What are your outlets/hobbies?

[Lindabridge]

I used to love to quilt in my spare time, but that was before my vision became blurry( hopefully a temporary side effect from the Prednisone which I'm tapering off).  Now  that I am retired, I take my dog for long walks, read the newspaper from cover to cover, and play duplicate bridge at least three times a week.  I find that playing bridge keeps me focussed on the cards, rather than on my swollen glands and dry eyes.  No one cares if you take a break to put wetting drops in your eyes, since most of the players are over 60 and suffering from dry eye whether it's Sjogren's or not.  I'm also taking a film course at a local university that has a continuing education program for adults.

I try to keep a positive attitude, no matter what.  I act as if I'm going to heal, even though it may take forever.

[Lou]

Hello Everybody!

I have a lot of hobbies and a lot of things I would like to try out. I going to list:

1. I love my pets and join a lot taking care of them (my dogs and my cats).
2. Basic gardening.
3. Travel when my body an my bank account decide I can 
4.Do-it mayself proyects. I love to give second chances to things or other utilities.
5.Reading, watching series or movies at home (cinema it is very expensive!).
6.Eating something outside or take a coffee or a cup of tea.
7.Investigate about a topic that awake too much interest in the cloud.
8.Enjoy the nature, smell the air at the evening, the grass has just cut, walking on the sand of the beach, etc.

I only need more energy to enjoy these and more than I don´t list 

Hugges!

[Navigator]

What an interesting question.

I am retired so I have time to regroup if needed.

My most favorite thing is to walk in the local woods....I live in suburbia so not like Yellowstone or anything.

I have become addicted to Mah Jong .  A friend insisted I learn and it is a weekly opportunity to get together with the ladies.   I like it because it is relatively easy to learn, it is not a partner game so if you lose it is only you who lose, and it is all about seeing patterns.  i also do not want to have to play three days a week in order to get good at it...like I was afraid Bridge would require.  Once a week is fine.

I knit...my mom was an amazing knitter.. I am a learner. I have graduated from baby hats to baby sweaters (no ...three daughters no marriages yet...so it is purely for learning. I am saving them though in case a grand baby does appear someday.)

:Love reading, and I volunteer on a couple of non profit boards to keep my mind more active. I like to feel useful.

I have the benefit of being retired so when I get super tired I can hunker down with knitting or a book.  My husband sometimes does not appreciate the level of fatigue with this. 

[Cricket]

I have started to color in coloring books for adults.  It is a good stress reliever and can put it down when tired and pick right back up.  Watched a lot of youtube videos on different techniques, shading etc.  They sell a lot at amazon, Michael's, Target and Wal-Mart.

[BurntToast]

I dusted off my old descant and treble recorders and joined an adults' recorder group.  It takes up a fair amount of time practising which I do most days.  This summer I'm going to another ensemble at an adult college to see if I like it and maybe get lessons with them from September.  I am also planning to learn to play ukelele in September.  So at the moment I'm being very musical.

[susanep]

I also would love to have the money to have a little garden that was like my sanctuary. I have too much grass now with lupus and sjogrens to take care of, but would love to be able to walk outside to a little garden sanctuary to read, just think, or whatever.

Right now my nephew has been mowing our yard, but if he ever can't I guess it will just grow. I have a bit less than a half acre, but that is too much for me now.

I like to draw as in sketching whether I can really do it or not. I think I would like to learn and sketch little birds etc.that I would see outside.

Most days If I can put something like a tv dinner in the microwave for me and hubby is like a big accomplishment.

susanep

[bloodless]

Good question! I read a lot. I work in my garden. It ain't perfect, but I poop out quick. I crochet and knit occasionally. Watch movies! Yay!

[Wal]

Painting has saved my life and has become a bit of a new career for me. I was a social worker for over a decade. I don't miss the stress of it now, especially due to my health and small children. Hope you find something you can connect with soon!

[Nomad]

What a great question.  I loved the wall that looks like bricks! I am impressed and motivated reading all these great replies.  I have taken Spanish classes, but they have been difficult for me.  Sometimes, I'll do some Spanish programs on-line. I travel when I'm able.  I would like to do more creative things.
I've written articles and have been published in the past.  I've lost much of my oomph     
What a lovely group!

[irish]

I do things to my amazement because I am not accomplished in crafts. I like to color and it is a great stress reliever. Also, I have gotten attached to the cotton that is used to make potholders. The colors are so great. I make useful but not very pretty potholders. Also, I have been making an afghan to myself out of this yarn. It is the cotton and is a product that keeps one warm without making you get too hot.

I have a huge problem keeping my knitting and crocheting even. I go from too tight a stitch to too loose. Just makes a very uneven product but I still do it. I buy yarns on sale and have given my better projects to the grandkids or to thrift shops. I used to embroidery a lot but my fingers don't work so well anymore.

This year I have added watching and keeping up with politics to my list of hobbies. Can't always stand watching it on TV cause it gets old, but I love my smart phone and keep up with about 4 newspaper/tv stations,etc. This alone keeps me busy this year. Thankfully it will only be a few more months cause I am getting election fatigue. Irish

[genko_b]

Hi Folks:

Just saw this question; love it! I'm at the point of trying to remove activities from my life rather than add them, but find that if I think of daily activities in terms of enriching my life instead of being a burden, just about anything can become a relaxing and restorative project.

One of the main things I like to do is gardening, and I'm researching simplifying it and making it lower maintenance. Also cooking - exploring new cuisines and ingredients. And I just recently went back to Pilates lessons to strengthen my body core, in addition to regular walks. The thing these all have in common is that I am learning something new and they keep me moving. Of course the activity level goes up and down with my body strength.

Take care,

Genko