Hobbies while depressed
Have you had any success with continuing to do your hobbies while depressed. Tell us your success story if you have one! How did continuation help? Did you fail several times before succeeding? How do you think doing your hobby would help you?
Please limit responses to 2 paragraphs or less.
I’ve found that hobbies using hands helps the best. Having to concentrate on what you’re working on helps to block out my racing thoughts and negative thinking. Learning an instrument would be good…I learned the ukulele (you don’t have to become great, just allow yourself to focus on the music) and wood carving.
I’d say I am inconsistent with my hobbies during my periods of depression. Ive tried setting up a calendar to mark the days I work on my hobbies or projects. That didn’t help. I think the best thing Ive done so far is not pressing myself to do it. To slowly allow myself space to do the things I love. Then the activities will flow naturally to a regular stable schedule. Just being gentle. My hobbies have been such a great outlet for my emotions and thoughts.
I can’t seem to. I’m in an episode now, and can’t bring myself to do anything other than sleep. I have a problem with using my hobbies in general though because I don’t feel like I “deserve it”. My therapist told me to try and use some coping skills during this time (self soothing of swaying/rocking & deep breathing which is simple enough that I can do right now).
One had things I thought I liked doing that actually just made me more depressed. And with though, so keep trying as best you can.
Personally I recently got into photography and that has been great. Easy to do anytime and it's actually not that bad to hire a model and rent a studio for a shoot. Many meetups that are cheaper and free too.
Find what you like that actually makes you happy. My 🪙🪙.
@jolly092021 aquarium and fish keeping. Lot’s more to it than you think. Will keep you occupied and entertained once you succeed.
@jolly092021
Some hobbies I stick with when depressed are typically motivating to get me "unstuck". I watch a lot of medical documentaries, practice sutures, paint/draw, and try to spend time with friends or animals. I volunteer at an animal shelter weekly and it really helps me to calm down and rest. Hope this was helpful!
