Finding a Hobby That Works With Your Limitations
It’s heartbreaking watching your body slowly deteriorate and transform into something you don’t even recognize anymore. Many of us used to be healthy and active-—I know I was. I could get lost in myself being surrounded by nature, spending hours going on hikes or long walks with friends. That changed when I got ill, as I’m sure had also happened to many of you. When this happens, we become unsure of how we’ll be spending our time with these newfound limitations.
What exactly are you looking for?
Do you want something that will help you wind down? Are you looking for a sense of community? Maybe something to do with your partner? Each person wants something different, and there are so many different hobbies out there for whatever it is you are looking for. You can never go wrong with Google! One of the first things I did when I got sick and lost the ability to be as active as I used to was search on Google “hobbies to do from home”, because I was specifically looking for things I could do from the comfort of my couch on days where my fatigue really set in.
Be willing to try something new
The most important thing to remember is that you must be willing to try things you haven’t before. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy or expensive. It could be something as simple as adult-colouring books. Over the last year I’ve found video games to have helped me get through so much. I have games that help me on overstimulated days when I just want to relax, and I also have games that I can play with friends which give me that sense of community that I’ve missed so much from being homebound.
You don’t have to be perfect at it!
Sometimes with starting something new comes the pressure that if you’re not good at it, you shouldn’t be doing it. To put it simply, don’t overthink it! If it makes you happy then go for it. You don’t have to do it perfectly to enjoy it and there’s no reason for you to feel like you need to impress anyone because, this is meant for you after all. I just recently started streaming, and no I may not have a crazy PC set-up like most gamers, but even just being able to capture some fun moments I’ve played with my friends that I can look back at has brought me joy. Remember, everyone starts as a beginner.
Remember that you can always pick hobbies back up
One thing is for certain: circumstances can change. Chronic illness has taught me just that. You may have found that you aren’t able to do the hobbies you once could, but that’s not to say it’s goodbye forever. It may just be goodbye for now. Try to find hope in the idea that whatever it is that you enjoy, you’ll find your way back to it eventually or find ways to make it more accessible for you.
Share your AxSpa friendly hobbies with other community members in this forum!
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