Friday, September 18, 2015

Hobbies Can Be Calming

Crochet

Have you ever had such a bad day that made you want to scream? I'm sure you have. We all have bad days from time to time. Some of us may have anxiety or depression. Some may be parents. Jobs can cause a lot of stress too. Having a hobby can help reduce stress and calm your soul. I think of hobbies
as a form of therapy. You don't have to scream or talk. You can create something, paint a picture, make some clothes, build a table, play an instrument. There are so many different activities that we can take up as a hobby. You can even collect things. My son likes to collect Pokemon and Lego Sets. Creating his own Lego or Hero Factory figure is therapeutic for him. My husband enjoys playing Star Wars The Old Republic. Many people criticize video games, but I find them to be a great form of escape. 


Needle Felting

One of my favorite hobbies is crocheting. I have a yarn problem. I'm not sure what it is but maybe the softness of the fibers. Bulky yarn is great and unwoven wool too. I think the repetitive nature of a pattern is soothing to me. Needle felting is fun too. It has a repetitive poking sensation. Don't worry, I won't be making any voodoo dolls. 

Some of my other hobbies include paper crafts, collecting cute toys, and most any other type of craft. When I was younger I enjoyed dance. Being shy and introverted, dance class would be a challenge but in the end it made me happy. 

I think hobbies are also a great way to meet new friends. But, if you are an introvert like me you may want to do your hobby alone. Being a mother of two little minions can be overwhelming. Alone time is precious. Doing something for yourself is so important. 

Do you have a hobby or a way to relax? Let me know, I would love to hear new ideas.


43 comments:

  1. So believe it or not blogging is the Hobby that relaxes me. That or watching some shows on food network, hgtv, or the travel channel. My boyfriend and I usually do that before bed to wind down.

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  2. I'm a knitter, crocheter, and reader. In fact, one of the things that keeps me interested in my reading hobby is reviewing the books on my book blog. But when I'm stressed to the max or can't sleep, I often turn to knitting or crocheting as the repetitive motion relaxes me.

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  3. *deep sigh* How I wish I could crochet. Or knit. After 30 years of trying, I just have to face it - it's never going to be "my thing"; I have always used colouring books as a way of de-stressing, and also blogging/writing and creating mixed media collages. But I really love the idea of crocheting as I have this romantic notion of making beautiful heirloom throws and bedspreads for my home, and that of my family!!

    With blessings, Callie - London, UK #blogelina

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  4. My unexpected 'hobby' therapy has become colouring in! It started for me when our son had a globe with just the outlines of the countries & a pack of pens to colour them in. I started helping him & eventually took over!
    It has a lovely calming effect, it doesn't matter if you have to stop in the middle of it & costs very little. Maybe it's just the big kid in me but I have asked for a colouring book & pens for y birthday.

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  5. I have a couple of relaxing hobbies. I still love to color in coloring books with my kids. It soothes me. I have never learned to knit or crochet, but I do cross stitch. Unfortunately it is not in "fashion" these days, but I used to love to do it. My ultimate relaxation is when I am jogging. I am a new runner at 37 years old, so my knees don't love this newfound pleasure as much as I do. But I do believe I am addicted to the rush of endorphins I get when I complete a run.

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  6. I so want to learn how to crochet. My Mom used to, but I never had the chance to learn from her before she moved away. I love the heart that you made - it's adorable!

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  7. What a wonderful surprise to see such a terrific post! The yarn caught my eye immediately. I have used crocheting as therapy. One year I crocheted about 14 scarves for co-workers.... it was a marathon! This year I am planning to find donated yarn so I can crochet some scarves for the charity that A.C. Moore supports. I will enjoy that :) Thanks for a post that made my heart smile :) #blogelina

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  8. I tried to learn how to crochet two different times but I can't seem to find it relaxing. My sister loves it but I can't figure out how to relax my shoulders or any other part of my body. Blogging is relaxing for me and gives me a way to get my thoughts out. I recently started coloring again and love it!

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  9. I love reading, spending time on Pinterest and listening to music. I have a chronic illness so it's good to be able to have things I can do even when I feel bad. When I'm having good days with extra energy I like baking, learning to play the ukulele and learning to sew.

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  10. I tried to learn how to knit, but soon discovered that it was not by calling to knit or crochet. However, I do enjoy dabbling in paints, coloring in a coloring book with my children or just for fun on those really stressful days, writing poetry, and reading a good book is always a way for me to slow down and live in the moment!

    @Blogelina Commenathon

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  11. The thing I do to relax and destress is to play games on the computer! I'm a fan of hidden object games but I do have to be in the mood to play them. It doesn't leave me with much alternative because I read books for review. So I see that as a job rather than a hobby.

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    Replies
    1. Playing games on the computer is a lot of fun.

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  12. My blog started as a hobby but has become a business. I agree a lot of people have anxiety and depression and taking some time to do something for yourself is important.

    #commentathon
    Erica

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  13. Once I get over the hump of being frustrated at not "getting" something I love hobbies! I love couponing and have missed it so much these last few months as we have been just too busy. I also love planning our next vacation down to every last detail. My husband is not so fond of that one haha. I mean like figuring out how much gas will cost and when the dog needs to be dropped off and what we'll eat for dinner at 6:25pm on the third night etc.

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  14. My blog started out as my hobby. Now, I am so busy with it, I don't have time for other hobbies.

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  15. Needle felting looks interesting to try- I have never heard of this before! I enjoy mailing out coupons to friends/family that need them its relaxing for me. I like to listen to my sound machine with the waves in the background or watch a good netflix movie

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  16. Needle felting looks interesting to try- I have never heard of this before! I enjoy mailing out coupons to friends/family that need them its relaxing for me. I like to listen to my sound machine with the waves in the background or watch a good netflix movie

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  17. Blogging actually relaxes me but I also love watching tv, especially sitcoms, and reading books, particularly romance novels.

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  18. I never learned to knit, but I used to love to crosstitch and now I enjoy blogging and reading as my downtime. That and being crafty or restoration of furniture. :) Thanks for sharing! #blogelinacommentathon

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  19. My brother had an asthma attack and was online playing with his gaming friends at the time. One of the British players called an ambulance (in England emergency services are 999 not like the US and Australasia) and a paramedic came to him. Mock games and gamers? NEVER!!

    Hobbies, they keep you sane. You do not need to be an expert - you can do it and love it. People channel their creativity into Project Life albums, sewing, felting, knitting, scrapbooking, and the end result is all their own work made by themselves. I can think of nothing more awesome than this!

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  20. One of my most recent hobbies is blogging:) I used to dance a lot and it was the best therapy for me because I didn't realized how great it was for me until I stopped. Hobbies are very good stress relievers!

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  21. My first love is reading. After that I like to sketch or work on a simple craft project. I want to give knitting a try though. Not sure for how long it will last;)

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  22. I'm actually looking to learn how to knit and/or crochet. One of my hobbies is Ballet. I've been taking class since I was little, but then stopped when I got married and had kids. I decided I missed it too much, so I'm back to class and loving it. Hobbies are wonderful therapy!

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  23. Um, yes I am the mother of four little minions, and I love my hobby/craft time when I can find it. I think there is something very therapeutic about touching things that taps into our brain and emotions in a way the digital world can't. I also love working on a project and seeing it completed, finished, in a way that dishes or laundry are never done!

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  24. I am actually a closet crafter unfortunately. Life has become so hectic that I use any of the kids projects to release my inner crafter. It is very important to have a release and I think that I will follow your suggestion and find time to just get away and create!

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  25. For many years, my calming hobby was scrapbooking. It has now evolved into gardening and walking while listening to podcasts. I know so many people who find knitting/crocheting therapeutic and calming. #blogelina

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  26. My two favorite hobbies right now are reading and blogging. I know a few people who love to crochet and it seems like it would be a relaxing hobby and you also can make cool things with it.

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  27. My hobby is reading, or enjoying HGTV or the FOOD Network. I want to learn to knit and crochet, I am searching for lessons in my area!

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  28. Unfortunately, I don't have any hobbies but I occasionally make small crafts for my home, but that's not often. I guess my relaxation outlet is my blog. That's probably why I enjoy writing so much, it relieves the stress.

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  29. I spend a lot of timing reading and writing (I'm blogging and writing a novel). I also enjoy video games when I have time, and I LOVE to travel.

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  30. I don't have a crafty hobby as of yet, but this post certainly makes me want one! Great post, thanks for posting :) xxxx

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  31. I so agree. Hobbies are great to have. I love to crochet. I just moved across country and decided to taking a knitting class. I love learning something new plus it helps me to meet others.

    Jen
    www.conversationsattheironingboard,com
    (sorry I had to comment under my sons account)
    #blogelina

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  32. Everyone needs an outlet to remove themselves from the stresses of life. Reading, blogging, and photography are my de-stressors. You are right though. Hobbies are very calming.

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  33. I used to crochet when I was young and I need to start up again!

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  34. One of my main hobbies is baking. It relieves so much stress, and it's always nice to try something new for family dinners.

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  35. My hobby used to be playing the piano, but I haven't done much of that lately. I guess reading or blogging would be my hobbies now. I'd love to learn to crochet someday!

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  36. Pretty pictures. You have some fun hobbies. I used to scrapbook, craft and make cards but I never seem to have enough time in the day anymore. Reading would be my biggest hobby right now.

    Brooke @ Brooke Blogs
    #blogelina #commentathon

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  37. I love what you have done. I am learning to crochet, and I love to papercraft. I have definitely found crafting to be a way to meet some great people!

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  38. I always wanted to be someone with a "hobby" but I cannot say I am. I guess my blog and my crazy couponing is my hobby? I love couponing and saving money so that's where my passion is and why I started my blog.

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