What activities make you feel good about yourself

Like many, I often struggle to manage my mental health, self-esteem and negative thoughts towards myself. However, I do have a few activities that I enjoy that just help to reframe things and make me feel positive about myself.

What activities do you enjoy that have a positive effect on your outlook?

I just started exercise again after a 3 month break and it feels wonderful. I also picked up woodworking again after a similar break and have just completed making a new workbench. It’s not brilliant, but it’s mine and I’m proud of it.

  • I see that you can draw better than me.

  • I can't draw to save my life.

    My drawing ability.

  • That's amazing that you can do the whole show with music and visuals. I used to love writing music. I can't draw to save my life.

  • When I'm able to create an artwork/animation/music-piece and show it to others and see they enjoy it, is when I feel the most fulfilled, however it's only temporary self esteem.

  • There are things that give me  a temporary emotional boost, such as making a breakthrough  with my family history research, or getting a good score on a high range IQ test. A lot of the time though I feel useless  and worthless.

  • I've been to the London Aquarium several times. I was meant to go on Saturday, but was a bit much after a long day and so I had to leave my wife and nephews to it. I have always wanted to do Uber on the Thames, but they've always seemed quite busy when I'm there. I have to look out of the window on public transport, so the openness and scenery would be brilliant.

  • Used to love going to waterfalls, but seen them all around me now.

    Now I like going on a river ride on Uber

    I also like going to aquariums

    I also like seeing short dance shows

    Being in nature I like as well, today is a picnic lunch in a park with my dad. Couldn't be more perfect.

    I like visiting zoo's as well

    I also like going to church

  • That all sounds very cool! Nice one!

  • and raking leaves.

  • I love walking outside mainly in countryside but also nice streets. Exercise makes me feel happy and relaxed. 

    I used to obsess about art but have gone cold on it at the moment.  I am like that, maybe will obsess again about it in the future. 

    But never stop loving walking. 

  • I love sweeping!

  • The best photo iv taken is of the moon  and 2 other planets. I usualy see Jupiter, or Saturn most often both when the moon is visable and when it isnt. Jupiter although the brihtest from where i see it cause its gasy it produces a hazy apearance whereas Saturn and venus are the easiest those are my best photos iv taken 

  • I'm a huge space guy!!!!! I chose to take the optional modules astrophysics, space physics, and cosmology in my university degree. I used to have a telescope. What are some of the best pictures you've taken?

  • making playlists from my music library (current list is  called "Get up offa that thing" all funk and R&B for work out gym music)

    Being with wild animals or animals that are free from bondage.

    walking in a forest or the jungle.

    sitting watching water moving: ocean, river, bath water..

    watching spangled shiny surfaces in the sun, tilting my head this and that way.

    dancing in place. swaying from one to another foot. knitting hands together and apart.

    tasting minerals.

    rubbing feathers and other soft things along my skin. especially my lips, face, and inner arms

    listening to wind in ironwood trees.

    writing anything in prose or expository 1st person. 

    hearing about the joys of others

    learning languages.

  • theres alot of scences that i like but a few  worth mentioning that i really like in particular is earth science. I also like the science of space and astronomy aswell though and have a telescope for looking at the moon and the planets I prefer to take pictures through it if I use it but Iv looked through without taking pictures sometimes aswell. if I do take a picture of the moon I use a long lens that ataches to my m6 camara that i like to use for wildlife watching but if I dont have it i take pictures through a telescope instead 

  • Love snakes and ladders! Which science is your favourite?

  • thats cool. I like board games aswell. my favourate ones Iv played is snakes and ladders, Chess,   I also like other games aswell.  I also like science and history aswell 

  • I'm also an exercise guy. I go walking everyday and it's great. Cycling every weekend during the warmer months. I have a set of stretches that I do each day as well. I lift some weights every other day. I started exercising more regularly about five years ago and I've never looked back. I feel better and I sleep better. Exercising regularly does help me to be somewhat less pessimistic and cynical. Another thing, and this may sound strange, that I like doing is cleaning: whether that be cleaning the floors, clothes, dishes, etc. Makes me feel great. Really satisfying. I also love reading (particularly about the sciences, mathematics, philosophy, history, anthropology, and politics), cooking, board games (especially Scrabble!), card games, and building LEGO. I have a LEGO collection that sits in the corner of our living room.

  • Playing/Listening to music. Doing puzzles, doing magic tricks, 

  • I do. I’m always in pursuit of the best shape, size and texture for each specific mineral or rock. I never know what that is, but I have a criteria that fits each individual rock and I know it when I see it. It’s a very sensory thing for me. I think it demonstrates the beauty that nature creates, rather than something man made.

    Some rocks must be really stimmy, each one has their unique properties. Your criteria sounds really cool, you are always in search of the perfect rock. I thought your passion must be a sensory thing, maybe our different sensory experience makes us appreciate the beauty of nature more. There is so much diversity in the natural world, so you can find joy in the smallest of things.

    I have researched and I agree Australian opals, particularly the Yowah Nut is stunning. It’s beautiful.

    This is a picture just because it’s beautiful.

    Your collection of rocks and minerals will look great on your display shelf. 

    You are welcome for the link. You may be interested in the podcast Aucademy run called Especially Interesting. You can just info dump to other autistic people about your love of Australian opals. I am sure other people will be interested.

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge, it is very much appreciated.

1 2 3