Do people actually like doing hobbies etc., or is it all for show?

I wish they were cheaper and it was easier to find stuff. If I'm going to start sewing again I need a new machine and the cheapest one that will do what I want is around the £300 mark. I had one of those cheap ones from the "middle of lidl" and have chewed the bobbin thread gears up after trying to sew a waistband onto a pair of throusers I was making, it ruined the fabric too, so that was £30 odd in fabric down the drain.

Sorry, Suzanne. I was just concerned.

Reminder Rule 6 No medical or legal advice 

Yes, I always advocate keeping a daily journal, even if it's a line or two.

Yes and I think that's best managed in morning times when mind is clearer and less tired. Writing down progress makes health clearer and more tangible going forward, 

ALM said:

Do a good job but you can do that giving 70 to 80%

Yes, I found that too, when I was working. You need to have a separate part of life to maintain mental well being.

Hi BeaE 

Totally get what you mean. Thanks for sharing! 

It's so difficult to have a hobby as it's so exhausting being at work, living in a neurotypical world and looking after yourself. 

After a day at work I need a lie down in a dark room for hours. Haven't been able to start or maintain any hobbies sadly. I did some mindfulness online for a while which was good. It's so difficult. 

I have no idea how people have time for anything outside of work and surviving it. 

Although I think the key is not giving everything to work. Do a good job but you can do that giving 70 to 80% . I'm just figuring this out. Not everyone gives 100% at work and that's fine and great. 

Maybe, in giving less to work, there is more left for other things. If you want to do a hobby. Or for other stuff. 

Hope that helps. 

Keep us posted on how you get on

A hobby, for me, is a favourite pursuit that provides entertainment.

I enjoy and engage in:

• Researching interesting subjects and themes online.
• Archaeology.
• Lifelong learning in understanding canine behaviour.
• Going for walks with my dogs.
• Understanding world religions.
• History.
• Reading.
• Observing nature.
• Meditation.

I actively engage in these activities alone for most of the time. I don’t do them “for show”.

I am not necessarily ecstatically happy all the time while I’m doing some of the things, but none of these things are ever a chore.

I don’t think hobbies are a necessity for everyone and people should be free to decide for themselves how they spend free time, even if that means doing nothing or ‘just being’.

I'm dyscalculic as well as not understanding what you're talking about, I mean I understand the indivual words, but not when put together. I also don't have any sense of achievement so "improving" as you put it is meaningless to me

I hear you that everyone is different, meaning everyone has their own individual number regarding sporting activities eg race times, no matter how fast or slow. Everyone can seek to achieve a better time. That usually cones with knowing yourself, having a good plan, give it a go and keep reviewing and improving. Less quantitative team sports can still offer something similar to above, or switching gears, I'm sure other areas like musical talents, cooking etc still offer growth opportunities. We can use our typical strengths such as self awareness, planning, resilience, analysing with numbers etc to achieve more, which can be satisfying. Ps. I'm sure your dog loves you no matter what! You're typically happier from doing and helping others...

They do? Being someone who's dog gives them a 'you really are crap at throwing, running and catching' and who dosen't do teams or groups, I'd have to disagree with you

It probably is if they want to know. I fit the criteria for TRD so my local mental health people just don't want to know. SSRIs & SNRIs don't have any effect. After being bounced from the secondary team as I'm not deemed to be a danger to myself or others and I can mainly function, they just don't want to know. I had a very long conversation with my GP who was understandably at a loss as there is a limit to what they can prescribe. So I'm on vortioxetine (SMS) which has a different mechanism. I've asked for something dopamine specific but they are outside the GPs remit.(Apparently)

Feel free to correct me if I'm incorrect but this is what I've been told?

Sporting challenges. Provide tangible achievements and processes to be refined with your attention to detail.

Do get a GP appointment as lack of dopamine can easily be dealt with, using medication.

Personally I don't get any enjoyment from anything. I don't know if it's a dopamine issue, I also have ADHD-i so that's a possibility.

I was diagnosed with depression decades ago as I just enjoy or look forward to anything. Whether it's Alexithymia or Anhedonia I just don't know, I'm desperate to try to fix it as I could do with a win right about now.

I have already replied and this subject made me think of this. I was thinking today with the internet, social media influencers and blogging. Around COVID people got more into hobbies and began montesing themselves on Youtube and other social media platforms. You always had people from all diversities who did this before. However, it seems that more neurotypical people now have hobbies on social media but for making money mostly and autistic people can do this to, but you might associate this before with autistic people. 

One of my current hobbies is building Gundam models, it gives me something to look forward to these days, and seeing the parts slowly assemble to resemble the complete Mobile Suit is a really fascinating process. Afterwards, I can pose them and put them on my shelves and feel proud of what I've done with it. Only issue is breaking or losing parts sends me into one hell of a spiral! 

What are knitting looms?

I enjoy working on my hobbies.  I love making different things with my knitting looms.

I focus on what i have achieved by the hobby.

Even when in an alexithymiic state I found myself able to review what I had created when gardening or model aeroplane making and reflect that my time spent had been succesful.

This helped me to identify happiness.

So I achieved happiness thro' the hobby (and relaxation, a change in the way I experienced the world etc..)  - maybe a good start.

Best Wishes

Phased