Hello

Hi everybody,

I've never used an online forum properly before. I've recently been diagnosed with Aspergers, so I thought now might be a good time to try it out. I'm interested in meeting and getting to know new people on here. It would also be great if I could assist other users on the forum. I enjoy studying philosophy and gaming in my spare time. I have recently been trying to find a new hobby. Look forward to hearing from some of you and having a chat.

Hollie

Parents
  • heres some I have helped auties with

    model trains ( pick a gauge )

    playing chess ( serious one )

    remote control aircraft and/or drones ( racing and/or fun )

    model building ( eg ships models of towns, ports etc serious money in this if u want clients ) talk to a guy on here called Plastic

    board games fantasy and classic ( 80% autistic - some clubs )

    wire trees some with jewels ( can be a business )

    carving , wood turning, lathes routers ( I am helping my autie nephew build a life size R2D2 )

    Everything Titanic ! 

    Cars

    motorcycles

    vintage car / motorcycles

    jigsaws ( very calming )

    adult colouring in ( very calming )

    people who build model working engines ( check Youtube amzing stuff )

    science ( do a course on a science subject )

    Astronomy  ( join a club and see what happens )

    Photography another biggee for auties ---  My nephew drives all over for a photo --- he then created a calendar which he sold ( at a loss ) but hey what a beauty.

    Art ( painting ) such a big area for autistic people to express themselves especially abstract painting ( i do some in here )

    Lego models designing and building 

    reading of course 

    quizzing in a team or solo

    my hobby is now meditation ! which has improved my mental health greatly !  ..... but autistic people generally stay away :(

  • Thank you for the list of hobbies that you have helped other people with, Aidie. I think it'll be really helpful when it comes to me finding a new hobby. I'll let you know what I decide to pursue. I've been interested in meditation for some time, but struggled to find where to start with it all. Do you have any advice? Also, do you play a musical instrument?

Reply
  • Thank you for the list of hobbies that you have helped other people with, Aidie. I think it'll be really helpful when it comes to me finding a new hobby. I'll let you know what I decide to pursue. I've been interested in meditation for some time, but struggled to find where to start with it all. Do you have any advice? Also, do you play a musical instrument?

Children
  • Thanks for the info, Aidie. I like the sound of mantra meditation and I've heard of mindfulness before. Candle staring also sounds interesting. Does Zen meditation have any relation to Zen Buddhism? I studied Zen Buddhism briefly at university as part of my Buddhist Philosophy module.

    It's cool that you used to play a fife. I think I'll need to start learning a new instrument because it's not practical for me to play drums at the moment.

  • search for guided meditations in Youtube sit in a chair and follow the instructions. Try a different every day until you find one you like. Once you find one you like repeat it every day while looking for a second one to add.  I converted teh ones I liked to MP3s and played them everyday when I could on a MP3 player + headphones.

    types of formal meditation to read about or search for 

    1.guided 

    2. Mantra  simple once u learn how to do them u can use them everywhere

    3. focus - i liked candle staring --- improves concentration

    4  mindfulness - mix of body scan + breath following many learners start here

    5  breath following  --  Zazen ( ZEN ) is part of this group. serious meditation. I read about Zen all the time 

    5b moving meditation such as walking meditation or "Mediation by doing" ( part of ZEN ) eg knitting / jogging / running / adult coloring in / jigsaws / dancing / playing music /yoga is a mix of moving/meditation

    6. non-dual   --- I love these guys and I am still learning about what they are saying --- stay away until u have have experience of 1 - 5 they will blow your mind to quickly

    warning  ---- dont exceed 1 hour of meditation per day or 10 hours per week without having a mentor/teacher/  -- some people over do it ! (me !)    

    I used to play a fife ! small simple flute. made by Yamaha.