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Do you get a chance to talk about your special interests?

Oakling

Outside of this space, do you ever get the chance to have a conversation about the things you find interesting?

There are a few things I’m really passionate about (rocks, minerals, wood/tree species and grain patterns, traditional joinery techniques, wood turning, strength sports etc.). But whenever I try to talk about any of them I either get the impression that people are uninterested (which may be the case for my niche interests), that I’ve targeted the wrong audience or, even more interestingly, people come out and directly comment on how boring my interests are (even in jest, but with a perceived layer of truth hidden).

Just be yourself they say… but obviously don’t actually be yourself!

Id love to actually speak out loud about my interest sometimes, but just haven’t found anyone interested enough.

Parents

  • Not as much as I used to when doing a PhD in my then special interest, but I had to drop out due to health and stress issues.

    I am currently most into languages especially Biblical ones, so I get my weekly lessons in those, though there has been a pause over the holiday. Also in a couple of fb groups for them. But I am having to pause modern Greek due to life stress at the mo which is not ideal as there is more stress and less outlet as not enough time and mental energy for both. Most of my family let me say a little bit about it, maybe if I have come across an interesting word, and sometimes our friends show an interest, also theology, but I do have to be gently taken off my hobby horse after a while or I will ride it for hours.

    I have in the past found groups which share my interests, whether medieval re-enactors or fibre arts or writing group. Not going to anything since covid though.

    Your wood interests might work well in a re-enactment group, have you looked into those? Usually they are full of odd people, most likely ND in various ways. But you might not like history or dressing up in historical costume. I'd have thought there were groups for woodwork, certainly I have seen youtube videos on related subject. I love watching wood turners make stuff on youtube! Also people build or renovate old cabins or little houses by hand in remote places. Some of those video channels have a bit of community going in the comments section.

    I think your interests sound interesting. I used to collect rocks and minerals as a kid and tried doing geology as my degree, but there was too much maths in it. And I like trees, it is fun to identify them out on a cycle ride. Wood working is very useful as well. I am not as interested in strength sports as such, but I have recently started watching climbing videos and find it interesting when they do strength tests. Not sure why I watch those as I am too physically disabled to ever climb - I struggle with the stairs!

    I find some subjects too dull to want to listen to people talk about them (ball sports or certain popular TV shows for example) but there are things I am not myself interested in a lot but still enjoy listening to someone passionate talk about. I would listen to you talk about your interests if we ever met.

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  • Not as much as I used to when doing a PhD in my then special interest, but I had to drop out due to health and stress issues.

    I am currently most into languages especially Biblical ones, so I get my weekly lessons in those, though there has been a pause over the holiday. Also in a couple of fb groups for them. But I am having to pause modern Greek due to life stress at the mo which is not ideal as there is more stress and less outlet as not enough time and mental energy for both. Most of my family let me say a little bit about it, maybe if I have come across an interesting word, and sometimes our friends show an interest, also theology, but I do have to be gently taken off my hobby horse after a while or I will ride it for hours.

    I have in the past found groups which share my interests, whether medieval re-enactors or fibre arts or writing group. Not going to anything since covid though.

    Your wood interests might work well in a re-enactment group, have you looked into those? Usually they are full of odd people, most likely ND in various ways. But you might not like history or dressing up in historical costume. I'd have thought there were groups for woodwork, certainly I have seen youtube videos on related subject. I love watching wood turners make stuff on youtube! Also people build or renovate old cabins or little houses by hand in remote places. Some of those video channels have a bit of community going in the comments section.

    I think your interests sound interesting. I used to collect rocks and minerals as a kid and tried doing geology as my degree, but there was too much maths in it. And I like trees, it is fun to identify them out on a cycle ride. Wood working is very useful as well. I am not as interested in strength sports as such, but I have recently started watching climbing videos and find it interesting when they do strength tests. Not sure why I watch those as I am too physically disabled to ever climb - I struggle with the stairs!

    I find some subjects too dull to want to listen to people talk about them (ball sports or certain popular TV shows for example) but there are things I am not myself interested in a lot but still enjoy listening to someone passionate talk about. I would listen to you talk about your interests if we ever met.

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