ADD-friendly hobbies

[Enigma33]

In the new year I am going to try to take up at least one hobby. I feel that I need to get "out" of myself more and focus on some other things other than what is going on internally. I have hyper-focused on many things in the past, but those things have generally failed. I've been interested in growing African Violets, betta fish and other things, but I have failed miserably. I need to find something that does not depend on me to live!

My psychologist made a good point when it comes to hobbies and ADD- find a hobby that does not have its own schedule. Those of us with ADD don't need to worry about yet ANOTHER schedule with deadlines on top of what we already try to juggle. No fish water to change on a scheduled basis, fish to feed, plants to water, plants to repot, etc. Pick something that can be put down and picked up 6 months later, if need be. Like knitting. You can knit, and put it down for a few weeks, and there is no schedule screaming at you, or living being dying.

So, with that in mind, what are some hobbies that I could explore? I'm asking because I sometimes don't think of many options and stay too much in my comfort zone. Just as a reference, I am in the northeast, don't have much, if any, money to play with, and am not very active (though I'd like to be, but baby steps are needed!).

What are some of your hobbies or things that you would like to try? Please throw some things out here!! Thanks!!

[anonymouslyadd]

This is a good post. I have wondered about a hobby for a long time. I became very driven about school and success that i forgot about the need for a hobby. I love what your doc said about a hobby that doesn't require scheduling. You made a good point like we don't need another schedule with subsequent deadlines.

For me, it would be video games!

[AbsentMindProf]

A few random thoughts...

I would think many ADHD folks would do well at sports (sadly, I'm not one of them though).

I've always been fond of computer games.

What about creative hobbies? They say many ADHD folks are very creative.

[Enigma33]

I am not good at sports either I used to enjoy biking when I was younger, but never enjoyed team sports. I can't focus on video games, or television, or movies. Things like that just zap my brain.

I am creative... but get frustrated easily. But I haven't really tried anything creative since starting meds... I could try sewing, maybe.

[mADD mike]

You mentioned fish several times, how about fishing? It isn't too expensive, and I personally find it incredibly relaxing for my turbocharged brain. It really is therapeutic for me, even if I don't catch a thing. Just sitting out, enjoying a quiet lake, and appreciating the beauty around me really helps.

Another thing that I like to do is geocaching. It isn't too expensive to get started, you just need a cheap portable gps receiver. You would be shocked at how many things people have hidden all over the place. Finding them can be fun, and can really introduce you to some new places that you might otherwise not have known existed.

Photography is also fun. You don't need fancy equipment, as much of a good shot is in the eye of the one taking the photo.

As you can see, I enjoy hobbies that get me out of the house. They help my mood, get me active, etc.

Now, as far as indoor hobbies, that is something that I struggle mightily with. I hate the winter, as it really slows my hobbies to a crawl. If the weather is decent, we will do some hiking/geocaching though.

[peripatetic]

i don't know if you'd consider it a hobby, but i volunteer with my dog. we used to go to one of the hospitals here in the city, but we just finished training to do this literacy program where children who are struggling to attain basic literacy will take turns reading to him. we start that program in january. it's incredible to see people's faces light up when he walks in.

the other hobby i have is that i run trails several times a week. i ran cross country in school, too, and it's just stuck. aside from a decent pair of shoes you really don't need much in the way of equipment

[Enigma33]

hmm I do LOVE fishing... in the summers we get together with my husband's family and go fish for a weekend... I am the only female to go out with the guys... I just love it... That's not a bad idea, and I could go with my husband and share that time together. Do you have a boat? We don't have a boat or a car large enough to pull one so we'd have to figure that out.

I also love photography, but just haven't done much with it. Sometimes I am too anxious to GO places to take pictures, go for a walk, etc. But I think that may be different when the snow is gone and I am taking my meds. I'll have to keep that in mind.

I've heard of geocaching but have never tried or decided what I think of it. I think it would be worth and shot and I would enjoy it once I got going. I'll have to write that down too.

I did take my interest in fish and applied it to getting a job this past summer... I teach, and have summers off, so I got a job at Petco. The manager already knew me after complaining to their corporate HQ about the neglect of their fish in the fish dept. I was polite about it, but let them know what I thought of their poor care and employees. Well, apparently I didn't tick her off too much because she gave me a job last summer!! I worked my *** off there and she really liked me... but I couldn't prioritize to save my life, so the managers had to make a list of least to most important things to get done during my shift... I hadn't been diagnosed at that point. Anyway, I am totally off subject now!! Time for bed!! During the winter I could always go back there and work on the weekends if I am really bored, then start looking into hobbies in the summer.

[mADD mike]

Originally Posted by kuklachica

hmm I do LOVE fishing... in the summers we get together with my husband's family and go fish for a weekend... I am the only female to go out with the guys... I just love it... That's not a bad idea, and I could go with my husband and share that time together. Do you have a boat? We don't have a boat or a car large enough to pull one so we'd have to figure that out.

I also love photography, but just haven't done much with it. Sometimes I am too anxious to GO places to take pictures, go for a walk, etc. But I think that may be different when the snow is gone and I am taking my meds. I'll have to keep that in mind.

I've heard of geocaching but have never tried or decided what I think of it. I think it would be worth and shot and I would enjoy it once I got going. I'll have to write that down too.

I did take my interest in fish and applied it to getting a job this past summer... I teach, and have summers off, so I got a job at Petco. The manager already knew me after complaining to their corporate HQ about the neglect of their fish in the fish dept. I was polite about it, but let them know what I thought of their poor care and employees. Well, apparently I didn't tick her off too much because she gave me a job last summer!! I worked my *** off there and she really liked me... but I couldn't prioritize to save my life, so the managers had to make a list of least to most important things to get done during my shift... I hadn't been diagnosed at that point. Anyway, I am totally off subject now!! Time for bed!! During the winter I could always go back there and work on the weekends if I am really bored, then start looking into hobbies in the summer.

I actually combine my love of taking photos with my fishing. My wife likes to come fishing too. We get to spend quiet time together, which is nice, away from the stresses of life. We both take our cameras, and while we're fishing or if the fish aren't biting we take off a bit and take pictures of the cool things around us. When we get home, we hook our cameras up to our computers and see what we got to look at. It is one of the more fun things that we do.

Honestly, we once went even went geocaching in an area that we knew had some ponds. We always take our cameras geocaching as well, but this time we threw in the fishing poles as well, and combined all three. It was really fun.

Hey, if you really know aquariums and fish well, and wanted to make some money with your love for those things, perhaps you could start a small business taking care of aquariums. Many people have nice setups but don't know how to take care of them, and maybe you could teach them or do it for them. Some businesses have big aquariums in waiting rooms, and you could take care of those for them. There are people that do this, and make good money for the time that they spend, plus they get to do something they love.

[alan1]

Snowboarding - When going reasonably fast, I get a clarity of thought and focus that is extraordinary. My whole self is focused on getting down the pure white stuff. It satisfies the need for adrenalin.

Summertime - Biking and kayaking. I also used to build and fly radio control airplanes from kits. They also get you to focus and provide a good thrill as the aerobatic models go in excess of 100 - 150 mph. When building, Iget into hyperfocus mode and love that. It unclutters the mind for me.

[Lunacie]

Learning to play a hand drum is awesome, even better when you can play in a Community Drum Circle. Check out some of these.

[StoicNate]

I don't really have a hobby either.
The internet is my hobby for now.

[Rebelyell]

Funny I usually get 1 hobby and end up turning it into 3 things at the same time.Last summer I went jet skiing fishing,swimming,reading all in the same day but then again Im just a nut

[EshkaronsEngine]

the best RTS game ever

learning French
playing games on smart-phone
posting on forum
chatting
making friends

[razrbak]

For me: find and old car and breath new life into it. A first gen Miata for example- tons out there to be had, easy to find cheap. Parts are cheap, you and the huddy could work together on a fun project that will give you a fun little covertable to get around in on those sunny summer days.
... or you could pick-up jiu-jitsu.

[stef]

crochet or knitting!
totally soothing.