I just graduated optometry school and I feel like I’ve lost a bit of my identity. I didn’t have much free time to focus on the things that make me happy and now I’m lacking inspiration. I can’t work until my license is approved so I’ve had days of doing nothing since May 7. It’s been great but it’s starting to get boring; I can only play so much Zelda and doom scroll so often.
So whatcha got? What do you like to do? What are some hobbies or passions everyone has? What are non-drinking related activities to do with a partner or friends?
Have you heard of lemmy? It’s s pretty good time waster. Also, crochet, woodworking, reading, pets, duolingo, learning a fun cheaper instrument like bongos, ukulele, or cajon.
Haha no what’s that?!
I’ve spent soooo many hours on Reddit and now lemmy. It is so addicting for me and I’d like to stop being on my phone so much. I HAVE been wanting to learn Spanish. It would help in my professional life and my husband is Hispanic and his parents/extended family primarily speak it. Thanks for the reminder and all the other wonderful suggestions! I do crochet amigurumi but I burnt myself out a bit by trying to sell them.
For short Spanish lessons, I recommend the free podcast from Coffee Break Spanish: https://coffeebreaklanguages.com/coffeebreakspanish/
With friends: D&D or board/card/tabletop games. Pick a night and get together every week or whatever works for everyone. Play the same game or something different each week. Settlers of Catan and Cards Against Humanity are other games that jump to mind for me.
Generally: read, write/paint/draw/model/etc., learn to play an instrument, cook/bake, learn something new via podcast or videos. Most of these things can be done with others if you choose.
Hiking, cycling, photography, reading, video games, chilling in a hammock, going out to eat, cooking, writing, watching movies or shows, and obsessively learning about some new hobby I will inevitably lose interest in and then pick back up in a year or so.
Man I felt that last sentence in my soul. I am constantly picking up different hobbies and dropping them. I like the idea of cycling. My husband used to and he’s been wanting to get back into it so that would be something we could do together sometimes.
Exercise! If you can integrate that into your routine or even identity, you can get a lifelong benefit. But it has to be fun, since you want to make it a hobby. Try joining a dancing class, rock climbing, boxing gym, jogging group, or whatever you can do for fun. I’m unique because I play DanceDanceRevolution, which gives a explicit reason to improve my stamina and aerobic capacity. 45 minutes on a treadmill goes by fast with rhythm game music.
For partner activites, get into a boardgame group! I’m talking Carcassonne, Coup, One Night Werewolf, and an infinite many more. Some gamestores have a place to play TCGs and offer some demo games to play. There’s probably a group there or online looking for an player, especially in college towns.
Pick up guitar lessons.
I actually bought an acoustic to do some self lessons on during my externship year but couldn’t commit to one thing. I guess I need some guidance on the best way to approach it. Any suggestions for YouTube channels or books to follow?
If you’re going self taught, you can’t go wrong with JustinGuitar.com. He has some great lessons and it’s all free. You can upgrade and he has paid stuff, but I’ve never done them. If you are in the right place and can swing it, take some classes. If you find the right instructor it’ll be awesome. I didn’t take lessons for years but finally sprung for them. I don’t think it’s made a difference that I can tell but my wife says I’m paying much better.
JustinGuitar is the shit for free Find a School of Rock or an instructor to on-ramp faster.
