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Struggling with Hobbies and Depression

kiwiz

745d

Any advice on doing & enjoying hobbies again? I’ve always struggled with this on and off because of depression, but this has been the worst. I like to draw and I still feel inspiration but the motivation is gone the second I grab my pencil.

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18

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Depression

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    • CactusCat

      737d

      @kiwiz I'm so glad it helped! I totally get that pressure... Especially since everybody now seems to be turning their hobbies into side hustles--it starts to feel like there's a need to compete. I struggle with it, too! But your hobbies are YOURS. For your enjoyment. When it becomes momentarily unenjoyable, you deserve to take a break from it.

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    • Kid

      743d

      This has happened to me for years on and off again with my art as well. I take art more seriously because it’s something I truly do love to the core. I think back on the many years I’ve had a passion for art and it hurts thinking about how my depression has halted my progression in it. I just can’t be consistent and get myself to just do it.

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    • konijntje

      743d

      SAME. I'm trying to keep things out and visible so I might see them and pause for a bit to do a little (like, just practice a page or two on the piano for a few minutes, or try to draw just one thing). I have ADHD, so if supplies aren't visible, they don't exist, so I keep supplies in clear or wire bins so I can see what I have and could go do. I have also started writing "hobby" on my to do list for the day and list out a few options of things I could do (e.g. piano, paint, draw, work on one trick with dog for her trick title, Google an accessible walking/hiking path...) so that it's visible to me to actually try it, which motivates me more because I like seeing my to do list with everything checked off. So now I add pertinent self care things (not just hobbies, but like...did I shower? Make my bed? Take a walk with the dog? Watch a new episode of a TV show that just became available? Make sure to eat at least two actual meals? Drink water? Stretch or exercise? Etc) so that helps remind me what I can do and gets me going so I can cross it off my list

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    • xSkyGemx

      744d

      What I did was use my depression as fuel. I would draw depressing pictures and write depressing poems but I was still doing something I loved. Eventually I was able to do more uplifting hobbies that made me smile. Use the hobbies as a form of therapy.

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      • kiwiz

        743d

        @xSkyGemx Thank you this is great advice! Maybe i’ll try keeping a small sketchbook & pencil with me and just go for it when I need to vent.

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    • AudaCity

      745d

      I used to try and just spend 5 min a day doing a hobby and then if it went well I'd keep going and if not I'd stop for the day. Helps keep up the muscle memory at the very least

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      • kiwiz

        743d

        @AudaCity That is a great idea thank you! Might be easier to initiate without the pressure of commitment

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    • Elise_Laura

      745d

      Go through the motions and eventually you will feel enjoyment again even for short bits and then longer

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    • itsonlyemily

      745d

      Same.

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    • itsonlyemily

      745d

      💕

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    • ShelbyLane

      745d

      Oh gosh I'm right there with you! I enjoy making all kinds of things a a couple years ago found a new craft working with resin and spent a couple hundred dollars on supplies and I haven't made 1 thing! And I love crafting and used to spend all my free time doing crafts and now I have nothing but free time but no drive to do anything. I wish I could give u advice but I'm clueless. Hope u find your inner strength!

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      • kiwiz

        743d

        @ShelbyLane Oh my gosh, same experience too!! 😅 Aside from drawing I also really enjoy crafts and I keep spending so much on supplies but then.. They just sit there. My only trick to get myself started on a craft is to pick it up while i’m watching something, i’ll wanna be doing stuff with my hands so it’s kind of tricking my brain into initiating it lol. Thank you very much, i’m glad i’m not alone in this but I hope you find your strength too 💛 we’ll get through it!

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    • Zozo_ollie

      745d

      I love going to the park and drawing the things I see. Going outside brings my mood up especially when I'm feeling really depressed. 🤗

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      • kiwiz

        743d

        @Zozo_ollie I love going outside too! I like taking pictures. Im definitely gunna try this, thats a wonderful idea 🤗 💕

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    • CactusCat

      745d

      You can't force it. Try to think of the things that normally inspire you and surround yourself with those things for a little while at a time and ease into drawing from there.... You might need to ride it out for a while, though, before feeling interested again. It's okay not to feel into it. In the meantime, just focus on asking yourself what you need in the moment.... Even if it's simple, what can make you feel 5% more comfortable? Taking care of yourself is most important. Your hobbies will be ready for you when you're ready to come back to them. It's tough on the waiting time, but you WILL get your interest back.

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      • kiwiz

        743d

        @CactusCat Thank you very much, that is great insight and advice! I saved this comment to look back on in the future because it really resonated. I fully agree and i’ll try to keep this in mind. I think theres a pressure to keep up with others who do the same hobby

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        • CactusCat

          737d

          @kiwiz I'm so glad it helped! I totally get that pressure... Especially since everybody now seems to be turning their hobbies into side hustles--it starts to feel like there's a need to compete. I struggle with it, too! But your hobbies are YOURS. For your enjoyment. When it becomes momentarily unenjoyable, you deserve to take a break from it.

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    • Bmanlittle

      745d

      I do the same thing with my drawings, my therapist said to me that the best thing to do is to do it anyway and it might just snap you out of it

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    • MiyaMotions

      745d

      Ik what u mean. This happened yesterday when I went to practice a dance routine. I got there, and left like 20 min later cause I wasn't motivated. I just wasnt really happy to do it like I usually am

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☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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