No longer able to pursue hobbies
Perhaps you’ve noticed that you’re no longer doing the hobbies that used to be important to you? Perhaps gardening, walking, playing sport, making music or other activities aren’t going as well as they used to. That can be upsetting. A hobby is often more than just a pastime. It provides relaxation, enjoyment, social contact and the feeling that you can be yourself. When hobbies fall by the wayside, your day can feel emptier. You may miss not only the activity itself, but also the people involved or the sense of fulfilment. It’s good to pay attention to this. Sometimes a hobby can be adapted so that you can still retain some of the enjoyment it brings.
What do you notice?
Being unable to pursue your hobbies can have a significant impact on your daily life.
You may, for example, notice that:
- you find it less enjoyable;
- you postpone or avoid your activities;
- you’re worried that your symptoms might get worse;
- you get tired more quickly whilst doing your hobby;
- you have difficulty sitting, standing, walking or using your hands;
- you miss the social contacts that were part of your hobby;
- you are sad about what you can no longer do;
- if you are unsure which activity is suitable;
- you have less structure in your week.
Perhaps you’ll give the hobby one more go, only to find it’s not what you expected. After that, the barrier to starting again may become higher.
