Journey Together
Evaluate
Assess Energy Levels
Evaluate Time Requirements
Evaluate Time Requirements
- Why: Chronic conditions often mean limited energy. Some hobbies may be too demanding for today, even if you love them.
- Tips: Ask: How many "spoons" does this take? (From the "Spoon Theory".) Choose hobbies that match your current energy—save high-energy ones for stronger days.
Evaluate Time Requirements
Evaluate Time Requirements
Evaluate Time Requirements
- Why: Time is precious, especially when caregiving or managing symptoms.
- Tips: Consider: Does this fit into my life right now? Could I try a shorter or simplified version? Think: 10-minute sketches instead of full-day painting.
Physical Accessibility
Evaluate Time Requirements
Physical Accessibility
- Why: Some hobbies require movement, tools, or postures that may not feel doable right now.
- Tips: Ask: Can I physically do this safely and comfortably? If not, explore adaptive tools or gentler alternatives (e.g., seated gardening, digital photography).
Mental Load
Cost & Accessibility of Materials
Physical Accessibility
- Why: Some hobbies require brainpower, focus, or learning new skills—which may be difficult with brain fog or fatigue.
- Tips: Choose hobbies that feel intuitive or familiar. Ask: Do I want to learn something new right now, or do I need ease and comfort?
Emotional Impact
Cost & Accessibility of Materials
Cost & Accessibility of Materials
- Why: Some hobbies soothe, while others may stir up frustration or self-criticism if expectations are too high.
- Tips: Ask: How do I feel during and after this activity? If it adds pressure or stress, adjust your approach or try something more restorative.
Cost & Accessibility of Materials
Cost & Accessibility of Materials
Cost & Accessibility of Materials
- Why: Chronic conditions and caregiving often come with financial constraints or limited ability to leave home.
- Tips: Ask: Is this affordable and easy to access right now? Look for hobbies using materials you already have—like writing, doodling, or simple crafts.
Social or Solo Fit
Stop/Start Friendliness
Stop/Start Friendliness
- Why: Some people recharge through solo hobbies, others through shared experiences—but both can be draining if mismatched to your needs.
- Tips: Ask: Do I want connection or quiet? Choose hobbies that match your social bandwidth today (e.g., online book club vs. solo reading).
Stop/Start Friendliness
Stop/Start Friendliness
Stop/Start Friendliness
- Why: Your availability may change daily. Some hobbies are easier to pause and return to than others.
- Tips: Ask: Can I pick this up and put it down easily? Choose activities that don’t require long uninterrupted stretches (like embroidery, puzzles, or journaling).
Life-Giving
Stop/Start Friendliness
Life-Giving
- Why: The right hobby brings some kind of joy, purpose, or rest—even if it's small.
- Tips: Ask: Why do I want to do this hobby? What do I hope to feel? If the answer is life-giving, it’s worth exploring—perhaps in a new or adapted form.
Explore
Ask Friends & Family
Online Groups or Forums
Online Groups or Forums
- Why: People love sharing what they enjoy. Their passion about their hobby might inspire you to try that hobby or something related.
- Tips: Ask: What hobby brings you joy right now? You might discover an option that can be adapted for your situation.
Online Groups or Forums
Online Groups or Forums
Online Groups or Forums
- Why: Connecting with real people doing a hobby can help you learn more—and feel less alone.
- Tips: Look for low-pressure Facebook groups, Reddit threads, or Discord servers on hobbies like journaling, fiber arts, or photography.
Craft or Book Stores
Online Groups or Forums
Craft or Book Stores
- Why: Seeing materials or books about hobbies can ignite interest and help you imagine what's possible.
- Tips: If going out isn’t feasible, try a virtual walk-through on craft store websites or use Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature for books on art, puzzles, or writing.
Watch Creative Shows
Watch Creative Shows
Craft or Book Stores
- Why: Sometimes observing others' creativity can plant seeds of interest.
- Tips: Try shows like The Great Pottery Throw Down, Abstract: The Art of Design, or Making It—all full of low-pressure creative inspiration.
Hobby Sampler Box
Watch Creative Shows
Therapeutic Hobbies
- Why: These kits let you explore a hobby without needing to gather supplies—ideal for limited energy or mobility.
- Tips: Look for accessible or adaptive options (e.g., Adults & Crafts Box, Let’s Make Art, or Cratejoy’s low-energy kits).
Therapeutic Hobbies
Watch Creative Shows
Therapeutic Hobbies
- Why: Some activities (like coloring, puzzle games, nature journaling) are both creative and calming—perfect for chronic stress or fatigue.
- Tips: Ask: What soothes me? Try something gentle like drawing, herbal tea blending, or beginner calligraphy.
Revisit Childhood Hobbies
Revisit Childhood Hobbies
Revisit Childhood Hobbies
- Why: Childhood interests often hold clues to what still brings us joy—now with a fresh perspective.
- Tips: Ask: What did I love to do when I had time just for me? Try a grown-up version of it—like painting rocks, writing stories, or making friendship bracelets. Here are more tips on how to rediscover childhood hobbies.
Pinterest & YouTube
Revisit Childhood Hobbies
Revisit Childhood Hobbies
- Why: Visual platforms let you explore many creative outlets without pressure—great for sparking curiosity.
- Tips: Search terms like “low-energy hobbies,” “creative hobbies at home,” or “hobbies with limited mobility.” Save ideas that feel exciting, not overwhelming.
Take a Class
Revisit Childhood Hobbies
Take a Class
- Why: You can sample a hobby without long-term commitment. It’s a safe space to explore with guidance.
- Tips: Try a painting class, Skillshare, Coursera, or YouTube for short classes. Look for terms like “beginner,” “slow-paced,” or “adaptive.”
Develop
Partner with Experience
Virtual Class or Workshop
Partner with Experience
- Why: Learning from someone experienced saves energy and gives emotional support too. It can feel safer and more encouraging than starting alone.
- Tips: Reach out to a friend, neighbor, or online contact who does the hobby. Ask: Could you show me the basics or share your favorite beginner resources?
Small, Achievable Steps
Virtual Class or Workshop
Partner with Experience
- Why: Chronic fatigue or caregiving duties can make learning feel overwhelming. Small steps reduce pressure.
- Tips: Create a simple skill path: What’s one thing I can try this week? (e.g., “Learn to knit a square” instead of “Make a blanket.”)
Virtual Class or Workshop
Virtual Class or Workshop
Virtual Class or Workshop
- Why: Structured guidance can help you grow faster—without needing to leave your home.
- Tips: Try platforms like Skillshare, Creativebug, Domestika, or YouTube. Look for “beginner,” “gentle,” or “adaptive” versions of the hobby.
Sell or Share Your Work
Sell or Share Your Work
Virtual Class or Workshop
- Why: Sharing your creations can build confidence, open doors, and offer a sense of contribution—especially when other parts of life feel limited.
- Tips: Start small: Give away gifts, post photos online, or try Etsy, Ko-fi, or a craft fair when/if you’re ready.
Share What You Know
Sell or Share Your Work
Share What You Know
- Why: Teaching is a powerful way to reinforce your own learning—and feel purposeful, even in small ways.
- Tips: Offer a low-pressure tutorial to a friend or group of friends. You might even create a short video or blog post to share your process.
Follow A Mentor
Sell or Share Your Work
Share What You Know
- Why: Instead of researching endlessly, following one trusted person makes learning focused and inspiring.
- Tips: Pick one creator on Instagram, YouTube, or a blog and learn consistently from them. Choose someone who shares accessible, encouraging content.
Adapt Your Hobby
Hobby Group or Co-op
Reflect on Learning
- Why: Physical or emotional limitations don’t have to end creativity. Adapting lets you keep going in a sustainable, joyful way.
- Tips: Try different tools or formats. For example: knit with chunkier yarn, write shorter poems, paint with seated easels, or bake in smaller batches. Additional resources for how to adapt hobbies.
Reflect on Learning
Hobby Group or Co-op
Reflect on Learning
- Why: Celebrating small progress builds confidence and helps you stay motivated.
- Tips: Keep a simple hobby journal. Log what you tried, what worked, and what you want to explore next. Even 5 minutes counts as growth.
Hobby Group or Co-op
Hobby Group or Co-op
Hobby Group or Co-op
- Why: Community can keep you inspired, offer feedback, and help you learn passively by being around others.
- Tips: Look for gentle-paced, supportive communities. Many art, craft, and writing groups now meet virtually and welcome all levels.
Legacy
Write Your Story or Reflections
Write Your Story or Reflections
Write Your Story or Reflections
- Why: Your experiences, lessons, and voice matter. Writing preserves your legacy in your own words.
- Tips: Start a simple journal or letter series. Use prompts like “What I want you to know,” or “My favorite memories of…” You could even self-publish a memoir or poem book.
Teach or Mentor
Write Your Story or Reflections
Write Your Story or Reflections
- Why: Passing on your skill deepens connection and keeps your passion alive in someone else’s hands.
- Tips: Offer to teach children or friends something you know—like ballet, an instrument, or how to sketch. Keep it fun and enjoyable.
Handmade Gifts
Write Your Story or Reflections
Leave a Digital Legacy
- Why: Handmade pieces (art, quilts, jewelry, etc.) carry your story, love, and presence. They become treasured keepsakes.
- Tips: To start, choose one person and one small creation—like a painted bookmark, hand-stitched square, or charm bracelet—with a note about what it means.
Leave a Digital Legacy
Donate Work or Materials
Leave a Digital Legacy
- Why: Sharing your creativity online via a blog, videos, or website gives others access to your thoughts and talents—now and into the future.
- Tips: Start small: record a video showing your process or post your favorite projects with personal captions. You might inspire someone you’ve never met.
Donate Work or Materials
Donate Work or Materials
Donate Work or Materials
- Why: Giving what you've made—or the tools you’ve used—can continue to bring meaning and beauty to others.
- Tips: Donate art to a care center, knitted items to hospitals, or unused supplies to local schools or youth programs.
Create a “Legacy Box”
Donate Work or Materials
Donate Work or Materials
- Why: Gathering meaningful hobby projects in one place preserves them for others to enjoy or build upon later.
- Tips: Include physical pieces, journal entries, or a flash drive with photos/videos of your work. Label each item with a short story or message.
Record Your Hobby Journey
Record Your Hobby Journey
Record Your Hobby Journey
- Why: Your voice and presence are part of your legacy—sharing memories, lessons, and encouragement can be deeply comforting. Here are tips for how to start sharing your story.
- Tips: Record short audio or video reflections like “Why I started painting” or “The best lesson I learned from sewing.” Share the recordings with loved ones.
Market & Sell Your Work
Record Your Hobby Journey
Record Your Hobby Journey
- Why: Putting your work into the world shows that what you created matters—and helps it live beyond you.
- Tips: Sell on Etsy or local art markets, or give a favorite piece to someone who’ll display it proudly. Include a note about the story behind it.
Collaborate with Others
Record Your Hobby Journey
Collaborate with Others
- Why: Creating something together strengthens bonds and spreads your legacy across relationships.
- Tips: Co-write a family recipe book, quilt, or shared artwork. Include names, dates, and stories.