Hobbies that create a physical result at the end. 3D printing, building electronics / furniture, baking and more. When I have an end result at get to think; I made this.
Man, I love to bake when I need to slow down. It’s such a methodological process. It’s good for my brain.
And when I’m feeling squirrelly? Cooking. A hot pan can take a lot of abuse, and it can be fast and exciting.
I’m with you though — something physical. Something to appreciate. Another recent example for me is building out WLED projects, which marries tech with the physical world.
I feel the same way. I love things I’ve made myself. Then I look at my son and think “Ugh… I made that.” JK of course. My son is awesome.
Woodworking
3D printers. I enjoy tinkering and fine tuning hardware,firmware, and software. There’s somthing lethargic about taking things apart, maintenance, improvements and troubleshooting that I find very cathartic. The final results in the ability to print whatever I want.
Maybe just tinkering in general tbh lol. If somthings broken, I always see if I can figure out why and potentially fix it or/and improve it. No better feeling than bringing life back to something thats considered dead.
DnD - genuinely keeps me sane and is so much fun
I can’t choose one, but some are: Guitar, gaming, DnD, programming, kung fu, listening to music
I really like making stuff out of wood. There is something soothing about working with my hands, in silence, for long periods. And then there is the periodic thrill of using the table saw or a router and risking gross bodily injury. As time goes on I’m learning to appreciate hand tools more and more. The fact is that you can fit everything you need for a masterwork in a small suitcase, if you go hand tools.
I’m not very good at it all so I have yet to make much that I’d call “fine furniture.” But I have done a ton of utility stuff around the house and honestly my favorite thing to build in the shop is more things for the shop: benches, jigs, etc. Those just have to work - they don’t have to look nice.
One of my goals in life is to have a wood shop in my garage
All I can say is, marry accordingly ;)
Homebrewing beer and photography.
Is it true that making mead is illegal?
Homebrewing beer is state by state legislature, but legal in all 50 states now. That much I know. I know distilling spirits is illegal in any state, but not sure about mead to be honest. I can’t see it being much different than beer.
Tossup between playing squash or ATV riding.
Photography.
I won’t claim to be any good, but my ability to appreciate what it is I’m seeing has increased exponentially.
It takes me off of autopilot and gives me the ability to just see what I’d normally ignore as I go by.
Auto detailing
Throw in some earbuds and do some quick cleaning. Doesn’t have to be a full clean or wash. Something as simple as a 30 minute vacuum and wipe down of the interior is cathartic. It makes me feel proud of the things I have. And makes driving that more enjoyable.
Cycling, I would like to try rock climbing, but there’s nothing close.
Meditation. It’s weird to say it “out loud” because I tend to obsess about other hobbies a lot… to the point you’d think they mean the world to me. But actual joy, without that underlying doubt/pain that comes with most life stuff? Definitely sitting down, calming down, letting go, blissing out. Don’t get me wrong, I have no plans of giving up playing music with my buddies, watching movies with my family, etc!
Love this. That’s awesome. I’ve been meaning to meditate but life seems to get in the way. My cat also gets in the way
Totally hear that… Starting is the hardest because it can be boring at first. I’m sure you’ll get around to it someday 😺
Videogames or cooking/baking. I’ve done a lot of bread baking but made a cake by myself for the first time for 4th of July.
Congrats! You could have stopped at the batter stage and just eaten that
Crochet. I love making things for people I love. Currently working on an enormous winter blanket. I used to make chain mail, which was fun, but just wrecked my hands. Crochet is very similar but way easier.