We choose our hobbies carefully and tend to pick ones that are enjoyable to us for differing reasons. I have a few varied hobbies and was thinking about how I ride my dirtbike when I am stressed, write or draw for creative satisfaction, restore bikes for accomplishment and cross-stitch or embroider for relaxation.

What do your hobbies do for you? Did you realize this when you chose to do them or find it out later? less

it keeps me from teaching children how to fly.#jkmostly I am a teacher in an urban district in the toughest school in an already tough district and if it weren't for the things in life that can bring me down from the ledge that my job puts me on every day I would probably be in a psychiatric hospital somewhere. less

Wow, indiechick, I am impressed! I had no idea about your job and I salute you for doing it!

As for my hobbies, they are things I am driven to do out of interest and talent and whether or not they bring me income, I do them because I like to and they make me feel good while doing them and after I have finished a project. Unfortunately, there is never enough time or money to do everything I want to, LOL! One thing that works in my favor about not being able to work is that if I can physically do something, I have the time to do it. Some of my hobbies are reading, playing musical instruments, silkpainting, printmaking, jewelry making, cosmetics (including making my own), theatrical costume design, organic gardening, prepping to be as self-sufficient as possible, knitting, embroidery, essential oils, making my own body care and cleaning products...the list goes on and on, LOL! Whatever I am interested in, I pursue! Oh yeah, I have to mention the sex toy hobby, don't I? I don't choose my hobbies carefully, I jump head first into anything I can that grabs my interest and I've been lucky, I guess, that what I am interested in has not been something like dirt bike racing which would require expensive equipment (well, beyond my price range, that's for sure). I like to pursue my hobbies by myself whenever I feel like it and in my own home. less

I KNEW you'd tell me something like that, LOL! I have no tolerance for being jarred around and I would definitely get myself killed in no time! So, nope, not gonna happen, even if the dirt bike fairy drops off all the required equipment. I might (big might), ride the bike around the block, but even then, I'd be afraid some idiot would mow me down in their car! If I lived out where you do, then I would be more likely to experiment, but not race them, you wild woman! You are right though, if I had a burning interest in it, I'd find a way. It doesn't draw me, probably because they are too loud for my tastes, that's all. I am definitely not an adrenalin junkie either, lol!

I am happy to talk about anything -- and at any time of the day, or night, as you know LOL! My "problem" is not having enough time, health and money to pursue all my interests as much as I want to. I find so many things interesting and fun! I want to do more bird watching and learn to track animals (no intent to kill them for food, I just want to watch them - in fact, I want to snuggle with them all, even though I know I can't, darn it!) I want to get into quilting and do more with beading and jewelry making. I want to do more with my calligraphy and paper marbling. I want to weave rugs and fabrics and basically do anything with making textiles and embellishment or adornment. I want to be a gemologist! I want to learn to tattoo because I have ideas for days! Oh, and I want to be an esthetician, makeup artist, hair colorist and hair stylist, antique expert, make stained glass and diachroic glass, design sex toys, become a chef, already passed my florist certification, but want to do more with it. Oh, and I want to travel and learn to speak a bunch of languages even though I suck at them! Study dance, sing opera, play a ton more musical instruments...see my "problem"? I find too many things interesting and want to pursue them! less