Does anyone have any hobbies or interests?

Okay, obviously, if we are true AvPDs, we all share one hobby: daydreaming. But I've found that hobbies and interests help me get through the day, even though, like everyone else, my personal life is largely in shambles. But I like to read, I like to watch sports, I like to learn about history....these are all things that can be done alone, and they are extremely beneficial in that they get my mind off worrying about AvPD.

I can't really gauge just how truly miserable everyone else on this board is, but to those who seem truly distraught at their situation-- have you ever tried to develop an outside interest? Not only do they distract your mind from the depressing reality, but, say in the case of my sports interest, they provide material that helps me participate in conversation with other people. I don't know...maybe everyone has already tried this and maybe it hasn't worked out well for everyone, but it's just something that's really helped me, and hopefully can help others.

I like to read, especially fantasy. My favorite author is Anne McCaffrey. I also love watching the older fantasy movies. My all time favorite movie is Dragon Heart. However, my main hobby is horseback riding.

I agree with you that having a hobby can help to relieve stress. I know when I had a bad day or just needed to be by myself there was nothing like going outside and spending time with my horse or saddling up and going for a gallop in an abadoned field. When I was on my horse, I was free to by myself and I diddn't have to worry about other people or anything in life really.

On a sadder note, I wrote that last paragraph in the past tense due to the fact that I lost my horse two and half weeks ago because of colic. I have had her for six years and due to my serious lack of friends, she was quite literally my best friend. I have had a really hard time getting over it especially because she was in a sense, my release from life; my safety net so to speak. I never had to worry about her rejecting me or hating me. She was always there for me.

Now that I've made myself cry. To get back on track, yes I have found that having hobbies that suit my interests and abilities has helped me to cope with my issues.

Now that I've made myself cry. To get back on track, yes I have found that having hobbies that suit my interests and abilities has helped me to cope with my issues.

reading your post almost made me cry too. but, for other reasons. you made me realize there truly are good people in this world. i don't know if you have avpd but if you do i hope you can get through it one way or another...

Hope, you get over this, Kerena. To lose an animal considered a friend and close one's heart is really hard.

That being said, I have a great dog and I guess, you could call him a hobby, but really he is part of the family.

In terms of activities, I used to read a lot of fantasy and fiction, but switched to doing Sudokus before bed several months ago. It completely takes my mind of worrying without triggering a fantasy that will occupy my mind for days.

I also participate in a choir which is very nice because conversation is possible, but not a must. As one of the other choir members said, a good place for social misfits. That's probably why everyone is quite nice and forgiving in that group. And of course, it's great to sing.

Apart from that, I sing solo, have been for a couple of years now. Very nice hobby, but triggers anxiety due to the performance aspect. Would love to get over the AvPD, in order to fully enjoy the whole thing.

I cannot think of anything else, but without my hobbies, I would feel completely cut off. Whenever I decide to skip a couple of choir practices, singing lessons etc, I can feel the isolation affecting my mind. It kind of shrinks the mental horizon, so that's why I stick with it.

Dragonfly.

Thanks for the support guys. It really means a lot. As for your question soulsearch, I do have AvPD but I'm seeing a therapist and have been doing a lot better lately.

I do a lot of artistic/creative types of things. Since I'm really not social, I tend to express myself solely through what I create.

I enjoy drawing, singing, reading, writing... independent things mostly.

Kerena, I am sorry to hear about your horse. It's a shame, some people just don't understand how much animals can mean to many people. I have a cat who I've had for years, and I talk to her like I would talk to any person. Now that she's getting up there in years, I know the day will come when I lose her and I'll probably be a wreck.

In answer to the original question, it seems like I don't have too many hobbies. Nothing much interests me anymore. The few hobbies/interests I have now are walking/hiking, watching DVD's, reading, history, genealogy (my own), surfing the net and that's about it. None of these really do much to take my mind off of dwelling on how empty my life is.

hmmmmm...I like TV, especially "check your mind at the door" crap like House of Carters or Beaking Bonaduce. Shows that need nothing more than a set of eyeballs and a functioning brain cell or two to enjoy. Is that a hobby?? I do like to tend to my plants. I have orchids, pitcher plants and some strange succulents that grow different varieties of very stinky flowers. I do get joy watching my babies bloom. My therapist asked what I would do with my days if I had all the $$ in the world and could do anything all day long. That was 2 wks ago and I still havent come up with anything.....drawring a blank on that one

With AVP myself, I try my best to fit into social situations with people who are younger than me and with people who are older with me,

I have guitar class in which I know the guitar teacher really well, but in the class their is a girl who must be 8 I think, and I with one adult who is about 40+, so there are three of us. I find this really good because I can relate to somebody who is mature, but also I don't have to worry about what the little girl thinks, it may sound stupid to some, but I think it works.

Also I have recently started learning Spanish at a nightclass, and the entire class is 40+ and they are really kind to me! greeting me when I come in, the paired activities, group activities for Spanish, I find that I become more confident in social situations if I do this! I would really recommend to anybody with AVP to try learning a language! It really does help, and step by step I am trying my best to overcome it!

Guitar Class and Spanish class! you can't beat it!

Always had a love/hate relationship w/ hobbies. Most of the time I don't have the energy to invest to get excited about anything. After I got married and had a son my free time went out the window. Now that my son is getting older I'm encouraging him to discover hobbies. He'a showing signs of asberger syndrome. He focuses on one thing for a long while then drifts off to something else.

Used to have hobbies but they turned into obcessions: comic books turned into Vampirella, wonder woman and other curvey heroines.


Smoking cigars got expensive.

Recently bought a couple of hand guns. One for me, one for my wife. She takes long walks with her friends. I feel better with her having a small handgun in her pocket.

I smokes pipes: have about 7 of them I think. That's pure enjoyment but not technically a hobby.

Like to read, study, work in my yard (have 10 acres to mess around with.)

So what IS a hobby?