One part of having a disability that isn't often talked about is that it can be lonely. I sometimes lack energy to go out, or I need to back out of plans if there is an increased risk of catching covid because I am dealing with some long-covid medical stuff. At various points in my life, I didn't really have friends to go out and do things with. Sometimes, I feel too embarrassed or stressed to go out if I need certain accommodations like bathroom accessibility or need help with a manual wheelchair. Having disabilities that aren't often talked about can feel really lonely and isolating in ways that don't have easy solutions. This blog, I wanted to talk about some of the hobbies I have found to be fun when I feel lonely. I have been trying to find more things I can do semi-independently so that my time at home can be a little bit more fun. For this list, I am going to avoid any hobby that involves watching something, so there will be no movies, TV shows, or Youtube.
I am in no means a gamer, but I do like some of the more casual world building games that don't involve fighting. Animal crossing is a Nintendo game that allows you to build an island, collect bugs and fish, and interact with animals on your island. I have been playing this game since 2020 and am nowhere near finished. Animal Crossing is my favorite game because kindness is emphasized with the animals on the island, and it is really relaxing to play as the focus is on turning an island into a community. Some of my favorite features include collecting everything I need for the museum, decorating and building my house, and attracting all of the villagers I want to live on my island. I have become very invested in my island, and am getting close to collecting all of the bugs you can collect in the game. I only have 3 left! I recommend a game like this instead of a more traditional game because nothing is timed, the player can make their own goals, and breaks do not harm gameplay. Animal Crossing can be stopped and started at any time, which is important for me in case any medical event occurs where I need to pause, I fall asleep, or decide I want to focus on something else. You do need a Nintendo switch to play, however I personally recommend one because the consol can be played while laying down and is not dependent on a TV to use.
I love coloring when I want to be creative but don't have the energy to do my main artistic mediums like sea glass art. Someone gave me this coloring book when I was in the hospital in 2016. I haven't colored every page, but I have done some pretty detailed pages. I like this book because it is also a scavenger hunt. Coloring is fun because I don't need a ton of hand dexterity, but it is fun to have something to concentrate on and be creative with. I have mostly colored these pages myself, but I have done some with friends while they are over to visit on days I am not feeling well. This is my favorite coloring book because the pictures are pretty, the images are intricate, but it still allows for creativity with coloring. I have also had some books with cats, and mandala like pictures. I think a coloring book is a good investment because one book will last a very long time, and is easy to travel with if needed.
3. Reading
I will be totally honest and say, I have not been reading as much as I used to because I got burned out with how much I needed to read for school. Now, I read academic papers for my research, so I am less likely to want to read in my free time. I also am in-between books right now. However, I am listing reading as a suggestion because I think it is important to make time for reading in some form, and take time away from screens. Once I actually start a book, I really enjoy it. It's also easy for me to read when I don't feel well because I can prop myself up with pillows, and read as much as I want. If you are looking for a new series,I recommend "The Inheritance Games" because I enjoyed the combination of a love story, and a mystery. Please let me know in the questions tab or over on Instagram at @Anniekrollblog if you have any good book recommendations!
4. Board Games
I live at home, so I can usually play board games with someone at my house, even if friends aren't over. I like board games when I am having a rest day because it is an activity I can do while sitting, it is not on a screen, and I can interact with another person. While my other hobbies don't include other people, I wanted to include one that can be done with others while still maintaining low impact for rest days. Some of my favorite board games are Sequence and Backgammon. Sequence combines cards and a board layout to try to get five tiles in a row based on the cards you currently have in your hand. Backgammon is a two player dice game that involves getting all of your tiles off of the board before your opponent. I like adding board games because I feel less stir crazy when I am able to think. Some games have apps you can download on your phone to play online if you are unable to play a boardgame in person. I personally have tried the backgammon app and while I would much rather play a boardgame with a person, it is better than not being able to play at all.
5. Pokemon Go
My last suggestion is not for days that you can't leave the house. I have been trying to walk outside more as part of my hereditary spastic paraplegia maintenance. I largely did this alone, and started to get really bored. Then I found a phone app called Pokemon Go, that allows you to collect and evolve cute mythical creatures associated with a Nintendo Game called Pokemon. Now when I go out walking, I have something fun to look forward to. There are tons of online communities surrounding this game, and I have really enjoyed getting interaction surrounding an activity. I struggle to make friends surrounding hobbies because I am not also consistent with those hobbies so having an online community has been a very low stakes way to get that community. This game was also popular when I lived on campus, so it was fun to have a way to connect with others. I am not the best at casual conversation, so having an interest that I could play alone while also having something that connected me to others has been a great way to expand my acquaintance circle. If you are someone who has to walk regularly, but does not enjoy it, I recommend Pokemon Go. It is easy to use, and I find the animated creatures quite cute.
6. Procreate- Drawing app (Frog I drew in the app below)
I bought an Ipad on Black Friday last year, and got the app Procreate. I find it is something relaxing to do when I am by myself, and can be as technical or not technical as I want to be. I mostly like drawing little animal cartoons, and try to remember some of the skills I remember from taking art classes as a kid. I think having a digital app can help make art accessible, because I don't have to set up a whole art project. This is similar to the coloring book, but I included this because it is digital art while the coloring book is physical art. I like this app in particular because it is under $20, there is a lot of customization tools available, and it seems to be very popular amongst my art friends so I have something to text people about now.
7. Poetry (and writing on this blog)
Poetry is one of the biggest ways I use art to sort through my feelings. I have a typewriter that I one day plan to type out all of my poetry onto, and somehow bind it into a poetry book. I like writing because I can do it in almost any location, and using any device. I personally like using poetry to talk about more "sad" or larger societal subjects, but I like reading other people's styles as well. I lump this blog into this section because even though it isn't poetry, I am able to use writing as a way to share my thoughts about what I experience to an audience. Finding different ways to write outside of fiction or a journal has really helped me feel creative while finding something I connected with.
I am trying to use the times where I haven't been feeling well to embolden myself to try something new, and some of the more creative suggestions I mentioned feel very new to me. I grew up in a lot of academic spaces, but felt out of sorts whenever I tried something outside of the classroom. I didn't start writing until my junior year of high school, and didn't take it seriously until my senior year. Finding new ways to be creative has been very important for me to find purpose when medical appointments and medical management feel like the center of my life. I have really struggled to figure out what my hobbies are, and still sometimes feel like I don't have something I can just sink into. I hope this list is helpful for you to find hobbies that feel creative and empowering for whatever journey you are on.
Thank you for reading this week!. If you have any questions, comments, or book suggestions, please reach out to me at @Anniekrollblog over on Instagram or Facebook. I hope to see you next week!
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