No, I’m not kidding you. Hobbies for invisibly disabled people add productivity to our lives. They fill our seemingly endless amounts of useless time—hours we must rest and cannot do anything else. Enjoyment results from hobbies while improving our mental health.
My Experiences
In the early years, I designed and created crafting projects. I could sit and craft when too fatigued to be up working. As decades passed, I crafted while resting in my recliner. Later, my arms weakened too much to craft at all, so reading became my main hobby.
I cannot easily hold a physical book because of my weak arms and back. So, adaptation. I use two staggered pillows and a lightweight board with rubber bands to hold the book. Thus, I can read almost any book. Now, though, I primarily read e-books.
I’ll share my reading interests. I mostly read Christian authors because I don’t care for coarse language or immoral situations. Fiction forms the backbone of my reading as it rests my body and restores my energy. I prefer romance and mystery, although I also like historical settings and westerns. I do read nonfiction on a limited basis. Biographies fascinate me. I research diet and illness and the art of writing.
I read the Bible six days a week, taking Sundays off. It is something I enjoy and desire to do. About age 25, someone challenged me to read the Bible through in one year, which I did. Since then, most years I’ve read the whole Bible, varying it by reading the chronological Bible, the Gospels every three months, the New Testament every six months, or Psalms and Proverbs every month. I believe this helps me grow spiritually.
And you?
Now you’ve read about my hobbies. You’ve seen the necessity of change through the years. And you’ve seen how the reading system had to be adapted.
What about you? Do you already have a hobby? Have you had to change it along the way? Do you need to modify the hobby to enjoy it?
What is a hobby? Dictionary.com defines it as “an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.” You don’t think you need a hobby? You don’t have the strength or time or ability to do one? Answer these questions and reconsider.
Why should I?
- To release stress and anxiety
- For relaxation
- So you can have fun
- To do something just for yourself
- For that sense of accomplishment
- To make effective use of time
How can I choose?
- Remember what you enjoyed doing in the past.
- Examine your time and abilities.
- Decide what you’re capable of, even if it seems tiny.
- Use imagination.
- Adapt activities.
- Enjoy yourself.
What types of hobbies are there?
- Collecting hobbies
- Indoor hobbies
- Aesthetic hobbies (painting, singing, etc.)
- Nature activities
- Creative hobbies
In closing
Other activities can also be productive and relaxing, creating a sense of accomplishment. Volunteer work. Friendships. Social media relationships. Writing a blog or book. Spiritual pursuits. All are an effective use of time. So, hobbies aren’t the answer for everyone.
If you have been feeling useless or like a failure, perhaps you have gained ideas from this post. I hope you can find something to fill your time, no matter how small it may be.
What hobby are you already doing?
Have you found something here to interest you? What will you try?
Investigate Further
Hobbyleads.com posts an engaging article about hobbies for disabled people.
Check out this post on “How to Build Fun Times into Your Life” for more ideas.
The Activities Dwellers Do page shows you hobbies invisibly disabled people do.
A “lightweight board with rubber bands to hold the book” – what an ingenious idea! I’ll have to try that. Cramping muscles in my hands are making reading problematic now and that’s the only thing close to a hobby I have.
I find I have zero time for anything enjoyable these days, unless it’s doing something with my mum. I took on doing a lot during the pandemic at home and I just lose so much of each day to being unwell that I’m constantly behind. It’s a never-ending cycle of illness and immense frustration and guilt, and then a little resentment sneaks in, too.
Thank you for this post. It has made me realise I really do need to change things soon, before it’s late. Even if it just means easing up so there’s more time for rest and reading other than forced rest and reading only before bed.
I’m glad you can love reading still, both books and e-books. I’m a fan of fiction too, but mostly American crime thrillers. I think being in the UK and reading about the US is a good form of escapism. The Bible for you is a multi-purpose affair because it’s not just a small joy in your day, it’s building your faith, helping you grow spiritually, flexing your brain as a muscle, adding meaning to life etc.
Caz xx
I buy the lightweight board at a crafts store, then decorate it. I have the special, rectangular pillows, but I can also just use 2 regular pillows staggering them. Blessings on your reading.