What are your hobbies and pastimes

[Marijn]

I would like to know what people's hobbies are and why they enjoy them. I would like to have hobbies or enjoyable things to do to pass the time as I feel I am too reliant on the company of friends to entertain me, as
friend's spare time doesn't always coincide with mine and I feel I should be more independent.

[Marijn]

Hi Nummy, jewellery making sounds good fun. I saw some beautiful jewellery in a market yesterday, which looked quite simple to make. There were ear rings with just a few well chosen beads and a charm on the end with matching necklaces. It occured to me that I could make some myself. Where do you get the beads and bits and pieces from?
I really do like the idea of going out independently on my own. A friend of mine goes out to a local cafe with a newspaper and gets herself a cream tea. I don't know why the idea of ME doing that worries me, I'd feel self-conscious.

[Nummy]

if you fancy jewellery making, there are magazines (i know that WHSmith sells them) that give you ideas, hints, tips and inspiration...so maybe you could get a couple and look into a bit futher before you jump in and get lots of bits and pieces to make jewellery. But if you start, you could eventually be able to sell pieces on, so it could be a self funding hobby :o)

As i said previously i sometimes go to the cinema by myself, but i also pop into a cafe for a cuppa and a sweet treat...as long as you have a book/magazine/paper to read, you'll be fine

maybe you could have a wander round your local museum by yourself, there tends to be more people on their own there and with everyone looking at the exhibits, you'll feel less self-conscious about being by yourself :o)

[Nummy]

Forgot to answer your question!!

You can get the bits and pieces for jewellery making in most good craft stores, though i'm sure you could get some basics at a haberdashery shop/market stall, but you'll be able to get all sorts of crafty bits online (just google 'jewellery making supplies')

You can also get jewellery making kits which may be good if you want to see if you'll like it

[Marijn]

Nummy, thank you so much for your answer. You've hit the nail on the head and totally understood my question.
Someone I know had booked a trip to Bali with a friend and her friend let her down at the last moment, so she went on her own, and not only that. . . she booked a trip to Australia aswell at the same time.
I feel I'm a long way of that, but just hope to feel comfortable with my own company. I have been to the cinema on my own once and want to do more things like that.
I'll look into the jewellery making too. :-)

[dunwerkin]

Have you thought of golf? You can do it on your own, or if you join a club you could play as a member, but with someone else - if you get my meaning. I know that each club has its own ideas for signing up to play so it might be worth shopping around a bit.

Have you heard of NWR? National Women's Register. Try their web-site NWR.org. to find a branch in your area.

Cycling and walking are both excellent solo activities. If you have a dog, people seem to meet nice other people out walking their dogs.

Solo holidays with Ramblers are good. Mark Warner is another excellent activity holiday company that encourages single holidaymakers.

And Yes, I do go to the cinema on my own. I even eat out alone if I feel like it.

Good luck - you are on the right track to going solo. Well done.

[Marijn]

Thanks Dunwerkin, some excellent ideas there.
Have been doing a bit of research among friends and they also feel awkward about doing things on their own.
I think it is a "woman" thing.
Men will just pop down the pub on their own, no problem.
But I don't know any woman who will do that.
I spoke to a friend yesterday who has been to the theatre on her own, I was impressed.

[Dollychris]

Knitting, reading and collecting.

[Wak]

How about Family History??
There's a good FREE program from the Mormons (Personal Ancestry File) to enter all the details in and plenty of free web sites to search.
It will keep you busy for years. I've just come to a dead end in 1786 and when you can't go any further backwards you can just spread out sideways and include all your distant rellies.

[Marijn]

Thank you Dollychris and Wak for your interesting ideas.
I am starting a dance class soon and a water workout class. Will also consider trying some of the other hobbies suggested.

[Georgiesmum]

Have you ever thought of joining an Art group?

[Marijn]

:-)