suggestions?

[canisay182]

hi guys. my parents are making me get a hobbie so i can get out more (the only other time i leave is to go to the movies with one of my friends). any suggestions?

Thanks

[Alecto]

Do they want you to get involved with a hobby where you participate with other people or alone?

Maybe you could join some kind of class for something you've always wanted to learn. Like some kind of art, karate, or music class.

[canisay182]

probably alone. i absolutly hate team sports cause i always feel like im letting everyone down. maybe a sport where you get to be by other people but your performance doesnt influence them? ok well thanks.

[Jarous]

My parents did exactly that when I was about 14. I dreaded joining any interest club but they insisted and in the end I ended up in an entomological society. I never really enjoyed that (partly because I hate killing animals - even insect and for 'scientific' purposes). All the meetings were a pain and overall a big waste of time for me.

Now, I don't want to say you shouldn't 'get a hobby.' I will personally never forgive myself for not joining the historical fencing club (I plan to do *one day*). Just take part in something you love to do, not because your parents want you to go out more but because you genuinely enjoy it.

As for suggestions, try running. It's not a team sport but you're always free to run with a friend if you want to.
Apart from sports, what about literary discussions? Most of the time you can just listen to others and perhaps in time you'll build up the courage to participate.

[Ghost]

Jarous, I don't know if historical fencing is different from normal fencing (do you mean that they practise true weaponmoves with medieval weaponry?), but normal fencing is a little..dull. People often have such a picture from movies in their head of sword fighting, while real fencing exists out of a precise series of moves, only aiming for the limbs you may touch, depending which kind of sword your wielding. People have to wait on the bench, so to speak, before they get a turn and all the students can do is watch and wait. But you might not mean this. At "normal" fencing the youngest age you will find in a class is 18. But most are a little older or more. So historical fencing may be around such ages as well, meaning you are not too late at all with your aspirations .

Oh, I am also a sucker for insects: I never kill them but either leave them or realease them outside...I am such a dork ...No! Not really: I do kill mosquito's..sometimes...

Back to Bluheart ;
What about horseback riding? About all girls like it. It is a sport, but you can always blame faults on the horse ;D However, I never had much of a liking for the intructors, who could be harsh. And it costs some dough.

Athletics? Any girl clubs near you? (I used to be until I was 12 on the "Technique Club"...it was fun) Everyone was nice and first it was a friend who presusaded me of joining. Together with another friend we went to the club and when they stopped I continued, because the people were nice (most a little younger too..I think).

Maybe you can go with a friend to a sport or class? Badminton is not too hard (even though I never was too much good in it). Arts of Alecto was a good idea too. What about drawing, painting, learning a music intrument with a class? Volunteers work?

I'll come back if I get on more ;D

[Jarous]

Ghost said:

Jarous, I don't know if historical fencing is different from normal fencing (do you mean that they practise true weaponmoves with medieval weaponry?), but normal fencing is a little..dull.

Yes, they don't use those thin long swords (I don't know how you call them) but normal medieval swords, also no fancy modern protection but authentic armor, shields, helms etc.
I've tried to wield a broad sword once. It was so heavy. My arms ached after only a short while. I can't imagine how that can be dull.

bluhart, you can also try out learning a foreign language. There are some societies promoting say french language - showing french movies, reading french literature, giving interesting lectures in french with teaching the language in mind. You can 'mask' your lack of talking with lack of vocabularly and get enough time to learn it while getting to know the other students.

[Some Guy]

I think golf could fit the bill as a sport where you can play alone but can also be around others. Its very infuriating though, i've never been able to become even remotely competent at the sport but you do get to go on some nice walks with it and you get fresh air.

I also agree with Jarous about running. I go running several times a week and I think its a great way to get outside, get fresh air and clear your head whilst giving you a damn good work out at the same time. Although personally i only go running if im seriously bored and have nothing else to do, or if i have things on my mind and i want to relax (running helps me relax). In my local leisure centre they have running groups who dont run competitively but just for a work out, or as Jarous said you could take a friend.

[traveljunkie]

When my parents complained that I stayed in my room too much. I went out and bought a mountain bike. I spent my weekends riding in the parks and woods. I told my parents that I road with other bikers and that shut 'em up until I turned 18 and promtly moved out.

[Jarous]

Adrian said:

I also agree with Jarous about running. I go running several times a week and I think its a great way to get outside, get fresh air and clear your head whilst giving you a damn good work out at the same time. Although personally i only go running if im seriously bored and have nothing else to do, or if i have things on my mind and i want to relax (running helps me relax).

Right, Adrian. Running is not great only for both your physical and mental health, confidence and relaxation but it's a wonderful way to clear your mind. I guess many of us have plenty to contemplate and it's much better doing that while running instead of sitting at home (and getting remarks from familly members why you're staring at the wall and not talk to them). When you run your entire mind moves faster, you can think more smoothly and put things into their right places...
Yes, I believe that running with all its benefits is among the best things (not only) shy people can do in their spare time.

Or, if you don't fancy running, as traveljunkie puts it, biking is also great.

[spitzig]

Lifting weights has similar effects as running. They tend to help each other. Improving one's appearance can give a boost in confidence, too. People tend to like being checked out. ;D

Oh, before I started lifting weights, I was skinny(male, 5'7", and 120 lbs. after high school) and always nervous that the weightlifters would judge me negatively on this. They are very much NOT this way. I understand that most of the people who compete in weightlifting were made fun of for size when younger(either fat or skinny).

What is available to you is significantly dependent upon the size of your town. There are a lot of poetry readings near here. Interest groups like this would give what amount of social stuff you want. At least here, you are not required to write poetry. You also are not required to like the poetry others write. These do not have any formal organization here, so you'd have to look for advertisements on bulletin boards or online. Two book discussion groups I go to are at local bookstores, and the bookstores advertise them.

[Ghost]

spitzig said:

Oh, before I started lifting weights, I was skinny(male, 5'7",

You mean that before you started lifting you were male but when you started, you turned into a heavyweight female?

Two book discussion groups I go to are at local bookstores, and the bookstores advertise them.

Good idea. Someone I vaguely know has a readers club. So if you like to read...

What about music intruments? Or helping out somewhere with a friend (like volunteers work)? It can be at a church, with children, animals..etc.

Or maybe more artistic.. Drawing, clay or painting class, or just some club for fun. At the good clubs it is not about your presentation, but mainly about socializing and chatting away and laughing about each others mistakes, etc.

[Ghost]

Jarous said:

Yes, they don't use those thin long swords (I don't know how you call them)

There are multiple sword types to fence with. Rapiers, sabers..and so on.

but normal medieval swords, also no fancy modern protection but authentic armor, shields, helms etc.
I've tried to wield a broad sword once. It was so heavy. My arms ached after only a short while. I can't imagine how that can be dull.

I don't think that is dull. The average fencing is not all that exciting as most people may believe from films.

Anyway. I posted this extra message because I knew a place where they do the whole medieval stuff and I asked about the age limit. It seems that the age for average fencing is about the same as that for medieval swordmanship: 16+. So as I wrote, you are not too late at all. In fact, you would be a early bird. You can take a look and even choose which weapon you would want to specialize in. So you have still oppertunities .

[mere phantom]

what kinds of things do u like, base your hobby on something u like already

i wish they had fencing here, i've wanted to learn how but this sh*ttowne i live in dont have it

[spitzig]

Ghost said:

You mean that before you started lifting you were male but when you started, you turned into a heavyweight female?

No, I was just trying to show that I was pretty skinny. I've even had someone tell me they were worried about me.

Good idea. Someone I vaguely know has a readers club. So if you like to read...

What about music intruments? Or helping out somewhere with a friend (like volunteers work)? It can be at a church, with children, animals..etc.

Or maybe more artistic.. Drawing, clay or painting class, or just some club for fun. At the good clubs it is not about your presentation, but mainly about socializing and chatting away and laughing about each others mistakes, etc.

I understand it's a common joke that at a lot of book clubs, it's almost standard to not read the book. It's just an excuse to get together. Me, I've got class the night of my book discussion. Even so, I STILL read the book, since classes get cancelled pretty often.

[Jarous]

Thank you Ghost for assuring me I have not lost the oppurtunity. I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, though. I'll hardly get the guts to apply.
Anyway, I'll be moving to the czech capital fr uiversity studies. More opputunities there than here. Moreover, the uni requires you to take one physical exercise course - no matter what - so I guess that'll be the incentive to give fencing a try.

Hey, bluheart, pottery clubs seems like a whole lot of fun. I've never heard of them though. Perhaps not available in this fair 'metropolis.'

By the way, how are you proceeding?