Finding a Good Non-Intellectual Hobby

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Latinitas

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Hi everyone,

First, I’m not really sure where this thread belongs, I just put it here, because it’s related to my life in general, and I’ve been talking about it with a counselor as well as spiritual director. If it belongs somewhere else, please put it there.

Well, as some of you know, I’m trying to make friends, and hopefully, find the right young woman to marry soon. Now I’m at very remote college and I can’t leave, so I can’t really go off campus except for rare occasions. I’ve been talking to a counselor on campus who’s very good, and she thinks I’m too intellectual - that I read only very serious and heady stuff - and I know she’s right. I am a bit too serious. The problem is, I’m trying to find some activity that’s not as intellectually oriented that I can enjoy, and it’s hard. I’ve been offered to play frisby which I enjoyed, but I had to turn it down recently. Nevertheless, I’m looking even for something like good books (not intellectual ones) to enjoy, or good movies to watch, or any other fun activity, and I’m having a hard time thinking of anything. They do go to the beach every so often, but the dress on the beach is so immodest that I really hate to go (I went once when my parents were here, and it’s not really a pleasant experience).

Any suggestions regarding books, movies, hobbies to try?

By the way, I should add, that, if you don’t think any of this is a good idea, or something like that, and are going to argue with me about it, then that’s okay, but please refrain from posting. I’m following the advice of a counselor here, who is well-known by my spiritual director.

Thanks,
Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas
 
How about dancing? Folk dancing is a lot of fun & you don’t need a “date” to go. There is also line dancing, clogging, swing (might need to take a partner for that, but maybe not). I’m not the most coordinated person (when the caller said “left” I often went “right” :o) but good dancers usually love to teach. No matter what kind of dancing groups I went to, there seemed to be more women than men. You would be quite popular! 😉
 
Yup, I’d say try something that uses your body. If dancing or singing isn’t it, try making. Anything.
Woodworking, quilting, knitting.
Most women are intrigued with a man who does a hobby that is usually dominated by women.
Knitting is acutually hip these days. Doesn’t take much room or money.
If you interested in history at all, both knitting and quilting offer Interesting histories and opportunity to reproduce historic pieces…
 
What about walking, hiking, and cycling? If you live in an area with a lot of trails, you may find it not only physically challenging, but an avenue of relaxation. It can be enjoyed by yourself alone, or with any number of people – including a special someone.
 
Try something physical like biking or jogging. Or perhaps photography…it takes you out of your own head and forces you to focus on the details of the world around you.
 
I was bookish in college, too, and outdoor activities are a great way to start. Definitely go for hiking! Also, if your knees are up to it, join the local ‘fun-run’ running club. Usually these groups go for 5 - 10 k runs, and 2-4 k run/walks. You can also join a mushroom-hunting club. Does your college have a film club? The film clubs used to select movies to show on campus, and that can be a lot of fun.
 
Deltadeliquent said:
Yup, I’d say try something that uses your body. If dancing or singing isn’t it, try making. Anything.
Woodworking, quilting, knitting.
Most women are intrigued with a man who does a hobby that is usually dominated by women.
Knitting is acutually hip these days. Doesn’t take much room or money.
If you interested in history at all, both knitting and quilting offer Interesting histories and opportunity to reproduce historic pieces…
Click to expand...
Yep, good point, knitting and man-sewing are potential “babe-bait”.
 
Photography or gardening. When low on funds, you can always get work as a photographer for friends, or working on yards.
Both will take you a variety of interesting places.
 
Astronomy is a good one, people relax and chat about anything,
It’s as intellectual and relaxed as you want to make it,
 
There is also crocheting–there are crochet people and knitting people, and they each have a hard time learning the other! But plenty do both.

I came back to suggest something to do with music, like taking voice lessons or learning a portable instrument like violin, flute, or recorder. Get a classical teacher, tho, so you’ll get whatever is necessary (breathing exercises, some music theory).
 
pianistclare said:
Photography or gardening. When low on funds, you can always get work as a photographer for friends, or working on yards.
Both will take you a variety of interesting places./:thumbsup:QUOTE]

👍 While photography was expensive in the late 1900s, the digital camera has made it an easy means of getting your head out into the world.

Also, consider joining up on some student-related activities. In this context, living life “from your head” is not a negative in any way.

ICXC NIKA.
Click to expand...
 
As to books, GK Chesterton may be too serious for your purposes, but check him out, and I love PG Wodehouse; very light but humorous reading.
 
Most colleges offer piano and guitar in both individual and group lessons.
 
Latinitas said:
Hi everyone,

First, I’m not really sure where this thread belongs, I just put it here, because it’s related to my life in general, and I’ve been talking about it with a counselor as well as spiritual director. If it belongs somewhere else, please put it there.

Well, as some of you know, I’m trying to make friends, and hopefully, find the right young woman to marry soon. Now I’m at very remote college and I can’t leave, so I can’t really go off campus except for rare occasions. I’ve been talking to a counselor on campus who’s very good, and she thinks I’m too intellectual - that I read only very serious and heady stuff - and I know she’s right. I am a bit too serious. The problem is, I’m trying to find some activity that’s not as intellectually oriented that I can enjoy, and it’s hard. I’ve been offered to play frisby which I enjoyed, but I had to turn it down recently. Nevertheless, I’m looking even for something like good books (not intellectual ones) to enjoy, or good movies to watch, or any other fun activity, and I’m having a hard time thinking of anything. They do go to the beach every so often, but the dress on the beach is so immodest that I really hate to go (I went once when my parents were here, and it’s not really a pleasant experience).

Any suggestions regarding books, movies, hobbies to try?

By the way, I should add, that, if you don’t think any of this is a good idea, or something like that, and are going to argue with me about it, then that’s okay, but please refrain from posting. I’m following the advice of a counselor here, who is well-known by my spiritual director.

Thanks,
Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas
Click to expand...
Hi Latinitas - I agree with the others that suggested photography. Also bird watching.

I think it is a great idea to pursue a hobby that is fun - I should do it myself!😃
 
If you’re living on campus, there are probably dozens of different clubs you could join. Find out what the options are and just have a go at some.

Photography is a great suggestion. There are probably film clubs too, either making them or watching them. With photograpgy there may be an initial investment, but once you have the gear you want, you just click away.

There are probably book clubs too, and they would most likely select books for the group that are of a less intellectual or serious nature.

What about sports? Find a sporting activity you might like, even just a gym class. If your counsellor wants you to engage in less intellectual activities, getting into sports or just hitting the gym can definitely help clear the mind. I love weightlifting and find it absolutely clears my mind, even when I’ve got a million things on my mind and am very stressed.
 
I think you should get a sport, and one that’s social like soccer, not weight-lifting. Ultimate frisbee is usually popular among college aged kids.
 
Hi everyone,

Thanks for all the responses. I hope more keep coming in.

Anyway, I have some comments to make.

I can’t exactly hike - there’s nowhere to do that, and where I’m at, a mountain means a 6 foot bump in the road. I really cannot leave campus, and there’s very little around the university for about 10 miles. So walking is not an option.

I like the idea of dancing in a way, although I’m nervous that I’ll be bad at it, since I have balance issues (due to damaged nerves in my neck). But I’m seriously thinking about it.

Crocheting and knitting and stuff are interesting ideas, as well as ultimate frisbee, a game I like. So I’m looking into these. Since there are less than 800 students on campus, it’s somewhat difficult to find clubs for everything, so I have to look.

Anyway, keep the advice coming in,
Thanks again,
Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas
 
Coin collecting, scrap booking, bowling, boccie, flying model airplanes,
Pottery, candle/soap making, carving, whittling, wood burning, jewelry making, skydiving, wine tasting, sci fi conventions, acting in local theaters, volunteering, skydiving, playing cards, tie dyeing, playing marbles or jacks, developing photos, glassblowing, journaling, traveling, going to meet ups, sailing, kayaking, rowing, making balloon animals, making puppets, taking cooking classes, macrame, batik, rock collecting, ice skating, swimming, weight lifting, canning jam of pickles, going to bazaars, playing the stock market, playing keyboards, drums, harmonica, metal detecting, whale watching, painting, drawing, sculpting,
Darts, archery, Civil War re enactments, Scottish games, genealogy, making candy, cake decorating, illustrating books, visiting museums, fixing cars, renaissance fairs, collecting postcards, making go carts, collecting baseball cards, going to zoos or butterfly farms, ventriloquism, papist mâché, gymnastics, singing lessons, learning sign language, martial arts, origami, tying sailor or decorative knots, silk screening, collecting autographs, going to auctions, making home movies, book binding, rock climbing, camping, clowning, engraving, growing vegetables, shortwave/ham radios, antiques buy or restore.
 
Intramural sports which are team-based, like volleyball, basketball, soccer, and low-pitch softball. (Frisbee too.)

Folk dance is something to consider. I learned about it when I was in graduate school and have enjoyed it ever since. If you are uncomfortable about touching other people, try to get over that. In many types of folk dance you merely have to hold hands in a line or a ring (here I am thinking of some Israeli and Eastern European dances, but there are others). In many other types of folk dance, you hold someone in a ballroom-dance position (here I am thinking of Scandinavian, European, and Latin couples dances). I particularly enjoy contra and square dance, which involve both hand contact and a sort of ballroom dance contact.

Folk dance music is another potentially interesting hobby. I don’t perform it myself but I know lots of people who do. If there are folk dances with live bands (as opposed to recorded music), they would probably welcome anyone who can play piano, violin, wind instruments (flute, recorder, Irish whistle, clarinet, saxophone), or plucked and strummed string instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele).

P.S. I forgot to mention accordion and concertina.
 
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