HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Coping strategies. What hobbies or methods do you use to get through the rough times and stay sane?

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/11/2007 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

What does everyone do to stay sane.? I love to paint....I paint in acrylics, watercolor pencils, and graphite. While I'm working on a piece, the whole world disappears. Time just flies. While I'm concentrating on color and form etc...I don't worry about other things. Of course, there is always the trips to the bathroom to disrupt my concentration...but I find it easy enough to be drawn back into the painting.

I'd love to know what some of you do for "therapy".

Posted 10/11/2007 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
I did needlepoint, petit point, embroidery, crewel embroidery. Not kits. My own designs or tracings (a cheap light table and washable marker). I didn't want to spend all that time making something that other people would have looking exactly the same. That's rather like showing up at a gala and encountering another woman w/the same expensive dress!
Posted 10/11/2007 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi For me it's gardening I make new flower beds or work on the ones I have and read threw gardening magazines when bored in winter. This year I have taken to looking after the birds so I spend some time reading up on the ones that come to my feeders.lol gail
Posted 10/11/2007 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
I've gotten back into knitting since my diagnosis, and that's been a big help.  It's great to have something else to focus on.  I also write, and I'm really looking forward to National Novel Writing Month again.  It's a challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days.  Happens every year in November.  Here's the website if anyone's interested: http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Posted 10/11/2007 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
I do digital photography.  I can get lost in the editing and when I am out and about "shooting" I hardly ever feel the need to go.  Some of my photography is listed at http://www.outdooreyes.com/list/thegallerys.php3?photoid=1153. I'm still an amature though.
Posted 10/11/2007 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have start crocheting "prayer shawls". Basically you pray for the person whom you are making it for as you making it. It has helped me to move the focus away from my problems. It is hard to feel sorry for oneself when you are praying for someone who has cancer and is fighting for their life..... there is a web site if anyone is interested just look up "shawl ministries". It gives patterns, prayers, and lots of information.
Heather

P.S. of course you already knew this Mary, but i'll put it out there for everyone else!
Posted 10/11/2007 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I do art's and crafts,I am in the process of making napkin ring holds with fall colors and Iam in the process of making a candle center peice as well.it's alot of work but worth it.
Posted 10/11/2007 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
:-)  

I read a lot, make a trip to the library at least once a week, if not more. I work full time but when I'm home evenings and weekends I will always have a book with me. I find that it takes my mind off of what my body is doing, it really helps me a lot to get lost in a good book. Take care all!

Posted 10/11/2007 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
I used to be a voracious reader, and of course I'm addicted to the internet, but I don't seem to have the time to do much of either anymore. My goal is to have another horse, "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a woman." (I may have misquoted, I'm paraphrasing ;0)
Posted 10/11/2007 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
I do family history research. Much (not all) of this can be done from the home these days via the internet plus its a great way to keep in touch with other researchers on the days I'm not feeling so great and don't want to go out to libraries, archives, etc. I also put together albums (scrapbooks) on each member of my immediate family and some of the family lines (for example one album for when they were in Europe and the next one when they came to the U.S.) I am on volume #3 for myself. Fortunately I hoarded all this clutter through the years so it was still available to assemble into these books. When I am feeling blue I get these albums out and go through them and I realize that although I did not have a big career or travel the world, I have had a interesting life so far. Some of it is chronological, other parts are by category. "my gardens", "my hobbies" etc. I have a section on my medical adventures :<)
Posted 10/11/2007 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
EXCELLENT, RootSmith!!! I'm "into" genealogy as well. And it CERTAINLY is a LOT easier now than years ago when you had to send for everything, make all your queries via snail mail!!!! Of course, the PRIMARY documentation is considerably more expensive now so I pretty much only get PRIMARY documentation for my DIRECT ancestors but still .... its a fascinating, absorbing hobby.

Are you "horseless" now, JudyK - or you just want an additonal horse? We have 3 (we being my daughter and two granddaughters, but the horses are here at our place). 2 red dun QH mares and a loud Paint gelding. (He has a white map of the North American continent on one rib cage). They drive, do Western & English, 4H (daughter is a leader), Trail and Dressage.
Posted 10/11/2007 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I do what everyone else does, when feeling better, it's the arts (needlepoint, pencil, acrylics, guitar)...cause my mind has to be focused a bit. I even like to cook...the things that go well in my stomach (apple pie...the only way I can eat apples, cause surely can't eat them raw, nor any other fruit or veggie...oh just waiting for the day.) Most of the time I escape into the wold of books. Television and movies can't take my mind away as well as books. The world's I have been to. It helps me forget the pain. Oh and when I just can't take it anymore to get my mind off stuff, I call my mom, sister, friends...to talk about anything, except how I'm feeling.

Now that it is getting cooler, I would like to be outside more. It was so hot before and made me so miserable, but I really like to garden. But we are getting to the most wonderful time of the year here.(Phoenix, Az), so some outdoor ventures and watching the birds will be in my plans. Just want to enjoy life.
Posted 10/11/2007 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Exercise regularly has saved me physically and mentally like you wouldn't believe and I was very tired with no energy before I started exercising but after a few short weeks my energy and everything really turned around...it's such a great stress reliever and there are so many programs to choose from...from pilates, yoga, weights aerobics or even a combination.

:)
Posted 10/12/2007 7:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for responding to my thread. I had anwered each one of you personally but I guess my post was too long...I had to re- login and start over again.

Sharing our problems and our struggles with this disease is very personal....but in a way it tends to de-personalize us....we become the CDers or crohnies.

I feel blessed that you shared part of your personal lives with me.....I'm grateful to get to know the real you....beyond this dreaded CD.

Thank you ....lets keep this thread going...just to remind ourselves that we are all beautiful spirtis having a human experience, not simply humans struggling with life and trying to experience the spiritual.

Love and prayers to you
Mary
Posted 10/12/2007 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
Great thread!  I love to read books.  I find that it gets my mind off things and into "another world."  I also enjoy bird watching and tending to the bird feeders.  One thing I LOVE is the game Scrabble.  A couple of months ago, I found a website where you play Scrabble against others over the internet for free.  It's so much fun!  The website is www.scrabulous.com   Julie :-)
Posted 10/12/2007 10:04 AM (GMT 0)
I used to do a lot of reading, I used to find reading Stephen Kings books took my mind off the pain.......only because I was scared out of my wits lol.

Also love crosswords, which I still do now.

I only wish that I had access to the internet all those years ago when I was suffering, its only now that Im ok...ish, that I have found these great sites :-)
Posted 10/12/2007 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I love to read, do digital photography-when feel up to it I do portraits for friends and family and special events(weddings, etc) and watch crime shows and have just started to sew. I got a machine but right now not alot of space to put it and really work.
FitzyK23, what editing software do you use, what kind of camera do you have. Your photos are really beautiful. I love to do scenery too but my passion is portraits. I love to see people smile and tear up when they see a beautiful picuture of themselves or a loved one.
Posted 10/12/2007 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
I quilt and garden depending on the time of year an whether or not I can get out side. I also installed a small outdoor fish pond this spring...it is a great way to relax! I can spend hours just watching the fish and puttering with it.
Posted 10/12/2007 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a movie buff and computer nerd. I use to fix and build computers on site, but not that much any more computers got really cheap now. I also use to run a Urealtournament 2004 Invasion server awhile back. You basically shot monsters and try to survive. Here's a video i made of it awhile ago to give you an idea. I know i'm to old for video games but i have fun LOL!!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSfHhnEFKik

Post Edited (Erik45) : 10/12/2007 4:05:04 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/13/2007 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Going to the gym is the only thing that keeps me sane, whether my CD is active or not, i just push through it
Posted 10/13/2007 1:28 AM (GMT 0)

Well, since Weds night my daughter, son-in-law and two precious granddaughters are visiting from Fla. That is the very best therapy for me - being with my granddaughters. They used to live 1 hr away from us, but moved to Fla in May.  I miss them sooooo much and it is wonderful to have them here, even for just a few days.

My #2 therapy is scrapbooking the precious pictures of my granddaughters.  Only been doing it for a little while and so am still working on the oldest who will be 5 in Feb.  I love working on my scrapbooks and can really forget about my worries.

And, of course the internet, and you wonderful guys and gals help tremendously.  Best to all.

Posted 10/13/2007 10:43 AM (GMT 0)
Everyone sounds so interesting. What a hoot it would be to have a big old reunion.....be able to sit and chat with each other in person. I can just imagine it....one minute we'd all be talking about poop and pain and all the nastiness that comes with this dreaded disease....and the next, we'd all be sharing our interests and passions, our love for our families and friends.....
I feel so lucky ot have "met" all of you. You've enriched my life .

please keep this thread going....it is so positive and wonderful to imagine each of us doing something other than sitting on the toilet , or in a hospital....although we must share those moments as well...its the positive in our lives that will get us through it and make it all worthwhile.

Love and prayers to all,
Mary
Posted 10/13/2007 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
I use to read alot, but really don't have as much time anymore. Plus my DH gets a little upset if I get a little too into my books. I try occaisionally to read while I ride the trolley to work. I want to buy a digital camera and would like to start taking more pictures. I take one of my grandsons every other weekend and have been taking some really cute photo's of him recently with my camera phone. Plus I want more photos of my other grandkids. Their mom is terrible about sending me pictures. She takes them but forgets to mail them to me. LOL
Posted 10/13/2007 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Great thread
I do alot of research on Pyoderma ......
I am also into my animals ...birds ,cats and now Cait has a fish .........
I am the bird lover for sure ....they are so intelligent and so loving ...........

Have started back slowly doing Home Care for Seniors ........
I can choose own hours and they are aware ( co) that I have CD

Taking my Dad on long walks when I can and listen to him ramble on about anything and everything ......he has Alzheimer's .......LOVE him to pieces .........

Hoping this will keep going .........grreat idea MC
Posted 10/13/2007 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
MOJO04- I use the Kodak Z650. It has a 10x optical zoom and 6.1 megapixels. It has auto functions like most of the newer user friendly digitals but also has a pasm switch if I want to use it like a regular SLR. However, I have found the autos have almost everything I need and I havent bothered to switch out of it. For editing I use the Kodak EasyShare software. The latest version can be downloaded free online. To resize my photos for my "for sale" website, I use the Microsoft Picture editing that was already on my computer.

Nanners- does your daughter use a digital camera? If she uses Kodak software to put the pictures on her computer all she has to do is click "upload" and this will put the pictures on the web. She does have to create an account at www.kodakgallery.com for this to work though. Then if she wants to keep them private she can just "share" the album to you via email. Then you log in to Kodakgallery to view it. However, if she doesnt mind making the album public, for $2.99/year she can get her own web address through kodak. So you could just type in www.kodakgallery.com/hername and you could see all the pictures. The only downside to using the website instead of signing in is the pictures on the web are much lower resolution. Great for viewing or storing on your computer but not as good for printing or scrapbooking. But, this way you could preview all the pictures and then just ask her for the specific ones you know you would print and then she could send you the original file to that or give you her log on to get it from her gallery account.

Hope this helps!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12