# What do you like to do for its own sake? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 14, 2018, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155 "2018-05-14T18:42:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/21 "2018-05-15T14:02:26Z")
Learn or relearn a language. I’m having fun relearning Spanish on [Duolingo](https://www.duolingo.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/22 "2018-05-15T14:19:21Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > I draw fan art. > > I find that very relaxing and engaging - I sort of get “in the zone” as it were, and forget everything else for an hour or two. Just recently I’ve taken up drawing again, after not doing it for a couple of decades. > > Here’s a couple of examples: > > [Eclipsa Unleashed (Conquer) - Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/9uE87Mi.jpg) > > [The Final Butterfly Battle (Conquer) - Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/cGNPCRR.jpg) > > [Moon in the Realm of Magic (3G) - Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/frRn4r3.jpg) Those look like they’d work great as engravings, specially the first one. I used to draw a lot, not so much nowadays. Right now I’m in an internet-less flat; I have 'net at work and in my phone but no movies, no online gaming. It’s a friend’s house, which was left in bad shape by a mixture of his own bad handiwork and some terrible renters; I’ve been fixing it, which I really enjoy and he hates. It involves going to a lot of cheap decoration stores and doing small DIY stuff that tends to use muscles I didn’t remember I had, getting great results for relatively little cost and effort. For example I changed all the knobs in the kitchen: the 30yo cupboards have gone from looking about to rot away to looking brand-new (what was horribly peeled was just the knobs). I also like to read, go to the movies, and walk around town just looking at the houses and the people. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/23 "2018-05-15T14:26:21Z")
> [@Textual\_Innuendo](#): > > 1. Powerlifting - I know you said exercise is a chore for you. Cardio is a chore for me, but I still do it 4 times a week in an “eat your vegetables” sense, so I feel where you’re coming from. Ah, but powerlifting! _That_ is intrinsically enjoyable to me. I don’t know if it’s just the way I’m built, but I get a real rush and sense of accomplishment from lifting 400+ and 500+ pounds at a time. I mean, it’s probably literally an endorphin rush to be physically exerting yourself anaerobically at maximum capacity for a few seconds, although I don’t really know that for sure. I wanted to try free weights, since I do know I’ve got the build for it, although I definitely wasn’t expecting that kind of figures. Christ, if I ever got to being able to lift my own weight you guys would be hearing the screams of joy! But I’m a 50yo woman; apparently that’s not a species gym monitors expect to have to help with the free weights. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/24 "2018-05-15T14:37:32Z")
Messing with my computer. As in physically. Adding new components, making sure the cables are out of the way, etc. Then when it’s all done, you overclock it to make tr run faster, start rethinking our cooling layout, change stuff there… Eventually have have enough bits and pieces from replacements that you think “Hey, with a cheap motherboard and power supply, I could build another computer from all this junk!” So you do that. Then you’re a couple computers deep and start thinking of new ways to use these systems: throw Linux on there, make a media server and so on. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2018, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/25 "2018-05-15T15:02:21Z")
Fibre arts in general, but especially crochet. I am currently learning Tunisian crochet with two colors and a double-ended hook. I’m also still skill-building on Irish crochet lace, although I really need a magnifying lamp to progress much further. (Thank you, middle age.) I like these because they help me sit still and relax. Perhaps they are working a bit too well lately. 😉 I love to cook, and make brunch for my church about once each month, feeding 20-30 people. I also volunteer feeding the homeless and occasionally chaperoning at the local Mission Church. That one feeds my soul, and lets me feel I’ve earned my oxygen even when other forms of success elude me. One thing I’ve always wanted to do is glass blowing. Which is ironic because I am terrified of shattered glass. But I’ve had the time, and I’ve had the money, just never both at once. Maybe some day. A couple of question to ask yourself: Do you want something that brings you in contact with other people? Even solitary pursuits can, if you join a knitting club for example. But if you really need to build a sense of community, volunteering for a build with Habitat for Humanity or joining a swim team will build weekly friendships. Do you want something competitive? I avoid competition like the plague, but some people thrive on it. Do you need more of that in your life? Do you want something seasonal? Some people do best with an immersive challenge few weeks per year followed by a long break. Many sports can provide this, but also community theater or music groups. What have you always wished you could do well? What strikes you as beautiful - really takes your breath away? As adults with established careers, we are released from the requirement to be good enough to “make it” in any field of endeavor. We can paint just because we like to, and write without any earth-shattering ideas to impart. Hope these help! ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/26 "2018-05-16T21:35:47Z")
Thank you all. Lots of good ideas here and interesting angles to choose a pursuit. I like the “choose the material first, activity second”-idea. Yesterday I carefully selected from my reading pile the one book that had no practical use whatsoever, that would be a complete waste of time to read… and I spent an enjoyable hour reading it. It is hard to get out of the “but I need to do something USEFUL!”-rut. What I always wanted to do well, was dancing, singing and sewing. With dancing and singing lessons, you have to get out of the house ( although I found some cool canon singing [Youtube tutorial singalongs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fhJ6XrZ4jg)) Sewing… who for? It’ll be ages before I can make something I can wear to the office. ( oops. See, there I go again) . ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/27 "2018-05-16T22:27:50Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > I draw fan art. > > I find that very relaxing and engaging - I sort of get “in the zone” as it were, and forget everything else for an hour or two. Just recently I’ve taken up drawing again, after not doing it for a couple of decades. > > Here’s a couple of examples: > > [Eclipsa Unleashed (Conquer) - Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/9uE87Mi.jpg) > > [The Final Butterfly Battle (Conquer) - Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/cGNPCRR.jpg) > > [Moon in the Realm of Magic (3G) - Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/frRn4r3.jpg) I don’t know the characters or the sources for these but you’ve got nice composition and a good sense of gesture. Have even more fun, now. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2018, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/28 "2018-05-16T22:29:17Z")
I fly fish. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/29 "2018-05-17T10:36:17Z")
For lack of a better term, I like to wander. I’m curious what’s down that dirt road, that path, what’s in that cove, etc. I’ve been doing this my whole life and have found some surprising stuff away from the roads and crowds. I like to poke around the deer woods on a 4 wheeler (not in hunting season of course), or take my boat into coves and tributaries to see what’s there. I take my truck off into the boonies and wander around for many hours to see if anything interesting can be found. I’ve recently started doing it “remotely”. I’ve posted here before about my remote underwater camera that I send down to look for submerged towns (almost every dammed lake covered a few communities). My son started an interesting version of this by exploring with his drone, and I’ve started doing that as well. [Here’s](https://youtu.be/GG_FnQNFynU) a short example of his exploration of Big Bend area. No earthshaking discoveries, but I think it’s cool to watch. I’m still learning to operate the camera and fly at the same time, but I hope to add some interesting stuff soon. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/30 "2018-05-17T12:42:21Z")
> [@MonkeyMensch](#): > > I don’t know the characters or the sources for these but you’ve got nice composition and a good sense of gesture. Have even more fun, now. Thanks! 🙂 They are fan art for a cartoon called _Star versus the Forces of Evil_, a surprisingly addictive show in the mold of _Gravity Falls_ and _Steven Universe_. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/31 "2018-05-17T15:05:21Z")
> [@](#): > > I fly fish. How far do they usually fly? ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/32 "2018-05-17T15:10:32Z")
My favorite leisure time activity is social dancing. It is great exercise as well, but mostly I do it because I like it. Learning the steps and moves, and then doing them correctly on the dance floor is immensely enjoyable. I also like learning foreign languages, and going to conversation clubs to practice. If you are in the Netherlands, I would think you have an immensity of options for learning languages. Visiting museums is also good. I have an immensity of options for that, living near Washington. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/33 "2018-05-17T15:33:34Z")
Lots of nice and interesting activities mentioned so far. Here’s a suggestion in a somewhat different direction - at this stage in my life I enjoy spending more time alone in silent contemplation. Not necessarily meditation per se, but I guess if one wanted to take it that way they could. It’s satisfying to sit on the porch beverage in hand and simply appreciate one’s surroundings. I’ll also do this indoors and take some time to appreciate the interior environment I’ve worked to create and feel how pleasant it is. Then when I’m in that comfortable place take time to do some focused and intentionally directed thinking. Not letting one’s mind wander at random but to select a particular thing to think about and then try to assemble/integrate all the previous thoughts, reading, and experiences I’ve had concerning the chosen topic. We spend a good deal of our lives compartmentalizing things, but engaging in this type of purposefully directed contemplation is good for breaking internal barriers and connecting disparate thoughts into a more integrated and ultimately more logically connected whole. We tend to do much of our thinking on the fly and typically in reaction to events that have been thrust upon us from without. Choosing what to think about and then taking the time and place of one’s choosing to do one’s thinking tends to result in qualitatively better thought. You know, promotes the whole examined life thing. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/34 "2018-05-17T16:54:11Z")
> [@](#): > > I wanted to try free weights, since I do know I’ve got the build for it, although I definitely wasn’t expecting that kind of figures. Christ, if I ever got to being able to lift my own weight you guys would be hearing the screams of joy! But I’m a 50yo woman; apparently that’s not a species gym monitors expect to have to help with the free weights. While most weightlifters at the gym are young dudes, older individuals really benefit from strength training, in terms of overall fitness and avoiding injury. Have you considered hiring a personal trainer to help you get started ? I did so earlier this year and it is slowly starting to pay off, i think. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/35 "2018-05-17T18:38:25Z")
I like the wandering and contemplating suggestions. A friend suggested I do my wandering by bike, which is also a very good idea. I’m also considering podcasts. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/36 "2018-05-17T19:13:56Z")
Something I’m doing since a year or so ( and I’m a bit hesitant to admit it) is [a kind of meditative prayer.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=20663067&postcount=60) Certain songs have a special spiritual meaning for me, and I listen to them intently on my headphones, while … sort of connecting myself to the greater All. It’s a wordless process, I’m not talking to a deity as such. My mindset in those moments has elements of gratitude, and elements of praise for the wonder of life, of existence, and for myself and my fellow creatures great and small, as all are parts of that life and existence. There’s also an element of transcendence, of the little problems of everyday life. Not that they don’t matter anymore. But more that everything that is, is already, 99,9999 percent wonderful for existing in the first place, against all odds in this cold empty universe of ours. It’s like walking in nature, and feeling part of nature, and seeing that the dramas and imperfections of nature are irrelevant. Do we enjoy a walk in the woods less when the trees are crooked, the brds catch and eat the beetles, and the leaves have turned brown? There’s also an element of love and acceptance for all creatures that follows from that mindset. Oh, what do I know, I’m new to this whole praying thing. But I like doing it once or twice a week, on my own. ---
**Author:** ![TheFaerie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@TheFaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheFaerie)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2018, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/37 "2018-05-18T14:48:23Z")
I like to do various crafts. Currently I knit, make beaded jewelry and do [5D Diamond “Painting”](https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Painting-Number-Butterfly-30x40CM/dp/B0767DV4TQ/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_cp_1_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0767DV4TQ&pd_rd_r=MWQJFTZRFH0F0YPJ2Y8R&pd_rd_w=FYqSR&pd_rd_wg=1r9G7&psc=1&refRID=MWQJFTZRFH0F0YPJ2Y8R). The last one sounds kinda lame, but it’s relaxing and tactile and sparkly and pretty. Except for the knitted socks, none of the things I create are particularly practical, but the process is what I like about creating them. ---
**Author:** ![Textual\_Innuendo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@Textual\_Innuendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Innuendo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2018, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/38 "2018-05-20T13:04:57Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I wanted to try free weights, since I do know I’ve got the build for it, although I definitely wasn’t expecting that kind of figures. Christ, if I ever got to being able to lift my own weight you guys would be hearing the screams of joy! But I’m a 50yo woman; apparently that’s not a species gym monitors expect to have to help with the free weights. I think it’s admirable and a fine idea that you want to do free weights - it’s great for bone density, strength, and retaining / gaining muscle mass, all of which help as we age. I’m not entirely clear on what you mean by “gym monitor” (I believe you’re in Spain, IIRC), but I would handle this two ways - first, asking (regular, non-monitor) people nearby to “spot” you as you do your set. This is a customary and common practice, and most people are delighted to help, and they’ll stand nearby and ensure if you’re struggling or about to fail that the weights go where they’re supposed to go safely. If you have a regular workout partner or gym friend, they should also be able/happy to spot you as you work heavier weights. Second, if spotting isn’t available / customary at your gym, start with really light weights, where there’s never any question of doing it safely. Pay attention to your level of effort and how it feels, particularly in the last reps of your set. Bookmark that rate of perceived exertion in your mind, and then work your way up in weight in the “safe” range that corresponds to that rate of perceived exertion as your strength increases. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155/39 "2018-05-22T23:19:46Z")
I like shooting drills and target practice. Cost can be an issue. My sister is into bridge and that would be fun, Not sure if enough around here do that… 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-like-to-do-for-its-own-sake/814155.md?page=1)