thingstodo

Things To Do


Besides each idea is a selection of links to websites that might help you with that idea, these websites are just suggestions, this site does not assume any responsibility for the contents of these external links. Please let us know if you think a link is inappropriate. Links also change and disappear, we apologise in advance for any links that no longer work.

Only you know how your MS affects you, we recommend that before you spend a lot (or any) money on a project that you are sure you will be able to do the task. We appreciate how short funds might be, we don't want you to waste money.

Note: The ideas listed below are not classified as suitable for Ladies or Gentlemen, we do not say who can do what as we think you can make your own mind up on that, but don't assume that an interest that traditionally belongs to a specific gender is not suitable for you, you may enjoy it if you try it!

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This 'Things to do' list is not put in any particular order, it is really just a way of trying to give you ideas for new hobbies or interests that you might not have considered. The list is in a continual state of change.

Although there are web sites listed, We do not actually endorse anything on the sites, the links are just given as some examples to prompt you into investigating deeper into a hobby etc.

Here's hoping that something in the list catches your interest.

Leon

 

The BBC

Look at the BBC Create website for masses of creative ideas.

The Media:

Just so they are on the list, watching T.V., listening to the radio etc, reading newspapers, magazines etc. (I don't think I need expand further on this!)

Reading:

Surf on the likes of Amazon for a massive selection of reading.

Writing:

Writing can take many forms, it can be done both for pleasure and for profit. From writing a complete book to writing short stories, poems, and scripts for plays and television. Writing is ideal as an activity for people with MS, it provides both a creative outlet and a way of communicating thoughts and feelings that might not be other wise expressed.

The most important thing about writing is that it can be completely for you, it DOES NOT have to be perfect, the most important thing is that you get satisfaction from doing it, you may be the only person who reads it, you may let close friends or relations, your spouse, read it or you may decide to let the public at large read it. There are no rules on who MUST read it, that is your choice.

Writing is one of the cheaper things you can do, if you have a computer the chances are you already have something to type a document in (we recommend using a computer as that will allow you to easily edit your text without having to rewrite massive sections each time you want to change a small part) . If you don't have a computer, a simple pen and notebook can be obtained cheaply from your local supermarket.

Searching for writing on any of the large search engines will reveal a host of web sites dedicated to writing.

Cooking:

Numerous web sites and books will help teach or improve your cooking skills, if you can't cook already, learn the creative pleasure that can be had by presenting food for your friends and family, or even just preparing more interesting meals for yourself.

Puzzles and Jigsaw Puzzles:

There are too many places to list for the supply of puzzles, check out the book/toy section of your local supermarket. Look at sites like http://www.puzzles.com/, http://www.flashpuzzlezone.com/, the Puzzler or http://www.freepuzzles.com/

Cross Stitch:

This popular pastime has a similarly massive number of websites dedicated to it, check out SuperSticher or Johnson Crafts

Join an online group:

Numerous large (and small sites) have online discussions groups, check out the MS Society, or Googles Groups.

Knitting:

Another pastime gaining in popularity, check out KnitAndSew, Dragon Yarns

Computer Games:

Although computer games can cost up to £50, there are numerous free games (see above), but before you use a free game make sure your computer's anti virus checker is up to date.

Gardening:

Most people at the very least have window ledges. There is a vast amount of literature and web sites about gardening. It is also something that most people have some experience of. Taking care of house plants or outside plants can provide a relaxing pastime.

Make Greetings Cards:

You can pay a lot of money from hobby shops for kits to make greetings cards, or you can make them from computer printouts of your favorite photos (look in shops like PCWorld for their greeting card print out paper), or you could draw your own.

Suduko:

This popular game can be addictive, it can be done from books, calculator like handsets or online. See the SUN newspapers Suduko site for a daily game or the Puzzler.

Crosswords:

Crosswords appear in many places, you could try Crossword Puzzles.

Meditation:

Meditation is a big subject and many disciplines and religions do it, ranging from the prayer of Christians to Yoga. The subject is too big to cover here, but their are benefits of a clam rested mind to someone with MS.

Yoga:

Yoga takes many forms, from the extreme positions the media likes to show, to gentle controlled movements beneficial to those with Ms who may be confined or restricted in their movements. Have a talk to your MS nurse, they will most likely be aware of a Yogo group near you that is MS sympathetic.

Swimming:

Some people find that regular swimming helps with the aches and pains of MS.

Family Tree:

A good excuse for a chat with obscure members of your family. There are computer programs around to help, surfing the web can also throw up interesting things about your family name etc.

Hanjie

These are Japanese logic problems, there are several Hanjie web sites.

Rocks, Gems and Minerals study/collecting:

Learning and studying rocks etc., that is Geology, can completely change the way you look at the countryside and even the structure of the land around you.

Pottery:

This can involve starting small by simply making paper mache models, pots etc, or you can get more serious and get a small kiln and wheel and turn it into a business, see Pottery (loads of other links) as one site of many on the web

Painting:

The are many ways to start painting, check out some of the numerous web site, hobby shops.

Mosaics:

Making patterns using bits of tile on flat surfaces, covering pots etc, this is one of those hobbies that takes over, see Design a mosaic to do it online, or The Joy of Shards for more information.

Photography:

Most mobile phones come with digital cameras now, so the chances are you already have a camera. Learn to take good shots and be creative. This is another subject that is easy to get into, and especially with digital photography, it doesn't cost the earth to delete any rough shots you may take.


Film Making:

Or Cinematography, although you could go to the expense of buying a video camera, you could like with Photography, make a start at film making using a mobile phone with a video capability. You could enroll on a film making course, or get magazines, books and visit websites about it. Make films about your family, pets, holidays. Microsoft Windows XP and Vista come with a film editor (Windows Movie Maker) for you to make films (press start, all programs, accessories, Windows Movie Maker to run the program from XP). Check out the BBC file makers site Film Network, or check out filmmaking.net, just some of the many sites about film making

Animation:

If you can hold a digital camera or mobile with a camera steady and not let it move you can take a series photos of the same scene, but slightly moving and object in the scene to produce what is know as 'stop-motion' animation. With a Movie editor like Windows Movie Maker (see film making) all the photos can be stuck together to produce a film, or animation. Obviously this is the crudest/simplest way to make an animated film, you could try drawing a series of drawings in a note book, then photographing the drawings to produce a cartoon. There again, are many books and websites, ranging from Clay animation like that used in wallace and gromit to using more expensive animation software (some such as blender is free). Check out sites like Toonboom, or one of my favorites Clay Animation.

Learn a Musical Instrument:

You can either learn an instrument on your own by reading a book, or some of the self instruction website, or use a professional tutor, or get a friend to help. Obviously the instrument for choose will depend on how well you can move, take yourself to a musical instrument shop and see what they have to offer, try holding different instruments to see what they feel like, the shop will be able to advise.

Learn to Sing:

If you don't want to pay for lessons, search on learning to sing, what about free singing, or an online Learn to Sing Product Review.

Dress Making/Sewing:

You can start dress making with just a small amount of equipment, but really at least a sewing machine will be needed, many good / cheap machines are available for beginners, they are even stocked in some supermarkets. Check out Sew Essential, or Dressmaking course for just a couple of places on the web.

Carpentry:

One of those subjects that most men have tried, but there is no reason why women can't try their hands at woodwork. There are plenty of books on the subject, plus local colleges do courses. Once you have basic wood working skills there are many projects and tasks you can perform. There is no reason why you can't start wood work on your own, learning as you go, however sawing etc can be strenuous, it would be wise to have a go with a friends tools first to see if you were physically capable.

Metal Work:

As with Carpentry, one of those subjects that most men have tried, but there is no reason why women can't try their hands at metal work, . Their are plenty of books on the subject, plus local colleges do courses. The same things apply with metal work as with wood work, make sure you are physically up to filing sawing etc.

Making Jewelry:

It is possible to buy kits at Hobby stores to make your own jewelry, if you combine this hobby with a hobby such as collecting rocks/stones and polishing rocks and stones, all sorts of fascinating jewelry can be made. Check out Jewel Tool Craft, Regal Crafts, or Jilly Beads for just some of the links that come up when searching for making jewelry,

Carving:

Although possibly a hobby for the more dexterous, carving can be an absorbing hobby, see the Woodcarving Patterns site for inspiration.

Lace Making:

This traditional craft is absoring and a great conversation point, see Tim Parker's site or Lace Making Links.

Weaving:

Weaving can take many forms, see the Craft Fair site for a mass of options.

Wine / Beer Making:

Always a popular hobby, cheap beer and wine help pass away the hours! See Brew it Yourself or The Art of Brewing or the Home Winemaking site.

Rug Making:

This used to be a way to recycle worn out clothing, see Rug Making Kits or for rag reycling The Rug Makers Homestead.

Calligraphy:

This is a hobby for those with beautiful things to say, see Learn Calligraphy.

Kite Making/Flying:

Make and or fly kites see Davids Magic Kites or Kite Making Plans.

Model Making:

Model making is a very old and wide subject, there are other ideas on this page related to various other aspects of model making, have a look at The Hobbies Shop, or The UK Model Makers Resource or The Hobby Directory or On Tracks or The Hobby and Model Centre.

Celtic Knotwork:

Celtic Knotwork can provide hours of fun, have a look at Make Celtic Knotwork.

Decorative Ropework:

There are many uses for decorative ropework around the house, etc, have a look at Knots on the Web for a massive resource.

Keep an Aquarium:

Keeping fish has the advantage of they don't need walking etc. Have a look at Rocket Aquatics or The Aquatic Store or The Pet SuperStore.

Theater Going:

Spend the occasional evening out entranced by actors taking you into new places, see the theatregoer or Blurtit.

Candle/Soap making:

An interesting hobby, great for making gifts, see FullMoons Cauldron or Candle and Soap Making.

Crochet:

Yet more gift ideas, it is astounding what can be made with Crochet, see one ladies addiction or learn how to crochet

Drawing/Sketching:

The is an artist in everyone, learn how to draw at Drawing Lessons or Draw and Colour with Uncle Fred or Drawing Now or Drawing Lessons

Quilting:

Never be cold in bed again, have heaps of quilts, see the World Wide Quilting Page or FreeQuiltPatterns.

Scrapbooking:

Flag Making:

Sailing:

Narrow boating/ Cruising:

Amateur/Ham Radio:

Amateur Astronomy:

Beachcombing:

Bell ringing:

Bird Watching:

Cloud Watching - Meteorology:

Doll Collecting / Clothes Making:

Electronics:

Juggling:

Lock Picking:

Magic:

Pottery:

Puppetry:

Train Spotting:

Making Robots:

Rocketry:

String Figures:

Textiles:

Tombstone Rubbing:

Statue Rubbing:

Fashion Design:

Learn a new Language:

Learn Sign Language:

Wine Tasting:

Astrology:

Palm reading:

Collecting Antiques:

Studying Antiques:

Studing Art:

Acting:

Drama:

Bee keeping:

Beading:

Collaging:

Doll Houses:

Doll Making:

Enamels:

Figure Painting:

Glass Blowing:

Leather Crafting:

Origami:

Paper Craft:

Sculpture:

Model Railways:

Model Battles:

Historic Battle Re-enactment with models:

Glass Engraving:

Watch Repair:

Watch Collecting:

CB Radio:

DIY Audio:

Circuit Bending:

Designing and Building Electronic Circuits:

Hardware Hacking:

Home theater:

Building Model Steam Engines:

People/Crowd Watching:

Butterfly watching:

Ghost Hunting:

Horse Riding:

Astrophotography:

Darkroom work:

Kite Aerial Photography:

LEGO building - inc. Robotics:

Radio Controlled Models:

Build a Kit Car:

Bus Spotting:

Aircraft Spotting:

Train Spotting:

Charity Work:

Web-Mistress/Master:

Wicker work:

Model Steam Engines:

Model Boats:

Model Aircraft:

Learning to Glide:

Period Weaponry Models:

Models

Study of Ancient Romans/Greeks etc:

Chess:

Draughts:

Billiards/Snooker:

Model Helicopters:

Build a computer:

PC repair and maintenance:

Model Hovercraft:

Build a canoe:

Build a Sailing Dinghy:

Paint by Numbers:

House Plants:

Carnivorous Plants:

Learn Chemistry:

Learn Biology:

Learn Human Anatomy:

Marquetry:

Flower Arranging:

Fishing:

Keep a Diary:

Matchstick Modeling:

Bridge:

Body Painting:

Natural Remedies:

Flower Pressing:

Making fancy Dress costumes:

Organising your Finances:

Learning Card Tricks:

Making Wind Chimes:

Making Paper Flowers:

Making Piggy Banks:

Stained Glass:

Lino Cutts / Printing:

Collecting Postcards:

Making/Designing Crosswords:

Beachcombing:

Button Collecting:

Diecast Collectables:

Handwriting Analysis:

Toy Collecting:

Calligraphy:

Car Maintenance:

Egg Painting:

Preserving Cut Flowers:

Metal Engraving:

Glass Etching:

Pet Sitting:

Hair Styling/Cutting:

Model Engineering:

Song Writing:

Collecting Something:

There are many things that could be considered Collectables, coins, stamps etc., being the more commonly thought of. You do not have to spend a lot of money collecting things, in Gloucester there is a museum of packaging with such items as soap powder packets, any item can be collectable!

Look (or search on collecting in a search engine) at Yahoo Collecting for a massive list of ideas of things to collect, ranging from Air Sickness Bags to Writing Instruments!

Open University Courses:

The Open University and it's wide range of different subjects has to be one of the best resources this country (if not the world) has for distance learning. There are just too many things to list here, but look at The Open University home page for more information.

Local College Courses:

Most College's across the country have day time and evening courses across the year, such courses can provide both a place to meet new people and give you other interests. Have a look at the list of UK Collages, or look in your telephone directory etc.

Renovate a boat, car, motorcycle etc:

Many items can prove to be interesting and absorbing renovation projects. Boats and cars are just two ideas, but projects might be a small as a chair (doing some French polishing) or a small photograph frame, or piece of jewelry (cleaning it up). Look around you, is there anything that would benefit from a long term effort. Not only can renovation provide an interest and hobby, but can introduce you to other people with the same interests, and increase the value of your assets / property.




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