I realised that my life would be better with some nice relaxing occupation to look forward to for when I'm home alone in the evening. These days I just spend a lot of time watching youtube.
What I'm looking for could be sufficiently mindless to be possible while listening to music or to a podcast, or stimulating enough. It should not involve looking into a screen.
At the moment, I read books (but this requires too much concentration and sometimes I'm too tired); I learn Swahili (but this is only a lesson a week and a couple of readings here and there); and I love cooking and experimenting in the kitchen (this is a great example of what I'm looking for, but I can't do that every day for hours).
I thought about learning to sketch but it's something that kind of makes me competitive or self-conscious, so, I will eventually do it but I'd also like something even simpler.
What are yours?
I can't keep a beat or play conventional instruments at all, so I design my own music systems that let me make music my own way.
Most of these experiments over the past few years have been with a device I call the Electroduochord which is 2 strings with 2 used electric guitar pickups and a rotary magnetic bow.
- breadmaking (artisanal loaves)
- knitting, crocheting, cross-stiching
- figurine painting
- juggling
- slacklining
Here's my list of good "autopilot" activities:
- walking, cycling, driving
- basic cleaning and house chores
- light exercise
- basic landscaping
- doodling
- showering
- waiting in a queue/waiting-room
Guitar is the one I wish I was good at. I really enjoy more "complicated" music (jazz and fusion) and all of the players I admire are seriously top-tier. But they've put in the work and I only pick up my guitar a few times a week. Perfectionism is tough!