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Looking for advice on hobbies and whether I should continue rock climbing? (discuss.tchncs.de)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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As the title says, I’m looking for some advice about hobbies.

I struggle with depression off and on and recently it’s been quite tough to be motivated, but I tried indoor rock climbing and I’ve been going twice a week for around a month and I love it. I like the problem solving aspect and it being mixed in with physical activity, as I have a sedentary job as a software developer so it’s good to be more active.

This is where the issue is though, I have terrible hands. I have something called Dupytren’s Contracture, which essentially is extra collagen forms around the tendons and severely limits range of movement in the hands (I’ll post pictures of my hands in the comments).

So my question is would you continue this hobby even though it’s wrecking my hands and look at having another fasciotomy to get them less painful.

Or can you suggest any other physical hobbies that would also be engaging mentally to complete.

Perhaps I should have been wiser before getting hooked on this, but I’m devastated that I might not be able to do it long term.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

I have a sedentary job as a software developer so it’s good to be more active.

...

would you continue this hobby even though it’s wrecking my hands

As a software developer who also has fucked up hands, no. This is your meal ticket. Don't mess with it. Being depressed with a job is way better than being depressed without a job and a disability.

I've actively avoided activities that use my hands because I don't want to mess them up more. It sucks, but that's where we're at.

I don't know what activity to recommend. I do leg-centric stuff: swimming, inline skating, snowboarding, and soccer. I don't know if those would be good for you.

Edit: sorry. That came across as hostile. My hand situation is managed, but it still gets to me. I'm trying to say that you should take care of yourself and your hands. The short-term gain of an activity that messes you up isn't worth it.

Exercise feels great, and I hope you find something that works for your mind and your body.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Thanks for the response and I didn’t read it as hostile at all.

I think you’re right and it makes sense really as you only get one body so may as well look after it. It’s just disheartening as this is the only thing I’ve found that allows me to escape my mind and be in the moment if only for an hour a few times a week.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

you only get one body so may as well look after it

That's a really good way of putting it.

this is the only thing I’ve found that allows me to escape my mind and be in the moment

That's what I really like about snowboarding and inline skating - if I'm not focusing on the activity, I take a tumble, so I have to pay attention. I don't know if either of those are something you'd enjoy, but maybe give them a shot?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

As a former tech person turned disabled person, I second this. I used to be working towards a masters in computer science. Now I can't type or use a mouse more than occasionally in short bursts.

Don't fuck up your hands. Life is hard with limited use of your hands.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm really sorry that's how things ended up for you. Best of luck.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

I appreciate that. I've been fortunate enough that I was able to hire attorneys to help me with insurance purposes. And yes, I have needed not one but two attorneys to deal with it. The system is broken and designed for people to fail. You don't want to end up disabled in the US.