this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2024
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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 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (6 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 3 weeks 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.

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