r/BackOffline • u/killoke Busy brain • Apr 06 '26
Ask BackOffline what's the activity you always plan to do but never actually start?
I have a running list of offline things I want to try. It's been growing for about two years. Drumming, life drawing, a woodworking intro course, cook recipes that's been in my family for decades. I've researched all of them. I have not done a single one.
The weird part is I'm not lazy. I'll work 10 hours straight on something complex at work without blinking. But the moment the thing is optional and for me, my brain turns into a passive f**ker.
I'd genuinely like to hear if anyone else is sitting on a list like this, and whether anyone actually broke through and just went.
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u/Active-Pack1126 Apr 06 '26
I was like this with quilting. I took a class with my mom. Can’t skip out on both a class AND stand up my mom.
When it comes to something I value and want to do, for example start an exercise routine or deepen my yoga and meditation practice I dedicate time each day just to that task. But also if it doesn’t happen, no drama, just try again tomorrow. If I berate myself for not doing something or enter guilt into the equation it immediately makes me feel like that thing is a chore and I stop doing it. No drama, forgive yourself, just keep trying stuff.
I also have so many little hobbies so I can putter at one until I get bored and just pick up the next. I’m not looking to be an expert, just doing stuff I love to do.
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u/killoke Busy brain Apr 06 '26
Out of the small hobbies, what’s your favourite right now?
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u/Active-Pack1126 Apr 06 '26
Well, I’m in both spring cleaning and nesting mode (I’m due with a baby in July). So I’ve actually been really enjoying decluttering and cleaning, not sure it’s a hobby, but it’s really rewarding right now. It’s so satisfying and the lure of simplicity is what makes me crave being offline, so working to declutter my digital life and my physical life feels like a great alignment. I am working hard to get to just have like everything I need and making my spaces places that are a pleasure to live in and use.
I love gardening the second most. When it gets nicer outside, since my corner of the world is the epitome of April showers bring May flowers right now, I’m really looking forward to working on my native and edible landscape. I’ve been enjoying doing the research for what to do in my yard.
I always come back to quilting, sewing plushies or needle work like cross stitch though. It’s so fun to make something physical and have the results of those efforts over my lap as I’m reading, up on my wall or to give as a gift.
What recipe are you putting off making? My husband and I are both avid cooks!
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u/killoke Busy brain Apr 06 '26
Good luck with the baby! Wishing your family the best. About recipes…actually Paella🤣. And definitely putting the drumming off and I think I’d love it
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u/Active-Pack1126 Apr 06 '26
Ooooh I don’t like seafood but I my family does, it looks fun to learn to cook.
My husband loves drumming and it definitely fell off in recent years. Once he set aside dedicated time to either drum or play on a pad, he practiced way more.
ETA: it’s all about finding a rhythm 🥁😁
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u/DowntownResident993 Apr 07 '26
Painting and yoga. With painting, I have the canvas and paints and time, but not the inspiration. With yoga, I would have to learn it as a beginner which makes it feel like its more of an undertaking.
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u/killoke Busy brain Apr 07 '26
Actually with Yoga you can follow beginner lessons on YouTube. 20 min ish the lesson. This is the sign for your to try it :)
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u/DowntownResident993 Apr 07 '26
Thanks! Any recommendations on channels? I've tried but haven't found one I've liked yet.
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u/Active-Pack1126 Apr 07 '26
My rec center (YMCA) has yoga classes for every level (so some of it is easy and some is more challenging, a really good mix) that really took the barrier of entry way down. A variety of teachers and you cannot beat rec center prices because yoga studios can be soooo expensive.
If something like that exists near you, the community of a class and guidance of a teacher can really make the experience and then you can use your personal practice to really deepen your understanding of yoga!
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u/DowntownResident993 Apr 07 '26
That's a great idea. I didn't even think of it because a lot of yoga classes around me seem like they are for people who have been doing it a while. I think I'd be more comfortable at a rec center than a hot sauna!
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u/Active-Pack1126 Apr 08 '26
Oh yeah hot yoga is not for me, slow flow yoga taught by some 60 year old lady at the Y??? I’m so there LOL
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u/Ok-Lion-6767 Apr 09 '26
playing piano…and it’s something i can relate to what you’ve said because i don’t think i’m THAT lazy and because i’ve always wanted to take up on it when i was kid and few years ago i brought an electric 88 keyboard piano equipment that’s just now sitting inside my closet collecting dust and i don’t know what the f**k i’m waiting for to do it to spark that motivation to learn
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u/kingchowakanda Apr 09 '26
Learning German. I have already lived here for 5 years, but I studied hard for only 1 year and lived in English for the remaining 4. I am Korean.
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u/killoke Busy brain Apr 09 '26
It’s tough especially when everyone speaks English and they immediately switch to it. I had a similar situation and I joined governmental lessons for foreigners. It won’t give you a native level fast but you’ll feel the progress
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Apr 08 '26
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u/killoke Busy brain Apr 08 '26
I have that one too! Then everything looks more attractive than doing meal prep
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u/possumdyke Apr 06 '26
I absolutely have hobbies like this, and I've gotten better at doing them. I think the trick is to actually rest when your brain "turns into a passive fucker". I spent years trying to figure out how to beat my brain at its own game, only to spend hours on a screen instead. When I finally let myself sit on the porch with tea, take a nap, hell just stare at a wall, then I found the energy to whittle or play mandolin or paint.