Remember when Gamergate began and they called us all Nazi's, Alt-Right, Fascists, Incels, Basement Dwellers, Sexists etc...
Jump forward to 2021 and look how that shit is now just mainstream as fuck.
Anti-Mandate? = "Alt Right"
Anti-Vax? = "Alt Right"
Tradies Protesting Their Union Bosses? = "Alt Right"
Nurses Protesting Mandates? = "Supposed Nurses. Probably Just Alt Right Goons in Disguise."
Kind of amazing in its own disturbed way to see just how mainstream this shit is nowadays. I'm used to being called an "Alt Righter"...I've been one ever since 2014 apparently ;)
But now? Everyone who doesn't conform is of the "Alt Right"
At least it's warm :D
Exactly.
On the bright side, I've found so many cool new hobbies, have gone back and played so many old games I grew up with (I can't find anymore Metroidvanias damnit!) have been saving a shit ton more money because I'm not wasting it on pointless consumer products that are just going to piss me off because of the social messaging in it, and so much more.
Besides, I've always been a book person as well. So now that I have a reason to read more books, it's been refreshing. If there's one thing the world will never be short on it's decent books. Thankfully there's a massive back catalog of hundreds of years — thousands in some cases.
I'm definitely much happier than I was.
Thats why the left wants to censor books and get people to consooom ereaders... makiing censorship of 'problematic' novels even easier.
What are some cool hobbies?
Firearms. Get your FOID card if your state requires one, pick up an inexpensive plinking rifle or handgun, and see if your local gun shops have a group. Learn how to shoot and defend yourself at the same time.
Same thing goes for other martial hobbies - archery, slinging, HEMA, Eastern martial arts, MMA/Judo, what have you. The physical ones will help your health, both physical and mental. With archery and slinging you'll be honing your skills and learning ways to hunt or defend yourself that don't require refined black powder and bullets. Word of warning on historical stuff, though - stay the hell away from most SCA groups, as they are typically pozzed AF.
Hunting/fishing/hiking/camping/other outdoors sports. Your mileage may vary depending on how into outdoorsy stuff you are, but at the very least hiking is a good one. Long walks in nature can help clear your mind and center your spirit.
Creative stuff like painting or sculpting, your choice on medium and style. Other things in the same vein include woodworking and metalworking (including blacksmithing).
In a similar ballpark, learn a musical instrument. Start small if you don't want to drop a lot of cash on it, something like a harmonica or tin whistle. If you want to stick with music as a hobby it then you can move on to something more involved like guitar, piano, sax, or a horn of some sort.
Gardening. You can go for a flower/zen garden if you have the space for it and want someplace to center yourself and meditate as you tend to it, or you can learn more about actual gardening and growing your own foodstuffs. This can also lead to getting into canning/preserves.
Cooking. Learning to properly cook your own food can be very rewarding, and as an added bonus you can eat healthier and you'll likely save money in the long run by not eating carry-out or fast food as much.
Thanks!
Archery is fun.
ATV/Dirtbikes are great.
Camping in more secluded places.
Shooting ranges.
Wood-burning and calligraphy. Those aren't as excited but are fun on a rainy day or when you don't have much energy.
Playing 'Go' again has been fun but is pretty time consuming.
Trail Hiking.
Panning for gold. I wanna try mining for it a bit but I feel like it'd be more of a waste of time, you know?
Whittling (which I'm shit at and need more practice)
Sculpting with clay. (same but easier)
Fishing.
Teaching myself piano.
I want to try car restoration because I had an Uncle when I was young who rebuilt cars and it was always cool to help.
Photography — which I wanna try film instead of digital soon.
Starting your own food garden in case things ever get rough you have some knowledge.
Learning Psychology/body language
Writing.
Gym/Exercise/playing some sports (mostly just shooting hoops.)
Those are just some. I'm sure in the last 5 or 6 years I've done a few other things here and there. It's been a lot of fun. I feel like I've grown more as a person trying a bunch of new hobbies than I ever did just staring at a screen.
Thanks!