Extreme introvert. Though I enjoy spending time with people sometimes, it's tiring, and the more people there are the more quickly I become exhausted. I spend most of my day home with our dogs. I never feel alone, rather, I feel recharged, focused and productive.
Spring to Fall I take long walks (w/dogs), hike (w/dogs), backpack (w/dogs) mountaineer, mountain bike, road bike and volunteer at remote aid stations for bike and trail running races in our area (i.e. set up a tent and hang out in the woods/desert alone for a day or so). My spouse joins me for many activities since we do the same things, but often our schedules don't align. Lately we've also been doing some habitat restoration projects in the summer where we work all day as a 2-person team to dig ditches, haul materials and repair eroded trails in extremely remote areas. Technically it's a job, but for us it's more of a fun hobby since we're basically being paid to go backpacking.
Fall to Spring I Nordic ski (w dogs), Alpine ski, backcountry ski, and snowshoe. Nordic and snowshoeing we tend to stick together if we're out together, but we generally split up at the ski resort. Even if we are together at the resort, we use the "singles" lift line since it's more about exercising than socializing. On the chairlifts I just pretend that my music is too loud if strangers try to speak to me. Works like a charm even if I'm not wearing earphones.
For indoor activities I collect and listen to vinyl. There's also minutes each morning and evening that I spend brushing and grooming our dogs. Two years ago I learned how to wire a solar system, and so I built a system for our shed to charge all our battery powered lawn and construction tools. I also enjoy trip planning for ski/bike/hike trips and other getaways. I can get lost doing that for hours. This summer we'll need to repaint the exterior trim on our house, but I suppose that's more of a fair weather activity.
Since I can easily turn into a complete loner, I make a point to spend time with people doing charitable work. I'm on a working board where I volunteer as a grant writer, and I volunteer once a week at our local senior center to hang out with the old timers and otherwise do fairly mindless stuff (sweep, mop, clean windows, etc.). Still draining to be around people, but I like the fact that it's scheduled and my help is appreciated.
It was enjoyable to read about other hobbies people have. My better-half jokes that I started my business because I needed something to do since I don't watch sports or play video games. In truth, if it wasn't for my hobbies I would probably just work all the time. So the more hobbies I have, the less time I have to work, which makes me happier.
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