Author Topic: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)  (Read 5982 times)

ayylmao

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What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« on: December 20, 2015, 03:37:29 PM »
I'm a 15 year old mustachian by nature because I never had any money at all, and because I was never given that much luxury. Thoughout my childhood we never had money for us to do anything with. Divorced parents meant it was even harder to get money to see my mom down south. That was what saving ended up being spent on, but I needed it, I needed to see my mom, I was a little kid! Off topic, sorry. So basically, when the game cubes were going bye bye and the wii started existing, that's when I got my GameCube. I still play it all the time. I got a computer (a ridiculously cheap and ancient laptop) when I was younger and that, in short, was my childhood. A shit laptop and a GameCube. Nothing else because we couldn't afford to do it, we were trapped in bill to bill payments.

So as a result, I am here, RIDICULOUSLY weak and without any skills except being really good at using and understanding computers, and 90wpm. I want to make a change, but I have no idea where to start. I want to do body weight work because I am very weak, but how am I supposed to do that if I can barely do a push up and my posture is shit? I need your help here.

Also, I would really like to get into DIY, because to be honest, every single one of my ideas I come up with now, I would have to cut out holes in metal, or have some degree of skill in woodworking. But I have neither. Where the hell do I start, the mustachian way, saving as much while still gaining skill. YouTube videos are nice and all, but I really need hands on experience. This is what I don't get about myself, I absolutely love hands on experiences but I never do them, and endless computers do nothing but pass time for me. I need to flip that around to be happier!

So from my childhood, I have become naturally good with money. I have successfully saved $2500, 100% of what I have earned since July from my first job. (Shorter hours now, that's why it's so little, before it was $206 a week, but now that school is here, $47.52 every week.) So, at 15, I am rich, purely because I didn't spend any of it... Because I don't want anything. I don't buy new clothes, I wear the same thing, the cheapest things. I gawk at anything over $300. Just part of me. How can I use it to learn some useful, stimulating and physical life skills?

So... In short:

- how do I get/learn x the mustachian way?
X= fit when you can't lift a 15 lb dumbbell, bike riding, mountain climbing, woodworking
,metalworking (esp. cutting) , welding, and soldering skills without YouTube or ridiculously expensive classes?

matchewed

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2015, 03:48:09 PM »
Google bodyweight exercise regimen beginner/novice. There are modifications for bodyweight exercises when you can't do the more advanced ones. Ex: http://neatstrength.com/beginner-bodyweight-workout-plan/

You learn X by doing or reading. Sort of how you learned how to understand computers. Why is YouTube not an option?

At 15 can't you take shop classes at school? Are there technical vocational schools that you could attend?

pbkmaine

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2015, 03:53:14 PM »
Maybe start hanging out at a metal shop, saying you'd like to learn? Many people love teaching.


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ayylmao

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2015, 03:55:31 PM »
A "metal shop?" As you've read, Istay inside all the time, so I don't even know what that is. Kind of sad. Can you explain?

ayylmao

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2015, 03:59:24 PM »
Google bodyweight exercise regimen beginner/novice. There are modifications for bodyweight exercises when you can't do the more advanced ones. Ex: http://neatstrength.com/beginner-bodyweight-workout-plan/

You learn X by doing or reading. Sort of how you learned how to understand computers. Why is YouTube not an option?

At 15 can't you take shop classes at school? Are there technical vocational schools that you could attend?

(Sorry for jumbles at some time, tablets are really, really bad. IBM Model M FTW)
Sorry, I go to a catholic school (even though I'm atheist, thank you parent >.>) and they expect very one to become mathematicians or doctors or lawyers or some stupid thing that costs way to much in the first place. Anyway, because of all the "prospective lawyers" getting 60s in their classes because they don't care, there is no shop class. I damn well would take a shop class in a heartbeat if there was one.

I never thought of reading a book before, that sounds good! I won't be able to instant gratification-orama my learning session with my easily distracted self (at least when on PC). I can't watch YouTube because I get distracted very easily by things on a PC, all the things I think about end up on the screen, which is good and bad. Do you think I could get some books at a flea market? My library has jack, I've been inside before and it's just... useless, unfortunately.

matchewed

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2015, 04:06:43 PM »
Inter-library loans, public libraries.

plainjane

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2015, 05:01:25 PM »
Have you looked at your local library for resources beyond just books?  My city library has a 3-d printer and programs around that.  I'm sure there is support for teens who are interested.

Is there a tool library around?  There are several bike repair co-ops around here too.  Have you looked up any maker spaces nearby?  Again, there are often opportunities for teens as part of their outreach programs.

Understanding computers is a great skill to build on.  I don't know the right terms to search for, but I know that there are weekend and longer events around here where people work on apps together.

Jack

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2015, 05:04:05 PM »
A "metal shop?" As you've read, Istay inside all the time, so I don't even know what that is. Kind of sad. Can you explain?

A shop where people fabricate things out of metal. In other words, a business where people do the sort of DIY stuff you want to learn. Find one, go there, and ask for an apprenticeship or something.

pbkmaine

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2015, 05:09:46 PM »
There are businesses that fabricate metals. There are also body shops, where cars go to get fixed. There are professional carpenters, who work with wood. Plumbers and heating contractors work with metal. Most of these businesses have apprenticeships, where young people go to work after high school. Is there a business district near you that might have some of these businesses? Showing up and showing an interest could lead to part-time work and a future job.

As far as computers go, learn programming. There are many places online to do this. You might want to go to a website called codeacademy and look around. This forum is full of software engineers who can help steer you. Coding can lead to a career with very good pay.



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mozar

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2015, 02:34:24 PM »
Read this book: 'What color is your parachute' (free pdf) http://www.joycenter.net/wp-content/uploads/parachute2012.pdf

Also hang out in this forum. Click on posts about "career changes" "computers" or "engineering." Just reading about other peoples lives will help.

jonchappelle

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Re: What are some things I can do with my life (hobbies)
« Reply #10 on: December 22, 2015, 01:37:08 PM »
The easiest thing to do is to take advantage of anything your school has to offer. CrossCountry team? Track team? Weightlifting gym? Even if they don't have a gym, they might have access to a gym somewhere for students. Ask the guidance councelor what the school can provide towards your interests. Your parents are paying for it anyways!

Running sports are some of the easiest to get into. All you need are shoes and shorts. Everyone starts and finishes at different points, and you learn to push your own limits and grow. They teach a lot that can be applied to any other sport/hobby/life encounter. You will gain some minor strength from running that may help you get into other weight lifting activities easier. At the very least you'll learn how to push yourself physically. 100$ in gear, couch to 5k plan on internet, find trails outside, parks, sidewalks, start free-running! anything...

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!