 For those who missed our first post on this subject, we like to occasionally offer ideas for FUN (based on Glasser’s Five Basic Human Needs) ACTIVITIES (based on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy coping skills). Stress is a common theme in all our lives, and proactive self-care can make a big difference in our personal resiliency. Without further ado, here are three more obscure & unusual hobbies for good mental health. Postcrossing Perfect for people who feel isolated due to social anxiety or are unable to leave home, Postcrossing is a fun twist on snail mail. Sign-up is free, and the only participation costs are postcards and postage. You’ll send and receive postcards to and from people all over the world, post photos of the cards sent and received, and see what cards others have sent and received. The U.S. Postal Service even has a "Global Forever" stamp in honor of the hobby.  The site owners do a good job of protecting private information - you can’t access everyone’s addresses directly, for example - but the individuals with whom you are randomly matched will have access to your posted mailing address. If you prefer an additional layer of privacy, renting a post office box is recommended. Browse through their FAQs page to get a good idea of what it is and how it works. And you never know - you might one day receive one from us!  Sashiko For those who crave serenity, there is Sashiko. For a good introduction and understanding of Sashiko, please check out our book recommendation for July 2026, Sashiko: The Untold Story. More than just a style of embroidery, Sashiko is a deep Japanese cultural tradition born out of necessity and revived for its art. Its beauty is in developing the rhythm between human, needle, thread, and fabric - a rhythm that is meditative and forgiving of mistakes while striving for quality. The process is best executed with mindful intention, prayer, or the telling of stories, slowly and with focus on the mo(ve)ment at hand. The end result is the beauty and utility of the work of one’s hands.  Paper Vine (Eco Vine) Weaving Lastly, for our environmentalist friends, there is paper vine weaving, sometimes called eco vine weaving. Another inexpensive hobby, this involves using packing paper (I think of the paper used for packing that comes in Amazon boxes) cut into sections and rolled, then coated in glue. The tubes are moistened prior to weaving. Due to their flexibility, they are excellent for small, intricate creations as well as larger baskets and trays. They are treated in the end with additional glue or varnish, which makes the final product sturdy, durable, and surface washable. Weevyn has good information for beginners, as well as a short introductory video to get you started. As always, we encourage you to get off the electronics and have some real world, tactile fun - even if you’re not currently able to leave your house. It’s good for you and, in some cases, good for the environment, too. *We are not affiliated with any of the product manufacturers listed above, and do not receive any compensation for listing them. In fact, we’re pretty sure they are unaware we exist.
Heidi E. Jameson, LMHC is the founder of The Mangroves Seeds of Change, LLC. You can read more about her here.
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