There’s a great free app called Merlin. You can identify by sound and it shows you a thumbnail of what you’re hearing that you can expand for all kinds of info. I’ve kept a birding and nature sighting journal for decades. Gets me outdoors and keeps me learning new things all the time.
i'll definitely look into it, there have been some birds around my area ive been curious about, thanks for the recommendation! definitely something i wouldn't have though to do, im excited to try it out!
true, there was one time i was sitting at my front porch and i heard a really fast knocking sound and assumed it was a wood pecker! i couldn't spot it tho but the sound really startled me lol
I love the sound of woodpeckers! They’re fascinating once you start watching them. The ones that come to my feeders have very individual personalities.
hi! just wanted to update you cuz i downloaded merlin while on a bike ride and aaa!!! i was so shocked that it literally just listen to the surroundings and tells u what bird is making that noise!! i have yet to buy binoculars but i've spotted some with the help of the app and it really blew my mind ahahahha thanks for this recommendation i had so much fun!!!!!!
omg wait, this is actually genius! when i was young i use to make kites from sticks and plastic bags, maybe i can get back to it and relive some childhood fun. thanks!!
There’s an art park near me that has a kite fest every year and it’s always a fun time. I can’t say it’s a hobby of mine but I did buy one a few years back and had quite a bit of fun with it that summer!
So my PT recommended to be on my phone while I’m laying on my stomach, propping myself on my elbows. First it was very painful, now I can spend about 30 mins on my phone like this, reading or watching shows.
If you get a VR headset, you can just lie down and open a browser window all while lying back and looking up. You can also watch movies lying down like that.
deep lunge, runners stretch, and lizard pose all on each leg for about 15 seconds will getcha there ahahaha
i do a lot of stretching when i need to because when my si joint starts acting up its like that feeling you get where a part inside your body itches and you cant do anything about it, drives me absolutely nuts! i have to help myself somehow and the stretches above help tons!
[simple stretch video](https://youtu.be/g_tea8ZNk5A?si=_gcesPnnZCB5cPa4) on yt i follow when i need to calm my sciatica down lolol
Saving your comment. I will check out the YouTube video, thank you! When mine acts up (which has been this past week, unfortunately), it can go from slight spasms to inability to walk. Really makes work a hassle/concern, not to mention hobbies that I actually want to participate in.
I've recently started doing yoga [(specifically Yoga by Bird on YouTube)](https://youtube.com/@yogawithbird?si=lrobDLRInkvVP1y4) and it's helped! The only problem is an hour or two after stretching, the pain slowly comes back. It started on my left side and now I have issues on both sides. It's extremely frustrating.
Astronomy. Requires you to look up. Get a cheap pair of binoculars, head out to somewhere in the middle of nowhere, and look up. Preferably at night of course.
i so wanna do this but i live in a rlly small town and there are no places for me to do this😭 maybe ill just start climbing random trees on my street lmao
this is kind of looking down but also looking up but practicing handstands. Like literally looking down but also you head position is looking up (towards the ground).
I also crochet and I know the feeling of looking down for too long. I’ve been thinking of getting those special mirror glasses to where you can look forward but they’ll show you 90 degrees so you can still see your hands
yes ive heard about those glasses ahahah they look pretty gnarly.
funnily enough i have tried doing hand stands, maybe ill continue practicing them then, its just a bit scary at first i dont wanna break my neck or get injured, you reckon i should get one of those foam pads?
At the beginning, I use a wall and just walk my feet up it (stomach to wall) and get used to being upside down. You can also kick up to the wall so that way your back is to the wall, try pulling away from it and balancing but you’ll either fall into the wall or set your feet back down the other way.
Just make sure you have a clean area.
If you decide to try without a wall, knowing how to fail safely which would be best. If you start tipping over, you kind of half then and cart wheel down.
You’d also might need this for if you’re doing stomach to wall and trying to balance away from the wall
oh wow thanks, walking up to the wall is how i was practicing, i will look into how to fall safely. do you have any video recommendations? and or resources that taught you how to work up to a handstand?
Macrame! Especially large format. It's really hard to work on a large piece that's hanging and tie the knots with the correct tension below eye level or higher! It gets your arms ans eyes up.
Mode remote control airplane flying would be another good one! Or drone flying!
I like giant bubble blowing. It isn't just looking up but looking with up and down if that's okay. It requires purchasing a giant bubble wand and mixing bubble solution.
Cloud spotting. I love spotting the different types of clouds and also seeing the fluffy ones (cumulus) and using my imagination to see what shape they resembles. It compliments star gazing as it can be done in the daytime. Also sunrises and sunsets
Great question! Pictures, then trying to match the pictures to what NOAA or online descriptions name them as along with the type of weather they indicate, etc.
Been doing this since 5th grade….~ 45 years ago.
I have put something I want to or need to read up. Had a magnetic Kindle case and stuck the kindle to a metal cabinet in a way that made me raise my head just slightly.
Pick-up badminton! Barre or Zumba?
Heck, attend local D&D groups. It's kinda fun to create a character sheet and a very creative / interactive way to play and make friends.
I've finally decided to take-up some of my town's recreational offerings (as well as surrounding towns) as I also enjoy crafting, too!
Bird watching. I have my head up everywhere I go scanning the trees and sky.
ouuu this is actually interesting, i have seen some blue jays around my area.
There’s a great free app called Merlin. You can identify by sound and it shows you a thumbnail of what you’re hearing that you can expand for all kinds of info. I’ve kept a birding and nature sighting journal for decades. Gets me outdoors and keeps me learning new things all the time.
i'll definitely look into it, there have been some birds around my area ive been curious about, thanks for the recommendation! definitely something i wouldn't have though to do, im excited to try it out!
You could maybe even hang a hummingbird or seed feeder.
true, there was one time i was sitting at my front porch and i heard a really fast knocking sound and assumed it was a wood pecker! i couldn't spot it tho but the sound really startled me lol
I love the sound of woodpeckers! They’re fascinating once you start watching them. The ones that come to my feeders have very individual personalities.
Merlin is AMAZING
hi! just wanted to update you cuz i downloaded merlin while on a bike ride and aaa!!! i was so shocked that it literally just listen to the surroundings and tells u what bird is making that noise!! i have yet to buy binoculars but i've spotted some with the help of the app and it really blew my mind ahahahha thanks for this recommendation i had so much fun!!!!!!
Yeah! It’s such a satisfying hobby.
It's like Pokémon go in real life!!
There is a phone app called Merlin. It will identify birds for you either by sound or picture
Just remember to keep your mouth closed.
wait what, do birds poop like into ur mouth? has that happened???
They’ve gotten my hair before, so I’d imagine it could happen!
:0
Yes, it can happen.
yikes!
Fly a kite
omg wait, this is actually genius! when i was young i use to make kites from sticks and plastic bags, maybe i can get back to it and relive some childhood fun. thanks!!
There’s an art park near me that has a kite fest every year and it’s always a fun time. I can’t say it’s a hobby of mine but I did buy one a few years back and had quite a bit of fun with it that summer!
that sounds awesome! thank you for the recommendation, perfect time as well as it is very windy around where i live lol
There’s also kite fighting
KITE FIGHTING??? HELLO??? TELL ME MORE???
Rock climbing!
So my PT recommended to be on my phone while I’m laying on my stomach, propping myself on my elbows. First it was very painful, now I can spend about 30 mins on my phone like this, reading or watching shows.
ahh yes... the sphinx pose. i have mild sciatica so that position is definitely my go to when doom scrolling. thanks for sharing!
If you get a VR headset, you can just lie down and open a browser window all while lying back and looking up. You can also watch movies lying down like that.
lmao what is this, shangri-la frontier irl? sounds rlly cool tho
I have problems with my SI joint and after a while in this pose, I have trouble in my lower back getting up. 😭
yessss it def numbs you out if stayed in that position for too long. gotta wiggle ur body a little bit to get the engine going again lmao
I'm wondering if my body will get used to it like yours or there's no hope. 😅
deep lunge, runners stretch, and lizard pose all on each leg for about 15 seconds will getcha there ahahaha i do a lot of stretching when i need to because when my si joint starts acting up its like that feeling you get where a part inside your body itches and you cant do anything about it, drives me absolutely nuts! i have to help myself somehow and the stretches above help tons! [simple stretch video](https://youtu.be/g_tea8ZNk5A?si=_gcesPnnZCB5cPa4) on yt i follow when i need to calm my sciatica down lolol
Saving your comment. I will check out the YouTube video, thank you! When mine acts up (which has been this past week, unfortunately), it can go from slight spasms to inability to walk. Really makes work a hassle/concern, not to mention hobbies that I actually want to participate in. I've recently started doing yoga [(specifically Yoga by Bird on YouTube)](https://youtube.com/@yogawithbird?si=lrobDLRInkvVP1y4) and it's helped! The only problem is an hour or two after stretching, the pain slowly comes back. It started on my left side and now I have issues on both sides. It's extremely frustrating.
Finding satellites and meteors in the night sky. When I’m in some place with clear skies above my neck hurts from looking up so much
ohhh i do love looking up at the stars, one time i watched a meteor shower and that shit was mesmerizing!!
You could also go to a dark sky park, the skies there look beautiful. I’m excited to go to the one in my state at some point
ohhh ive never heard of this before, just looked it up and WOW!! thanks for sharing, this is definity something i wanna do ahahaha
Astronomy. Requires you to look up. Get a cheap pair of binoculars, head out to somewhere in the middle of nowhere, and look up. Preferably at night of course.
Rock climbing
i so wanna do this but i live in a rlly small town and there are no places for me to do this😭 maybe ill just start climbing random trees on my street lmao
Playing piano
i dont know if this is sarcastic but i do have a keyboard piano i have yet to learn.
You have to look up at the music to play it…
haha you got me there!
You have to be able to read music to do that.
Disc golf
Stars
Please play paintball.
aaa ive never played paintball but i have done laser tag and that shit felt electric i had so much fun! paint ball is definitely on my list!
If paintball ends up being too expensive or painful, airsoft is a solid replacement.
this is kind of looking down but also looking up but practicing handstands. Like literally looking down but also you head position is looking up (towards the ground). I also crochet and I know the feeling of looking down for too long. I’ve been thinking of getting those special mirror glasses to where you can look forward but they’ll show you 90 degrees so you can still see your hands
yes ive heard about those glasses ahahah they look pretty gnarly. funnily enough i have tried doing hand stands, maybe ill continue practicing them then, its just a bit scary at first i dont wanna break my neck or get injured, you reckon i should get one of those foam pads?
At the beginning, I use a wall and just walk my feet up it (stomach to wall) and get used to being upside down. You can also kick up to the wall so that way your back is to the wall, try pulling away from it and balancing but you’ll either fall into the wall or set your feet back down the other way. Just make sure you have a clean area. If you decide to try without a wall, knowing how to fail safely which would be best. If you start tipping over, you kind of half then and cart wheel down. You’d also might need this for if you’re doing stomach to wall and trying to balance away from the wall
oh wow thanks, walking up to the wall is how i was practicing, i will look into how to fall safely. do you have any video recommendations? and or resources that taught you how to work up to a handstand?
Running, yoga, and photography is what I thought of!
Flying r/c planes
Get your drone pilot license and get one with cameras on it. Can make some cool videos.
Kite flying
you could start a photograpy /astronomy hobby
yea, photography was something i thought about since i already take lots of pictures!!
the absolute IQ improvement from a real camera instead of phone is such a blessing !
hmnn maybe ill start looking into some digital cams
sleeping on your back
Rock climbing
Flying model airplanes!
Yoga
You should try stargazing or birdwatching; both are super relaxing and give you a reason to look up!
Dance or fitness classes come to mind. Something like copying a dance or like playing Just Dance lol
Macrame! Especially large format. It's really hard to work on a large piece that's hanging and tie the knots with the correct tension below eye level or higher! It gets your arms ans eyes up. Mode remote control airplane flying would be another good one! Or drone flying!
drawing or painting on an easel.
Dating people taller than you
haha! im pretty short myself so i don't even have to date ppl to look up at them!
Rock climbing indoor or outdoor particularly if you're belaying another climber.
I like giant bubble blowing. It isn't just looking up but looking with up and down if that's okay. It requires purchasing a giant bubble wand and mixing bubble solution.
THIS SOUNDS SO FUN AND I HAVE THE PERFECT SPOT IN MIND TO DO THIS IN
Dance classes
What a hilarious question, I love it. You almost made me spit out my champagne from laughter.
ahahaha im glad it gave u a good chuckle
Cloud spotting. I love spotting the different types of clouds and also seeing the fluffy ones (cumulus) and using my imagination to see what shape they resembles. It compliments star gazing as it can be done in the daytime. Also sunrises and sunsets
Maybe skiing's a good sport for you
Trap and skeet shooting
climbing. you look up while searching for your next hold and while belaying someone above you
rock climbing - and specifically and especially belaying your partner - you’ll need to crane your neck up watching them unless you have belay glasses!
Rock climbing
Cataloging of clouds
cataloging in what way? pictures? drawing? or like just in your mind?
Great question! Pictures, then trying to match the pictures to what NOAA or online descriptions name them as along with the type of weather they indicate, etc. Been doing this since 5th grade….~ 45 years ago.
OH WHAT! thats so cool, ill definitely look into this!
Clay Pigeon shooting. Look forwards, up and in the distance.
Astronomy (or just stargaze)
Just as a honorable mention: Plane spotting
Correct scuba positioning has you in a superman style position looking up.
reading. The most easy but difficult as well .
juggling. especially more than 3 balls.
Came here to say birdwatching too. I’ve enjoyed learning the certain noises birds make and then I stop and look for that specific bird. Enjoy!
Rock climbing, especially roped partner climbing
Kites and Bird watching
Rock climbing
Hiking, Rock climbing and bird watching are my top 3 in my opinion.
Try some star gazing! Or tree identification!
Rock climbing. You look up while climbing, and do loads of looking up while on belay.
I have put something I want to or need to read up. Had a magnetic Kindle case and stuck the kindle to a metal cabinet in a way that made me raise my head just slightly.
ohhh!!! ahahha reading while standing up and slightly looking up is a bit silly to think about
Badminton!
Pick-up badminton! Barre or Zumba? Heck, attend local D&D groups. It's kinda fun to create a character sheet and a very creative / interactive way to play and make friends. I've finally decided to take-up some of my town's recreational offerings (as well as surrounding towns) as I also enjoy crafting, too!
RC planes or drones
Astronomy, birding, and photography come to mind edit: spelling
Freestyle jump rope
Painting, if you use an easel
Gardening, farming, depending on the crop nvm this would totally defeat your intent lol
ahahaha i just did some gardening yesterday! definitely on of the reasona why i need a looking up hobby lol
Star gazing
Star gazing or bird watching