I keep cutting out things like social media from my lifestyle, but I’m finding it hard to fill the time. Reading can only go so far, there’s never anything on TV, and my friends all live twelve miles away.
So, before we really had social media, what did teenagers do?
Bicycle and generally playing outdoors. But it was easier when I was a kid, because I was a kid and all my kid friends lived in the same neighborhood.
I would love more non-screen, manual-work hobbies. Crafting, woodworking, etc. But these need space and equipment. Check if you have a hackerspace nearby, that would be a good place to check out. Larger hackerspaces tend to have woodworking, metalworking, electronics and other tools available, as well as some fancy laser cutters and CNC machines.
Thanks! According to the Wiki, the nearest hackerspace to me is in Middlesborough, which is about 80 km away; however, both my dad and my grandad have their fair shares of electrical, woodworking, metalworking, and masonry tools, so I’ll be able to find something to work with if I come up with a project idea.
That’s the spirit!
Here’s a crazy, far-fetched idea: there are bound to be a bunch of other people in the area that might be in a similar pickle. Maybe consider starting your own local hackerspace. 😉
I helped start one 15y ago (still going, but I moved out of that city) and am reanimating another that has been dormant for a while. Pretty good way to meet interesting people.
That sounds like a great idea! I’m still in sixth form for the time being, but I might put out a survey and try to rent out some premises in the town when I’m older. Businesses are moving out left, right and centre (make of that what you will), so there are plenty of places that would make a good hackerspace.