Hobbies

I have been thinking more about what the Parkinsons nurse said to my Dad yesterday, that activity, interests and exercise go hand in hand with medication. That being active, doing hobbies, getting out and interacting with people are as important as the chemical help he can get.

When the nurse suggested drawing or painting, his immediate comment was that he would find that difficult. Not because of his illness, more that he is a perfectionist and always struggled to be happy with any art he did. I guess it is a common issue to “struggle with your art” anyway.

The nurse suggested even just doing 5 minutes art once a week, then increasing it to more as the weeks went on. That he should see it as a project to work on, not something that he needs to get right immediately. She said to go back to what a 6-year-old would do for art - just do something as it will really help with his cognition.

“Easier said than done…” he said to me after she went, meaning that her giving well-meant advice is far easier than him actually taking action and doing it, despite how good it will be for him.

I could see how this was true as I do it to myself. I can give them the good advice about what I think people should do, but ignore my own needs, dismissing them as “too much effort” or “not worth it”. I feel as if I haven’t got space to take on anything extra, that I don’t matter enough to be allowed - even if it could change my life.