Feminine hobbies?

[Curiosity666]

While I suppose you could say that dressing is a hobby in itself, does anyone find that their hobbies are either feminine, or not so feminine? Or do you think that there is no such thing as a feminine or masculine hobby?

I enjoy Motorsports (both driving and swinging spanners) and video games, which are seen by the mainstream as "manly".

[victoria76]

It's funny, I was going to do a thread on this, too...
I am into antiques, mainly silver. I guess that goes either way. :)

[Curiosity666]

It's funny, I was going to do a thread on this, too...


Great minds think alike it seems :)

[victoria76]

Indeed so! :)

[Sarah Louise]

I'm a big fan of football (soccer) which in the UK is traditionally a masculine pastime. I go to premiership games regularly. Interestingly, this is the only time when I completely switch off from thinking about dressing. I also like rugby which is about the most manly sport you can get.

However, I do have my more girly side. I love gardening and growing flowers in particular. I also love west end musicals. As I said on a recent thread, I cry at emotional movies.

[Terrylynn]

That's an interesting question. I have a number of more or less masculine hobbies but dont know of any feminine hobbies other than shopping or sewing. I'll have to ask my wife about that.

[Teresa]

Curiosity,
I remember a reply I gave to a member who called CDing a hobby ! At the time I was going through a bad patch and told them that hobbies do not cause the traumatic times I've had with my CDing, so I still don't call it a hobby but did post a thread apologising to members who do see it as a hobby !

As for feminine hobbies, I've had to teach myself to sew and use a machine ! I Love painting but that's something both sexes can enjoy !

[KittyD]

Hey :)

Uhm... My main hobby is trying to find women's shoes for my size uk10 feet :D
Pretty limited choice out there!

[Curiosity666]

Curiosity,
I remember a reply I gave to a member who called CDing a hobby ! At the time I was going through a bad patch and told them that hobbies do not cause the traumatic times I've had with my CDing, so I still don't call it a hobby but did post a thread apologising to members who do see it as a hobby !

As for feminine hobbies, I've had to teach myself to sew and use a machine ! I Love painting but that's something both sexes can enjoy !

Teresa,

If you don't think hobbies can ruin lives try building a racecar!

That being said I agree that for some people it's certainly more then a hobby. I suppose it depends on why you dress.

[Nigella]

Is it a small wonder when our own community pigeon hole masculine and feminine traits, that cding is seen as weird? A hobby is a hobby, it is done because it is enjoyed by the individuals participating, not because it is the done thing by a male or female.

[Teresa]

Curiosity,
It nearly took me to considering suicide ! My dressing started as sexual and has remained that way ever since ! So you see my point about it being hard to accept it when people call it a hobby ! To some I now know it is possibly bordering obsession to have more shoes, clothes and all, but my dressing is not about that !

[Marcelle]

Hi Curiosity,

A sound question but I believe what you really meant was do you have hobbies which society see as more feminine vice masculine. As Nigella pointed out hobbies are hobbies. My daughter played rugby for years (which some would consider more manly than say competitive dancing) but she also loves to cook but then again so do I. I don't think the hobby per se is feminine or masculine it is just a hobby being enjoyed by one gender or the other. Not hacking on your thread so please don't take it that way, just clarifying my response.

Hugs

Isha

[Katey888]

Lucy - I think we encounter gender stereotypes a lot in our discussions here, and this is probably one of those times.. :)

Some pastimes will have stereotypical gender participation either because of physical traits (some sports, but fewer nowadays) or societal conformity (baking cakes used to be the province of the homemaker, but I love my baking.. :)). Others will be non-gender specific and then we will always have those individuals that go against type... but overall I feel that there are fewer gender barriers than their used to be, as far as pastimes are concerned.

Is this a hobby? :eek: A few may consider it so - possibly more not on this forum may see it as a fetish hobby or sexual cosplay, but I don't believe that's true for most of us. I think a deeper drive takes it beyond a hobby categorisation, and the need for some of us to pursue our presentation in public, with all the potential for ridicule and stigma associated with that, says to me that this deeper drive is what makes many of us transgender, just to differing degrees.. else why would we feel such a need to portray an image that society so strongly tells us belongs to the opposite gender..?

I like motorsports, NFL, action flicks and carpentry. I also like cake-baking, art, dance, music and literature. I abhor violence and love animals. I don't think any of those are incompatible with either my male or female aspects. :) (The picture changes a little if you add in that I enjoy makeup, nail-art and high-heels, but then you all know that I'm talking about those as participative interests, rather than just seeing them displayed on GGs.. which I enjoy too... :D)

We can be a wildly varied and eclectic community at best...

Katey x

[DMichele]

Lucy,

I enjoy collecting classical and romantic-type music (CDs and DVDs) and listening to oldies from the 60s and 70s. The classical and romantic music is probably more frequently associated with GGs then guys, as evidenced by the number of women who attend the concerts (DVDs). I enjoy this music as it often touches my heart and triggers my emotions, i.e. brings me to tears. I believe there is healing power in the music so I bask in it weekly. (So maybe this actually isn't a hobby but a therapeutic treatment).

The responses of others caused me to think that maybe there are other typical feminine interest to explore.

D Michele

[JamieG]

My "feminine" hobbies: ballet, musical theater, makeup
My "masculine" hobbies: microbrew appreciation, watching football (although I'm kind of getting sick of the NFL), science fiction, horror, computer programming

Jamie

[Kate Simmons]

A hobby is kind of a personal past time no matter what it is. :)

[Justice327]

I need to find a more feminine Hobby as well. I like working on my import car. That tickles my fancy, going fast and loud, like fast and furious.

2003 Nissan Maxima
3.5 liter v6 turbo. 400 bhp 1/4 10.67 seconds. (Last run)

Since we are talking about this and my mind is on it how bad would it mess everyone up at the drag stop if justice pulled up in the maxx. Lol

[alicelyn]

Sewing and collecting vintage clothing

[Carly CD]

Teresa,

If you don't think hobbies can ruin lives try building a racecar!

That being said I agree that for some people it's certainly more then a hobby. I suppose it depends on why you dress.

Lol I was gonna say the same thing Curiosity. I used to race dirt late models myself. We had over $100K in cars and equipment, plus the cost of the rig to haul it all, toss in racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, in the shop every week night. It is hard on a family. Not to mentioned some of the very nasty crashes my family watched me go through.

But like Teresa said CDing is different levels for different people. I don't consider it a hobby but sometimes it feels like it because of the money I spend on it :)

Now to get back to the OP. I have both "men and women" hobbies. I like NFL, love the NHL, like racing, hunting, video games. But I also enjoy collecting anything with fairies ( even have a tattoo of one one my back), I like too sew and love to cook.

But my wife is the same.When we met she owned a Sprint Car lol. She loves college football and hockey, plus her scrap-booking and crafts.

[MissTee]

Backdrop: In my life I have had a lot of hobbies, many of which I like to classify them as "short term, extreme interest." I will find something that either looks neat or appeals to me, then focus intently on that for a few months or a few years. Then, I lose interest and am on to the next thing. That behavior used to bother me. However, as with CD-ing, I've accepted that's how I am. For the past decade I've made it a point to try 2 new things every year.

I shared the above because being OK with dressing has opened doors to trying things I never would have ventured into before. For the purpose of this thread I'll put those in the feminine hobby bucket. With that in mind, I have been working on nail art as a hobby. I love art (painting, drawing, etc.) and I see fingernails as ten tiny canvases with loads of creative potential. I do my wife's nails as well as my daughters, and have recently started doing other GG's my wife refers to me (note: my wife picks who gets my artistic attention in this space.) During the recent football playoffs I have done so many team themes for the ladies I had to ask my wife to slow down on referrals. Starting to get a lot of "would you please, please . . ." requests for the upcoming Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day.

Again, as hobbies go, nail art would be my girliest thing.

[Jillian Faith]

On the feminine side I am the designated cook in the family, have a 5th degree black belt in shopping and have a love of girlie shows like Vanderpump rules and What not to wear.

On the masculine side I'm a competitive shooter and love college sports especially football and baseball

[jamielynn_ca]

Jillian, too funny! My wife loves watching those shows, she thought it tortured me so I had to tell her that I loved them too so she'd quit looking for other shows we could both enjoy.

On the masculine side I love fishing.

[CarlaWestin]

So, one of my buddies at work, just the other day, said, "So, C_____y. What do you do when you're not at work?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know. Do you hunt, fish, ride a quad in the desert? Do you have any hobbies or read any good books?"
As my mind's eye flipped through all the outfits that Carla wears I replied, "Hmm? You know, I really don't have any hobbies. I take care of the yard and house. And the wife and I just enjoy our time together with the animals and going out to dinner and, well, just being with each other."
Somehow, practically everything other than playing dress up just seems so boring.

[DeeInGeorgia]

When I was young, cooking, sewing, cross stitch, ballet. Now, cooking, sewing, helping my wife with quilting, embroidery, square dancing (both M&F).

[justmetoo]

I agree with Nigella, Isha and Katey, a hobby is a hobby, feminine or masculine shouldn't enter into it (unfortunately it often does in the minds of many people). GGs get flack when they engage in male-dominated hobbies. GMs (genetic males) get flack when they engage in female-dominated hobbies. But there are plenty of exceptions (even among people who take it beyond a hobby and do it professionally - cooking is a great example). People should just do what they enjoy. Several of my hobbies are in male-dominated arenas, but some of my other hobbies/interests are often perceived as feminine. One example, like Katey I like to bake (cookies and brownies more than cakes) and do a pretty good job. Someone I knew once asked me if I was gay (he was okay if I was) and one of the things he cited was my baking. :lol:
I have done a bit of sewing, and want to learn to knit. Are those feminine hobbies? I don't really care. :)

We as a society (and this forum as a subset of that society) put too much emphasis on the gender binary, in my opinion. It's all a "battle of the sexes", toys, hobbies, jobs, careers, emotions, clothing, movies and other media, etc., etc. ad nauseum. It will be much better for everyone when we get past that and let people be themselves, without trying to pitch everything into boy bins and girl bins. That's when there will be true equality, I think.

[lynda]

hi girls ,i just do what i like ,i dont take time or the trouble to think if is it male or female,i like surfing,ilike water colors painting .ican sew and cook,lots of the best cooks are men and so are the suit makers , my thing is this do something creative a day .surf play your guitar , bake, cook ,paint whatever, it keeps you young. as transgender people we already have a lot on our plates.we dont need to worry if our hobbies are male or female. love hugs lynda

,

[Mia27]

I love to renovate and organize:P not to feminine, but nothing feels better than a clean home, and everything in its spot! Plus new furniture put in! Ugh.. I get such a rush sometimes:P it's even better if I'm dressed up while cleaning and getting things in place. I'm pretty much the house wife in my relationship:P but I don't mind at all!!:)

[Kandi Robbins]

Beside exercise/running/lifting and music, I have no real hobby that occupies my mind or my time.

I have found that crossdressing throughout my life always rushed in to fill gaps (except when it was stress induced, which always trumped everything). When I have had gaps in time or mental gaps (I went from a job where I used my mind to one that is completely and utterly mindless) the pink fog rolls in and envelopes me. So here I am, going from self-hate, binge and purge, to wrapping my arms around this gift and running with it!

I guess to answer the question, as I always thing as a man, my hobbies, while fairly unisex, feel male to me.

[CynthiaD]

I love counted cross stitch embroidery, and embroidery in general. You can do so much with it! I've been working on a set of things for the kitchen. Towels, bread cloths, napkins, etc. I also made a set of refrigerator magnets, and several wall hangings. You can stitch things onto your clothes, and the possibilities are endless. A plain tee shirt is boring, and not particularly feminine. But a tee shirt with a couple of butterflies stitched in it, that's a different story.

I like to wear red nail polish when I stitch, because I like to see my feminine hands in action. It's also good to wear a long skirt or maxi dress when you're stitching, becaus then things fall in your lap instead of on the floor. Have you ever tried to find a needle in deep pile carpet?

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi C-666, I enjoy using my sewing machine.:hugs:

[StarrOfDelite]

I collect Christmas stuff: Clothique Santas, David Winter houses, teddy bears in Xmas outfits, figurines, limited edition ornaments.

I collect male admirers in a Serialist sort of way.

I obsessively follow Ohio State football, including recruiting and the spring game, and practice updates. Very sick!

I diet and exercise compulsively so I can look thin and younger than my calendar age.

[Rhian]

I don't really have any female hobbies. My hobby's are playing Sunday league football, I watch Championship football every other week (if you can call it football). play video games and love going to indie rock gigs. The media I consume is also very stereotypically male. Girly things like cooking, baking, painting, musical, shipping etc bore me to tears.

[Aprilweathers]

Just like the OP,

I find myself bored by most hobbies typically associated as feminine. Gossip mags, shopping trips, romantic comedies, dancing, reality TV, arts and crafts, yoga... even candy crush. Boring stuff to me. The only activities I enjoy that are stereotypically considered 'girly' are cooking and decorating my home.

I live alone, but it isn't your typical bachelor pad with a fridge full of beer and pizza boxes.

I've created a well appointed home for myself, smart furniture that fits the rooms, window treatments and guest towels. My friends have asked if I am secretly married (not to my knowledge) or have a maid (certainly can't afford that). The kitchen is stocked with fresh food to prepare good meals from scratch, or close to it. Leftover roast rack of lamb with Burgundy wine and rosemary sauce, fresh chicken, veggies, herbs, spices, teas, coffees, all consumed off of actual place settings at an honest to God table. I experiment a lot in the kitchen and it's fun for me to try and replicate the results of a fine restaurant meal in my own kitchen, though results will vary.

That being said, I don't really see keeping a neat and well set place and cooking good food as feminine pursuits per se. I do them because I have to eat, and have to have a place to keep my stuff safe and keep me away from rain and cold weather. So the stuff I eat and the place I sleep/spend time in are the way I like them out of need to a degree. Plus, I've personally done a lot of the tile work in my bathrooms and ripped out carpet wherever it existed to put hard wood flooring in. Redid the kitchen cabinetry and slapped in some new counter top templates. Custom base boards, trim and crown coped by hand throughout. So some parts of these hobbies are distinctly un-feminine if you consider that men still dominate the construction trades. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[minerva79]

I pursued a number of pastime in the past, cos I just get bored rather easily. Cut down on most of them now, since pursuing a career comes first over almost everything, but I'd still managed to maintained my photography and doll collection. Still bring out the bass guitar half the time when I have a chance. Don't know if any of these are really feminine though...

[Dianne S]

My hobbies are quite gender-neutral. I play the piano for relaxation, and I like cooking. Neither activity is particularly "masculine" or "feminine", I guess.

[Robin777]

When I was a lot younger, back when I was in my pre-teen and teenage years I liked to make latch hook rugs and make things in macrame. The macrame I sold and the rugs I kept. Now my hobby is woodworking and home remodeling plus dressing and collecting clothing.

[DorothyElizabeth]

I have a psychological problem with designating pursuits as "masculine" or "feminine".

That said, my mother raised four boys, of which I was the eldest. She firmly believed that everyone regardless of gender, should know how to cook, clean house, do laundry (including ironing and pressing) and sew. When I was in the ninth grade, she made me make my own short-sleeved oxford cloth button down shirt, AND WEAR IT TO SCHOOL!!!! (you KNOW I wasn't gonna screw that up - kids are ruthless in their judgment of other kids)

So I am a good cook, and own copies of Fannie Farmer and Joy of Cooking as my two "Bibles"; I am a good seamstress, and often make clothing for both myself and friends.

I also am a musician - I played piccolo, flute and tenor sax for four years as a US Navy musician - most of my "jobs" now are "freebies" just because I love playing, especially in theater pit orchestras. I play all the woodwinds, although I must admit my double reed playing is pretty marginal. As one of my musician friends says, "I am a professional musician; I got paid once." LOL

I also do clock repair in my spare time. I specialize in 18th century clocks because I like fabricating parts "from scratch", but will work on ones made any time prior to the Second World War.

[SandraInHose]

My hobbies include weightlifting, hockey, hiking, golf, and reading. Watching pro hockey/football/soccer avidly. And I love romantic comedies as much as any woman!

All of those can be performed in either gender's apparel, except playing hockey. Since I work out at home, I have on rare occasion, lifted weights while wearing tights & a leotard. I'd love to play a round of golf in a cute little golf skirt and top.

Hiking...I've actually hiked many times in short shorts with pantyhose. Gotta be more alert for other hikers, but I've been surprised by a few I didn't see until it was too late. Oh well.

[Hell on Heels]

Hell-o Lucy,
When I was a little boy, I believe it was before I discovered my attraction to female clothes, my mother had my brother, sisters, and I sit down at the table. She taught us all how to crochet. Well almost all of us, I just couldn't get the hang of it!
I remember being SO upset, crying and pouting.
Sometime later she gave me another lesson, I finally got it!
To this day I can still crochet, and I actually made my SO a scarf and hat for Christmas this year.
Is that girly enough?
Now lets talk about those Packers for a while!
Much Love,
Kristyn

[sarah555]

I love shopping, could that be considered a feminine pastime?

[Beverley Sims]

I have a mixture, as well as the cars I have pottery, ceramics and sewing as other skills.

My most feminine skills.... zipping up a dress from the back and clipping up a long line bra without help.

I call them skills more than just hobbies.

[Lily Catherine]

I don't segregate my hobbies by gender despite the fact that some of my ex-classmates think I shop 'like a girl', whatever the heck that means.

That said while I write my lyrics and music (hobbyist) in drag occasionally I rarely use the Iris persona, and it will be very long before I go to jam sessions as her. As for swimming, it will take me an eternity before I ever hit the pool in a swimsuit.

[Adriana Moretti]

does blogging about crossdressing count ??? Besides training for a marathon I am never going to run....it's my only other hobby, ...I need a life....is shopping and makeup concidered a hobby ??....I collect vintage albums.....do girls do that ?? Ocassionally I see a cutie in the record store, but mostly its over weight men who wear sweatpants a week straight without washing , you know....the same kind you find in a comic book store

[Maria Blackwood]

Got it in my head to create and sell elaborate little fairy gardens. Moving bits, water features, lights. Haven't done one yet. Thinking about it. Put some ponies in them.

http://www.midwestliving.com/garden/container/miniature-garden/

[NicoleScott]

Take a survey of hobbies, and I'm sure there will be some hobbies more men than women do, and some that more women than men. That doesn't make them masculine or feminine hobbies. I think some CDers try too hard. The feel girly, they dress girly, they want to look girly, and so they want to adopt a hobby that's girly, and not because they are naturally drawn to it. Threads such as asking others if they cry more when crossdressed seem silly to me. As does the hobby thing.

[Jenny Gurl]

While girls do participate in my hobby, and the equipment used in the hobby can be designed to look feminine, it is not considered to be a feminine hobby. I can't specify the details of my hobby, because it is against board rules. They do have male and female divisions of the sport.

[Laurelanne]

I adore playing drums, I also Karaoke as a female. Guess theyre not really hobbies either, but then isn't flirting a hobby too ?? LOL

[Leslie Langford]

When I was a pre-teen, I used to enjoy doing embroidery under my mother's tutelage. Somehow, the fact that this might be gender-inappropriate for a young boy during that era never came up, and I was only vaguely aware of my crossdressing tendencies at that point in my life.

Looking back, perhaps that was just one more piece of the jigsaw puzzle that is only now coming close to completion...