Outside Activities
Sometimes, when people are being harassed or bullied, it helps to get involved in other activities. It takes your mind off things, and also gives you the opportunity to meet other people who like the same things you do and may become friends. Here are some ideas:
- Get involved in art. If you have a profile on MySpace/FaceBook/etc, you know that art is a great way to express who you are and what you like. Here are some ideas about other ways you can get involved in art too:
- Check
out these cool web sites for more ideas about art expression:
Art Junction
Artist Helping Children
- As GirlPower suggests: Head for the hills. Grab a sketchbook and a few well-sharpened pencils and head for the great outdoors. Spend some time quietly contemplating a tree, a flower, or a favorite scene. Then, do your best to capture your vision on paper.
- Try new types of art, like origami (Brooklyn Origami) or Calligraphy
- Get involved in community service. Many people find that when they give back to the community, they gain much more in return. Look online to see what community service organizations are in your area. Or, check these sites out:
- http://www.kidsforcommunity.org/ is a search engine for youth volunteer opportunities
- http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/ has a list of shelters by State; offer to help serve a meal, or donate clothes, toys, etc that you don’t need anymore.
- Take part in a beach (http://www.beachcleanup.org/) or community clean up day (http://www.kab.org/site/PageServer?pagename=index). Or better yet, organize your own! (http://www.happynews.com/living/cleaningtips/organizing-community-cleanup.htm)
- Get involved with a sports team or a club. Physical exercise is a great way to feel better; so is spending time with positive people.
- Think about joining a sports team (soccer: www.ayso.com; baseball: www.littleleague.org)
- Drop into a Boys and Girls Club (http://www.bgca.org/) or PAL (http://www.nationalpal.org/) to see what they’re up to
- Track down your community recreation center and see what activities they are offering that are of interest to you (search online for your city name+recreation center).
- Dance it out with a dance party of one in your bedroom.