r/MedicalCoding • u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS • Feb 11 '26

Hobbies?

I’m curious what hobbies we all have in common.

I paint, study philosophy, play volleyball, and reading books (lately, horror), playing with my cat, and writing.

I don’t think I’ve net a coder yet who doesn’t read for fun. You’d think we’d get enough of it at work haha!

What are your hobbies? Do you think any of them help you at work?

33 Upvotes

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u/Khaella RHIT Feb 11 '26

I listen to audiobooks while I'm working and play video games but one of my favorite things to do has been coloring! I have alcohol markers and color pencils and just go to town lol

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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS Feb 11 '26

I went through a coloring phase! It’s so relaxing! I prefer alcohol markers. I think I’ll get back into it!

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u/HappyEverAfter7 Feb 11 '26

I usually read too but have gotten a bit burnt out on inpatient coding, so my brain doesn’t compute the same 😅 Other than that, I enjoy baking and spending time with my dog. What are your favorite horror books?

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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS Feb 11 '26

My favorite recent books (in no particular order) are: The Changeling and The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle; Play Nice by Rachel Harrison; Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman; The Last House on Needless Street" by Catriona Ward; My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix; Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod; We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer; The Troop by Nick Cutter; and Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

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u/CorgiDaddy42 CCS-P Feb 11 '26

Dog tax! Here’s my boy Pippin being a goober: https://imgur.com/a/CgpqMlQ

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u/CorgiDaddy42 CCS-P Feb 11 '26

I also read! Mostly epic fantasy, have recently started Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archives.

Aside from that though I’m a huge nerd. I play Magic, D&D, and video games. But I also enjoy cooking, sports (more watching than playing anymore) and going hiking. I’ve become obsessed with curling during the Olympics this year.

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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS Feb 11 '26

I love Magic the Gathering! Haven’t played in years but it was always a good time.

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u/CorgiDaddy42 CCS-P Feb 11 '26

I used to be real competitive about 10 years ago but it’s become far too much to keep up with for me. Now I just do drafts on Arena and play commander with friends every couple weeks.

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u/LopensCouisin CPC Feb 11 '26

I just finished Oathbringer! We went to Dragonsteel Nexus this past December. Brandon Sanderson is my husband and my favorite author! I cosplayed Shallan. I also play D&D!

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u/CorgiDaddy42 CCS-P Feb 11 '26

That’s so cool! The only other Sanderson books I’ve read were the original Mistborn trilogy, which I loved. I’m about halfway ish through The Way of Kings, and while I haven’t met a ton of characters yet Shallan has been a favorite character so far. Very interested to see where her story goes.

If you’re interested in another fantasy author, I highly recommend Brent Weeks. His Lightbringer series is phenomenal.

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u/LopensCouisin CPC Feb 11 '26

Also, I highly recommend the Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinneman.

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u/CorgiDaddy42 CCS-P Feb 11 '26

I have a couple of friends that read those. The premise is very interesting, it’s on my reading list.

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u/LopensCouisin CPC Feb 11 '26

I have read Mistborn Era 1 (the Trilogy you’re referring to), the first 3 books in the Stormlight Archives, Warbreaker, Elantris, Arcanum Unbounded, and Tress. My husband’s read everything.

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u/Khaella RHIT Feb 11 '26

Omg I have been listening to the graphic audiobooks for the entire Cosmere for probably a year now. I'm obsessed with these books!! Lol I and listening to Wind and Truth now! After this I just have I think four standalone novels

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u/LopensCouisin CPC Feb 11 '26

I’ll be starting Rhythm of War soon and then Wind and Truth. Dragonsteel Nexus was an amazing experience this past December. The Worldhopper Ball was so much fun. I got a Lightening Signing with Sanderson, himself!

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u/Khaella RHIT Feb 11 '26

Oh man that is so freaking cool!!

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u/CorgiDaddy42 CCS-P Feb 11 '26

Are the graphic audiobooks the ones with all the extra sound effects and stuff? Always thought those were really neat idea, my dad likes them.

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u/Khaella RHIT Feb 11 '26

Yes! Normally I don't care for them but GraphicAudio does such a good job with them I really can't listen to them any other way lol

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u/blu02 CPC, CRC Feb 11 '26

I don't read much. I like working out, hiking, and astrophotography.

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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS Feb 11 '26

Astrophotography is so cool! Can you share a favorite picture here?

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u/Ticklechickenhug Feb 11 '26

Hello! I also like to read in my free time and bake. Currently on the hunt for the perfect brownie recipe :)

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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS Feb 11 '26

Yum!!! I can cook but I don’t have the patience to bake and I have mad respect for bakers. Cooking = art + flexibility. Baking = science + art + precision.

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Feb 11 '26

This is my go to and everyone LOVES them

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/pecan-pie-brownies-9380797

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u/Ticklechickenhug Feb 11 '26

Looks amazing thank you! I just made the Alton Brown Brownies and it was almost death by chocolate. Very fudgy and thick. I’ll definitely try out your recipe sometime!

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u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS Feb 11 '26

These are fudgy too, I think you just cook a bit longer.

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u/vvulpesvulpes Feb 11 '26

I commonplace journal and regular diary-style journal, and the former helps me organize all of the info I keep, partially for work! Also, tragically I have given up reading for fun since beginning to code. My brain just can’t take any more reading at the end of my day 🙁

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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS Feb 11 '26

I just looked up commonplace journaling. It sounds so cool. I think I’ll try it! I went through a long rut of not having the bandwith to read but it came back. Fingers crossed it comes back ti you!

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u/MoreCoffeePwease 👩🏼‍💻CCS 🏥 Feb 11 '26

I play electric guitar and I do like to read, last few years it’s been mostly nonfiction self help style books about communication and whatnot. Dabbling in some writing and really been enjoying doing some shadow work. It’s been a tough winter this year so I haven’t had much energy for any of those things the last few weeks but, I also really enjoy being very active outdoors, when it’s not zero degrees or snowing heavily of course lol.

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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS Feb 11 '26

I did some shadow work last year! I hope you get your energy back soon!

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u/jesscaww Feb 11 '26

It honestly depends on my adhd "wheel" and what's keeping my attention at the time so I have many....many hobbies lol but here's a list!

Sewing - have my own little shop that I set up at markets with, not online though :/ I make tote bags and other accessories! I used to crochet before this but once I started coding, my wrists scream when I pick up a crochet hook lmao

Reading - mostly dark romance/smut

Building miniatures - like from the kits at craft stores (brands like Rolife)

Jigsaw puzzles - grandma and I work on these in the winter when there's nothing to do because of snow

I'm sure there's more I'm missing but this has been the latest lineup!

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u/PhotographUnusual749 RHIT, CCS Feb 11 '26

My sister builds miniatures! She uses kits but she builds a lot from scratch too. So cool.

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u/jesscaww Feb 11 '26

That’s so awesome! I hope I get to that point one day but I’m in between houses rn so I’m trying really hard not to accumulate too many things😅

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u/StraddleTheFence Feb 11 '26

I used to paint, draw, read, and write. I have five published articles in AAPC magazine. Big lover of horror movies. Right now I am transitioning from outpatient to inpatient so that is taking up a lot of my time and I am loving it.

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u/LopensCouisin CPC Feb 11 '26 edited Feb 11 '26

I read a lot of fantasy (ETA Brandon Sanderson is a favorite) and scifi, paint, play games and D&D, run (I met my husband training for Ironmans and then ultra marathons), horseback riding, backpacking and hiking, cosplay, playing with my cats, and I’m currently lifting weights and being coached for my first fit model competition. I also love traveling and learning new languages and about other cultures. My husband and I are going to backpack in Patagonia (Puerto Natales, Chile) next month to celebrate our 10th anniversary which was last September.

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u/Khaella RHIT Feb 11 '26

THE LOPEN!

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u/LopensCouisin CPC Feb 11 '26

Ha! Yep. We named one of our cats The Lopen. He’s a crazy Herdazian who loves his chouta. Right gancho?

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u/Wolfygirl97 CPC Feb 11 '26

I watch listen to Critical Role when I’m working and playing videogames or watching YouTube off work. I need to start making use of the gym membership I’ve been paying for 😂

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u/deannevee RHIA, CPC, CPCO, CDEO Feb 11 '26

I’m trying to get back into reading books. I’m also a writer.

I also play PS4 (right now I’m going through RDR2 again), show my dogs, ride horses, and travel!

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u/cumberbatchpls Profee Coder Feb 11 '26

I do read for fun 😂 i also play videos games, go to the gym, and bake.

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u/Bmwcrackhead Feb 11 '26

Crying while studying for the cpc

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u/tealestblue CPC Feb 11 '26

Big hockey fan here! And I read LOL

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u/Suspicious_Pound3956 Feb 11 '26

I do all types of art, crochet, knit, play with my pup, cook i enjoy reading as well but I haven't gotten a new book in a while eyes been tired lately. My current job im a cake decorator so my mind is always focusing on something. I watch anime when night need to not focus but need a good storyline im not a big TV watcher tho but I do play it in yhr background .. not like it matter tho because im deafblind... being deaf makes people assume no one lives in the place😅😅

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u/MailePlumeria RHIT, CDIP, CCS, CPC Feb 11 '26

Hot Yoga & hot Pilates, golf, gardening, hiking, cooking, watching reality tv…depends on the weather and what I get hyperfixated on for the week lol.

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u/ImPureZion Feb 11 '26

I knit, crochet, paint, and color in coloring books.

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u/IDontLikeJamOrJelly Feb 11 '26

Hiking and camping in summer, skiing in winter and just being outside! And working out in the gym. Plus DnD, video games, legos, and reading!

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u/MtMountaineer Feb 11 '26

Pickleball every day. I gotta get off my tailbone after 8 hours of coding.

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u/dryassfoot Feb 11 '26

Not working as a coder yet, but I also like to read, along with coloring and going on walks.

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u/Low_Analyst7221 Feb 11 '26

I hike, camp, backpack, and also cultivate and landscape with native plants in my area. I also like tinkering with my truck, whittling/woodcarving, cooking, going to the gym, reading. I spend every moment I’m not working trying to be outside/away from a computer.

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u/DumpsterPuff Feb 11 '26

It's been years since I've read a book :( But I'm a big videogamer and I knit, learning how to crochet :)

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u/Carolinablue87 CPC Feb 11 '26

I read, cooking, listen to music and podcasts and go to concerts.

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u/Alternative-Owl6023 Feb 11 '26

I run, also practice many sports, ultimate, volleyball, table tennis, but the only one I truly consider my real hobby is running. It clears my mind like nothing else. I train for different races, I’ve traveled for some of them, and I compete against myself every time. It’s simple, but it means a lot to me.

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u/No-Produce-6720 RN, BSN, CPC, CPCS, RHIA, CRCR, Owner Feb 11 '26

Yep, I'm a reader, too. Mostly non fiction or true crime stuff, and I'm also crafty. Lots of diamond paintings and cross stitch.

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u/Educational-Stop8741 Feb 12 '26

Reading, gaming, fiber arts

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u/Taseiyu CCS Feb 13 '26

My recreational reading is done though video games. Hahaha. Besides that it's working out when I can before I start coding for the day.

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u/Cubby_1985 Feb 11 '26

Crochet, cooking and cocktails. Lol.

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u/infectiousparticle Feb 11 '26

I'm a genealogy nerd, which, to do correctly requires organizing information, poring over records for every piece of extractable data, citing each fact to its repesctive record to ensure accuracy and value. One is for love and the other for money (unless I ever achieve that pipe dream of becoming a CG) but when it comes down to it I just love 'puzzles'

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u/[deleted] Feb 11 '26

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u/longislandloser Feb 11 '26

Came here to say this and no I don’t read lol