There comes a time in everyone’s life when they reflect on their time and how it’s spent. Am I being productive enough? Am I doing too much? Am I working too hard? And finally, do I need a hobby?
Not everyone has a hobby, but only because most people haven’t found one they are passionate about yet. Hobbies are a great way to explore interests and pursue passions outside of your day-to-day routine of work, school, or whatever may be eating up your time. So, how do you find yours?
Relax First, Then Brainstorm
Although lots of people have lifelong hobbies they’ve practiced since they were kids, it’s not uncommon to reach adulthood without finding one you’ve stuck with. So, it’s important to keep an open mind when considering hobbies and try things you never have before.
Trying new things can definitely be scary for some people, but do your best to take it one step at a time and don’t be afraid to step outside of the box. Go somewhere you can relax and that makes you feel like your most authentic self. Perhaps a favorite spot at the park or a coffee shop that has a nice vibe where you can daydream a little.
Relax in your comfy clothes and let your mind wander to consider if there’s anything you would like more of in your life. It may be helpful to take notes in a personal journal so you can come back to any ideas later on.
Reflect on Your Past
Have you ever done anything that you were eager to know more about but never pursued? If you can’t think of anything, go even further back. What were you like as a kid? Are there stories about you pulling out all the pots and pans and pretending to film a cooking show? Or maybe you were obsessed with a finger painting set. If there are signs you had early urges to do something specific like cooking, painting, or crafting — those might natural interests or talents worth exploring as an adult.
Consider New Options
If none of your childhood activities spark any interest, keep an eye out in your day-to-day life. Have you ever been curious about that yoga class in the park, but too shy to try it? Have you been looking for ways to let go of stress after your 9 to 5 job? Look for ways that these clues could lead you to a hobby.
Even small tasks you enjoy doing throughout the day can inspire new hobbies. If you enjoy handwritten notes, for example, maybe you’d enjoy scrapbooking!
Investigate Where It Could Lead
Some hobbies naturally have some startup costs; others are only limited by your imagination. If you love aquatic life but are limited on funds, you could opt to learn more about fish by reading books or perusing local pet shops. Consider whether a hobby is for you by considering the costs and what it will take to keep up with it as you advance.
Other than the financial cost of the hobby, consider the amount of time this new hobby will require and whether you can commit to that. This is the step most people forget about and why so many of us never really got a lot out of playing an instrument in school. Be reasonable because as much fun as it is to try new things, it’s even better to enjoy and love a hobby deeply, which requires commitment.
Set a Goal and Go For It
Maybe you’d like to get into indoor gardening and have decided to try your hand at growing orchids. It might be helpful to read about orchids or visit a botanical garden. As you discover the aspects of your hobby, you will encounter other people who are interested in the same things and connecting with them can become a great source of ideas for how to develop your new hobby.
Perhaps there is a specific type of orchid you want to grow or would like to have started growing a garden by this time next year. Give yourself a goal and move toward it. Once you complete the goal, gift yourself a new gardening apron to keep you clean and stylish when gardening. Don’t worry about whether you will ever be on par with the professionals unless that is what you really want. If you are doing what you love, you may find yourself excelling without having to try too hard, and that is the sign of a perfect hobby.
Zazzle’s Lifestyle Expert is here to help create life’s best & most important moments. Discover unique ideas and endless inspiration to create meaningful memories with family, friends and your community.
