INTRODUCTION: THE HIDDEN POWER OF HOBBIES
With the chaos of life and the daily demands of work, family, and all other responsibilities, it’s easy to lose sight of taking care of yourself. One piece of self-care that people often overlook is investing in hobbies that bring them joy. The benefits of hobbies are more than just a simple pastime; they are a key to maintaining good mental health and well-being. We, as humans, crave an outlet for ourselves where we can express our personalities, relax, and release who we are. Hobbies provide this vital outlet, aiding in stress relief and personal growth. In this week’s blog, we’ll dive deep into the importance of making time for hobbies and how they can enrich your life in unexpected ways.
HOW HOBBIES HELP WITH STRESS RELIEF
A hobby is an activity you do in your free time for your pleasure. Without focusing on and emphasizing creating time for your hobbies, your mental health can take a toll, and you may feel unfulfilled in life. One of the main benefits of hobbies is stress relief. In today’s busy world, it feels like we’re never free, and not having time to focus on ourselves can significantly affect us. Most adults work typical nine-to-five jobs, leaving only the weekend for personal hobbies and pleasures. Weekends should be used for destressing and indulging in hobbies to take your mind off everything that goes on during the week. If you’re not regularly indulging in your hobbies, that stress won’t go away; it will continue to build. Hobbies are necessary to help take our minds off the stresses of life.
FINDING JOY AND FULFILLMENT IN PERSONAL INTERESTS
You may notice that when you don’t indulge in your hobbies, your mental health suffers. This is because if you’re not prioritizing yourself, only focusing on others, work, or different aspects of life, you won’t feel as valued and fulfilled as you should. Hobbies bring joy. If you don’t find much joy during the week at work or in other aspects of your life, how can you feel happy if you’re not indulging in your hobbies? Think back to times when you’ve engaged in activities you love. Remember the joy it brought, the smile it put on your face, and how much happiness it brought you. You may not have realized it then, but that joy had a significant positive effect on your mental health. It might have helped you forget about a stressful situation or made you feel good for once. Hobbies are also great for feeling accomplished. When you complete a hobby that involves creating something, it feels fantastic to look back and be proud of what you’ve achieved.
THE UNEXPECTED BENEFITS OF INDULGING IN HOBBIES
Engaging in hobbies also helps you learn a lot about yourself. This is a benefit that many people don’t realize. Hobbies can teach you how you function in certain situations, what you enjoy doing, and what other interests you have. They’re also great for personal development. Hobbies can teach time management, help you discover new skill sets, and even lead to a more fulfilling career. Many people say to turn your hobby into a career. While this might not be for everyone, it can be a step toward personal growth and fulfillment, allowing you to feel more in control of your life and career.
TYPES OF HOBBIES
If you’re like me, finding hobbies you’re interested in might be a bit tough. It’s challenging to know what you like without trying different things first. Some activities might not be enjoyable, and that’s okay. The important part is the exploration process. Trying out different hobbies allows you to learn about yourself and what you enjoy. There are countless hobbies to explore, from creative pursuits to physical activities, relaxation hobbies, and social hobbies.
Creative hobbies are something that I feel like we’re first to mind when I was a kid when the word “hobby” was mentioned. I don’t know if that’s because I just associated it with Hobby Lobby and that’s a craft store or what it was. There are endless possibilities, from painting and pottery to making T-shirts and embroidery. These activities are perfect for those who enjoy expressing themselves through art.
Physical hobbies are also popular and ever evolving. They include activities like hiking, biking, going to the gym, playing basketball, and more. Many of these hobbies also have a social aspect, such as running clubs or sports teams, which can be a great way to meet new people and build connections.
Two categories of hobbies that I think are often overlooked are relaxation and social hobbies. Some people just really prioritize their time and relaxation, and that’s not a bad thing at all. It’s a great way to fulfill yourself and de-stress, ensuring your mental health stays in check. Relaxation hobbies can include anything from tanning, reading a book, cooking, and gardening, to just laying out in the sun or going for a walk. The options are endless, and there’s no wrong way to do it. On the other hand, some folks thrive on being social—meeting new people or just hanging out with friends. That’s a hobby if it brings you joy. Many people join groups like book clubs or trivia teams; I know in my area, plenty of bars host trivia nights throughout the week. There are also numerous volunteer opportunities and various group activities or clubs in almost every city.
DISCOVERING YOUR PASSION: TIPS FOR FINDING THE RIGHT HOBBIES
The most important thing is to find what you enjoy and what fulfills you the most. What works for someone else might not work for you, and that’s fine. It might take time to figure out what you like, and that’s okay too. The journey of self-discovery through hobbies is valuable, and focusing on yourself is essential.
Finding hobbies is often challenging, especially with the stresses of daily life. It can be overwhelming, but prioritizing hobbies is crucial for mental health and well-being. Scheduling time for hobbies can help navigate times of stress and ensure you make time for yourself.
If you are wondering “Which hobby is best for me?”, a simple Google search is a great starting point. Try searching “hobbies for men,” “hobbies for women,” or just “hobbies” in general, and you’ll find tons of resources. To narrow it down, think about what you enjoy most in your job or past situations that left you feeling fulfilled. For instance, if you enjoy the social aspect of your job—talking to people and making new connections—a more social hobby might be perfect for you. Don’t be afraid to start small and try out various hobbies, even if they only catch your interest a little. It can be overwhelming at first, but that’s okay. Start with something small, see if you like it, and don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone.
MAKING TIME FOR HOBBIES: BALANCING LIFE’S DEMANDS
One of the toughest parts about having hobbies is carving out time for them amidst life’s chaos. Whether it’s the stress of work, dealing with anxiety, ADHD, or other mental health challenges, sometimes the idea of prioritizing yourself can feel impossible. Trust me, I’ve had days where I’m too exhausted from work or anxiety occupying all my mental space to think about anything but getting through the day. It’s crucial to remember that it’s okay if it’s tough to focus on hobbies sometimes. The key is to prioritize them when you can. Scheduling time in advance to focus on your hobbies can help you navigate those stressful periods.
I am no pro at prioritizing myself, I have such a long way to go but I have picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. One of my favorite tips is to plan activities. Planning helps avoid the issue of being too stressed or exhausted to think about indulging in a hobby now. When you have something scheduled, it provides a much-needed break, even during a stressful week.
Other strategies include setting aside specific times for hobbies, such as an hour each evening or a few hours on weekends. This consistency can help keep hobbies at the forefront of your mind and ensure you make time for them. If you’re into social hobbies, joining clubs or groups can provide regular activities to look forward to and a sense of community.
MY PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH FINDING HOBBIES
Finding hobbies is something that I have had trouble with for a long time. I am just a few years out of college and have had so much trouble setting aside time for my hobbies and figuring out what I like to do. Before I switched to my new job, I was in a very demanding work environment that required long hours and induced so much stress. I was exhausted 24/7 and had no mental capacity to think about hobbies. It was tough to keep myself happy and fulfilled at this job (ultimately, I lacked lots of fulfillment in my personal life and was constantly stressed which led to me leaving but that is beside the point), but I did try out lots of different activities.
I played basketball my whole life and did some running from time to time as I was growing up. I knew I liked doing physical things, so I dived right into finding things along that path. For instance, I signed up for a 5k and even ended up running a 10k, which was a big deal for me. It’s funny because all I see on TikTok are memes about people in their early 20s running their personalities. Anyway, after that 10k, I never ran again—not sure why, it just didn’t stick.
Next, I tried biking. I bought an $800 bike, despite having no real biking experience, took it out maybe 15 times, and then sold it. It wasn’t for me. Then I started getting into the gym. I had always gone casually, but something clicked, and I started taking it seriously. Seeing physical progress was a game-changer; it cleared my mind and made me feel great about myself. This was one of the first hobbies that stuck. It took some trial and error – and about $800 – but I found something that worked for me.
I’ve also learned a lot about what truly makes me happy. Music, for instance, has always been a big part of my life. I’ve realized that attending concerts regularly does wonders for my mental health, so I’ve made it a point to go to one every few months. I’ve also noticed how important my friends are to my well-being. When I don’t spend enough time with them, my mental health takes a hit—I struggle to get out of bed on weekends and every day feels heavy and gloomy. Recognizing this has helped me prioritize spending time with them, and while I’m not perfect at it, I’m making progress, and that’s what matters.
CONCLUSION: PRIORITIZING HOBBIES PRIORITIZES YOU
Prioritizing yourself can be so difficult with the stresses and struggles of life we are surrounded by every day. However, hobbies are necessary for personal development, satisfaction, mental health, and stress relief. The benefits of hobbies are endless, and the positive effects can leak into all aspects of life. Your personal needs are important, take care of yourself and make sure you’re getting what you need. You matter. Your mental health and happiness matter.