What Is A Hobby?
Hobbies are an activity or action of some sort that is completed during free time for personal benefit. Hobbies are formed and done by choice; any activity you are required to do or are uninterested in is not considered a hobby.
Hobbies span across a wide range of categories and everyone has them. Whether it’s a sport, an art form, or a favorite video game, you have at least one hobby. Hobbies sprout from interests that eventually grow into a consistent schedule. Doing something once doesn’t make it a hobby; you must continually participate in that specific activity in order for it to be a hobby of yours.
People are able to partake in hobbies with leisure, but also with an end goal in mind. For example, someone who has a hobby of painting can just paint for the relaxation it brings them, but they could also be dedicated to finishing a piece of work. Even with the potential pressures and deadlines that can coexist within your hobbies, they are still centered around the idea of relaxation and escape. Hobbies are a break from reality and a way to step outside of your own mind, even if just for a moment.
Hobbies are also an opportunity for learning and growth. Strengthening yourself in a field you enjoy diversifies your skill set and adds a unique aspect to your life. These little points of growth are what helps hobbies contribute to you as a person. Hobbies fill up the free time in our lives, but they also shape who you are outside of your free time.
How To Find A Hobby:
As you grow and change throughout life, your interests change too. You can become uninterested in the hobbies you once maintained and be in search of new fulfillment. In an environment full of so many opportunities and routes to take, it can be overwhelming to decipher and decide what is best for you. Here are some ideas to focus on when looking for a new hobby to pursue:
- Browse your current interests
Interests are not always hobbies; you can be curious about something without ever investigating further into it. Think back to things and moments that have intrigued you and consider the different paths you could take with them. Even trying multiple interests until you find one that sticks with you can work.
- Know What You Have Time For
In order to form a hobby, you have to be consistent. This can be tough when you have other activities in your daily life to worry about. Prioritizing your mental and physical health is important, but so are the responsibilities you have to others. Make sure you know what you have time for; don’t start something you won’t have time to finish or that will overflow into other areas of your life.
- Get Inspired
If you are struggling to find new interests, sometimes the answer you are looking for is right in front of you. Observing other people and the world around you can oftentimes bring new perspectives and ideas to life.
- Look to the past
Think of what you’ve tried and what you have chosen to work towards in the past. Use those attempts and experiences to help you determine what the best hobby is for you. Maybe you miss the sport you played in Kindergarten, or the cooking class you took last year. This tactic can also help you figure out what to avoid. If you had a bad experience with learning to play guitar, string instruments may not be your forte.
- Don’t give up
Finding a hobby is all about trial and error. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find what’s right for you on the first try. Keep pushing yourself and step out of your comfort zone; you never know what interests you can form.