Have you ever been asked what you do for fun, and you freeze because, now that you’re thinking about it, you aren’t really sure? Well, if we could give you one sage piece of advice, it would be this: Get a hobby! Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas.
Why Bother With a Hobby?
Having a hobby that you genuinely enjoy benefits you in a number of ways, including:
- Reduces stress and improves well-being.
- Teaches patience.
- Kicks boredom to the curb.
- Allows you to learn a new skill.
How to Stick to Your Newfound Hobby
Many of us have fallen victim to spending time and money on what we swore would be our new hobby, only to ditch it in less than a month. Here are some quick tips for sticking to your newfound boredom-buster:
- Above all, make sure your hobby is something you’re passionate about or love doing.
- Start small by dedicating short periods to your hobby. Then, you can decide how much time you want to devote to it.
- Don’t reward yourself! We often require incentives when we don’t want to do the task at hand, but this hobby you’ve chosen – the time you get to work on it is the treat.
- If you can, make your new hobby a group effort. Being surrounded by people who encourage you along the way is never a bad idea.
- Allow yourself to be a beginner. The important thing is to learn from each mistake and use those hiccups to improve.
Hobbies for the New Year
Here are some hobbies to consider in the coming year.
Volunteering
Find an organization close to you and get involved, whether via hands-on experience as an active volunteer or joining a board.
Embroidery
You can pull out this hobby to work on at any time. It can also be relaxing. And who doesn’t love gifting a cheeky embroidered handkerchief or denim jacket?
Reading
If you’ve fallen into the rabbit hole of BookTok, start reading! Take it a step further by starting a book club with your friends, complete with themed snack and drink nights, of course.
Letter Writing
It’s easier than ever to keep in touch with loved ones these days, but when was the last time you handwrote a letter? Make it a whole thing by investing in writing utensils, stationery, stamps, calligraphy, etc.
Canning
Vegetables, sauces, pie fillings…there are plenty of things to can and preserve. Who doesn’t want to receive some homemade pie filling as a gift?
Foraging
Have you ever wondered what your backyard plants can do? Welcome to the wonderful world of foraging. Start in your backyard, then expand to local parks, hiking trails, and neighborhoods.
Tarot Reading
Tarot reading involves using tarot cards to gain insight into the past, present, and future. Once you master the art, your friends, family, and co-workers will be begging you for a quick reading