How to Find a Hobby
We know that playing is good for young children. We encourage them to play, solve fun puzzles, and use their imagination. It’s an important part of growing up and learning to think for themselves.
It’s also a great way to encourage creative thinking. The good news is that kids aren’t the only ones who will benefit from playing and spending time on hobbies. There’s no cut-off date when we no longer benefit from those leisurely pursuits.
Society tries to tell us that taking out time to play, craft, play a sport, learn a language, play an instrument, and other ways of having fun with others is a waste of time for adults. As it turns out, society is wrong. Taking the time to have fun and doing something completely different from what you do for a living is very beneficial.
The fact that you’re having fun and relaxing is an added bonus. That will help with your attitude and positivity. In the end, you’ll come back to work the next day in a much better frame of mind, more rested, and with a mind bursting full of creative ideas. Try and it and see for yourself. Most importantly make the time to go out and play. Pick up those favorite hobbies again, and don’t be afraid to try something new.
Here’s how…
See If You Have Any Past Hobbies That You Forgot About
Maybe you already had a hobby, just you completely forgot about it. Maybe you got too busy in adult life and didn’t have time to do it anymore.
When you were a kid, what did you like to do? Did you spend hours drawing or designing clothes for your dolls? If so, you might want to explore taking fashion class. Do you usually like to sing, dance and act in front of the people? Then maybe you can check out a theater group
When you were a kid, you probably had hobbies you loved—so maybe trying to do them again can be a great way to get back into the groove.
Choose Something That Will Make You Forget About Your Day
Think of something that makes you forget about the stresses and qualms of your day. It should be something that will help you to unwind and relax. If making crafts or gardening feels like it is a work, then that must not be the hobby for you.
Don’t pick a hobby because it seems particularly enriching. Pick something that seems like fun. Take the pressure off yourself. Think back to our earlier post about giving the mind a rest. A hobby or even spending a couple of hours playing a video game or goofing off with the kids isn’t a waste of time. It’s a great way to give your mind a rest and create some very different syntactical connections in your brain.
Trial and Error Basis
The truth is, no matter how you approach finding a new hobby, it can be hit or miss.
If you didn’t find anything from your childhood, it might be useful to stroll around. Visit the craft store, buy some crafts and try it. If it didn’t work out, maybe you can check the nearest book store. Browse around and see what captures your attention. Maybe you’ll find yourself drawn into drawing books or scrapbooking.
If you don’t know where to begin, throw yourself into these options and see how you respond to them. Experiment.
Notice What You Love to Buy as Guilty Pleasures
What is the certain thing that you can’t help but buy every time you’re out shopping?
Are you always on Wattpad or been waiting for an update from your favorite author? Why not try writing your own. Toni Morrison said: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
Are you always checking the latest fashion trends? Do you like fashion? Maybe you’re into knitting or sewing. Do you love perfumes? Maybe you could make your own. Do you like buying a painting, then why don’t you try to paint yourself?
Find a Hobby that Can Make You Forget Your Meals
What was the last thing you did in your life that made the time completely fly by? When did you have one of those moments where you checked the clock and were surprised you missed lunch or dinner because you were so engrossed in your work? Remember it, and then go after it, or pick apart the core ideas of what made it so special for you and see if you can find them in a different activity.
Find What You Want to Change About Yourself and Make it a Hobby
This one might contradict the second one. Maybe you’re having a hard time doing idle work that serves no purpose other than being fun. You know that feeling: When you’re out at the movies or binge-watching several seasons of TV series, and you think “I really should be doing X instead.” If you’re always on the move and trying to hit a goal or better yourself, make your hobby fit that criteria. Pick one up that will help you change for the better.
We’ve talked at length how creative thinking works and how we need lots of different ideas and experiences to give our minds something to work with. It turns out that playing is the perfect way to do that. Those hobbies you have may be very different from your day job and that’s a good thing. They give you more data and help your brain come up with creative ideas by making connections between seemingly unrelated things.
To get better at creative thinking, make time for hobbies and play. Come back to some things you enjoyed before you decided you didn’t have time for hobbies anymore. Try something new and see if you like it. Find some enjoyable things to do in your spare time. This will be time much better spent than catching up on work after hours or flopping down in front of the TV.
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