There’s a reason that we’re all encouraged to have hobbies when we’re growing up. It’s not just to find out what we’re good at and what we enjoy, and a way to spend our time. It’s because all of those elements are fundamental to our wellbeing.
One of the key pillars to wellbeing is our intellectual wellbeing. And part of intellectual wellbeing is having a hobby! Hobbies are great; they make you take time for yourself, you learn a new skill and transferrable skills. Often, you connect with others who also do that hobby so you make new friends.
It boosts your mood, improves your memory and, most importantly, is fun.
How do I find a hobby as an adult
So often, we end up leaving behind our childhood hobbies when we start working or go to uni and it’s so sad that that happens.
We get so drawn into the busyness of daily life that we loose that time for us. We loose our passions and stop believing in the importance of it.
And that has to stop. Because there is so much importance and joy in having a hobby and taking time for ourselves.
There are so many hobbies out there and you can try as many as you like!
With us currently being in some sort of social distancing lock-down thing – use this time at home to explore these ideas.
If you’re stuck as to where to start with having a hobby, ask yourself two questions. What do I enjoy doing and what did I love doing when I was younger.
So often, we forget to nurture the inner child in us. My 9 year old self loved art, being creative and making things. But I was told as secondary school that I wasn’t very good at art and had an art teacher who really made me feel like I was shit at it.
But as an adult, I’ve started to get physically creative again and loved it.
THERE ARE SO MANY OPTIONS FOR HOBBIES
Last year I started going to local art classes where each month you learnt a new skill. It took me back to summer holidays, and my primary school art classes, where you just have a go and really embrace the challenge and have fun. There are no wrong ways to create art!
And in isolation, I’ve started crewelwork embroidery. I do some work with the Crewel Work Co and was asked if I’d like to have a go at one of the kits. I said yes straight away and fell in love with the process.
The Crewel Work Co have beginners sets which have everything you need to get started. As someone who was a complete novice and no real embroidery skill, I was amazed at how well I got on with it! I actually filmed myself doing the first kit so if you want an insight into it, head on over to their Facebook page or Instagram where they’re releasing them daily.
There is such joy in having a hobby and it boosts your wellbeing by doing something you enjoy. It gives you a chance to step back from life and fully immerse yourself in something – the ultimate form of being present and mindful!
What’s your hobby? Let me know in the comments below!
Leave a Reply