The Transformative Power a Hobby Can Have on Your Life

Does life feel a little bit stale at the moment? Spending too much time in a routine can leave you feeling robotic, lethargic, and generally unhappy. You work hard at school and/or your job, and while you should always strive to achieve the goals you’ve set in your life, you also should consider the importance of pursuing lighter passions to diversify your day-to-day routine. It’s very possible that the fix to getting yourself out of this rut is picking up a hobby and spending your energy on something new. Here’s how picking up a hobby can change your life.

1. Finding the Right Hobby for You

People have their own unique sets of interests. If you are wondering what hobby is best for you, then looking internally at what brings you happiness is the best place to start. Perhaps your hobby draws from something you used to do, such as a sport or craft. If exercise and sports excite you, then you should consider joining an amateur or pick-up league. If you love creating things, such as through arts and crafts or just working with your hands in general, then buy an easel and paint or a workbench and tools. If you do go the artisan route, also be sure you have a space set aside in your home to get to it. Depending on your creative pastime, the garage, a spare room, or even an empty closet could work -- you just need to have enough space to work so you’ll be further inspired to indulge in your beloved activity. Each hobby will come with its own set of expenses, so consider everything you’ll need to buy in order to pursue your hobby before starting.

2. Managing Your Time

When starting your hobby, you’ll need to come up with a healthy schedule to balance with your professional, social, and family life. If your hobby begins to suck up all of your time and energy, then you will quickly burn out. Choose a couple hours out of the week to indulge in your pursuits. If you are joining an amateur league in your favorite sport, make sure the games and practices fit seamlessly with your schedule. The goal is to commit just enough time for your hobby to indulge in your passions, and leave something to look forward to the next time. If you dedicate four hours out of your weekend for a hobby you’re passionate about, then this will help to motivate you to get through the week.

3. Staying Safe

Whatever hobby you pursue, you will want to make sure you are not only operating in a safe, controlled environment, but also have the know-how needed to do it safely. For many, the best hobbies are activities that are unfamiliar. Part of the fun is solving the puzzle and mastering a skill, such as painting or sculpting. If you are working with tools to craft with wood, metal, or glass, you should read up on all the necessary operating manuals. If you aren’t sure you can safely try an activity on your own, consider asking a more experienced friend or mentor to help instruct you, or you could even consider taking courses to learn the ins and outs of your craft before taking the plunge.

​4. Reaping the Rewards

Once you begin your hobby of choice, you will discover a few things happening in your life. First, you will feel more motivated -- not only to complete your hobby, but also in other areas in your life. Hobbies help us set goals and teach us the kind of steady work and dedication necessary to reach these goals. Hobbies will also drive us to keep learning, especially if they involve trying something you’ve never done before.

Physical activities are great ways to get the blood pumping and reduce some of the stress that gets built up from the workweek. Playing a sport and exercising your body can clear your mind and feel therapeutic. Most importantly, hobbies can lead us to a feeling of accomplishment. When we achieve goals that we’ve set for ourselves, it feels good and boosts our self-confidence and outlook on life.

If you feel like your life is currently on autopilot, then consider adding a hobby to your routine. The best thing about hobbies is that you can work at your own pace in your own time. If a hobby doesn’t inspire or excite you, you can always try something else. There is no limit to what you can do and achieve in your pursuits.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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About the author: Maria Cannon believes we’re never too young to dedicate ourselves to a hobby. She created HobbyJr to encourage young people to find a hobby they love. Maria has suffered from depression and anxiety for years. Her hobbies--gardening, quilting, sewing, and knitting--play a major role in maintaining her mental health.

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