How Having a Hobby Can Make You Feel Sane
Image Courtesy: Women’s Feature Service
Why have we all given up on hobbies? Whenever I ask people what they like to do in their free time, they kind of just look at me. They give me these weird, hollow eyes like they're confused I would even ask the question to begin with. I then offer up examples, like thrifting walks in the park or maybe even taking pictures or writing in a journal.
While a lot of people nod their heads in agreement with one or two of these hobbies, I feel like it's so rare to meet someone who has a very interesting hobby that they feel very passionate about. Honestly, I probably think about it too much. Up until about a year ago, I was just as guilty as everyone else. I had no hobbies, nothing I liked. There was nothing I would have been able to make a Ted Talk about, nothing I could talk about on a podcast or obsess over with someone else.
This made me think about how being passionate about something is so important. Channeling your feelings into something healthy, whether the feelings are positive or negative, is such a good coping skill that has helped me take my mind off of my troubles. rather than dwell on something that won’t change, or cry about something that probably won’t matter a year from now, you can bring yourself back to your roots by participating in one of your passions. I love the act of just sitting down, reading a good book, and escaping reality for a little while. Hobbies can also be a source of money, as a form of a “side hustle.” People can easily discover something they’re good at and turn it into a small side business, like selling art, crafts, jewelry, clothes, or services.
Of course, before I realized all of this, I had things that I liked; I've always loved to write and read. And while I do consider writing a hobby, it's more of an academic hobby than a fun one. Whenever people would ask me what I do in my free time, I would just look at them with those same eyes. What did I like to do? Hang out with my friends? Go out? Of course, then came the existential crisis: Am I just…boring? Is there anything on Earth I'm passionate about? Anything I care about?
Growing up I always loved to do arts and crafts. While I was never good at drawing, I enjoyed painting, making bracelets, and other fun little crafts. But, as I grew up, I slowly began to grow out of this. I wouldn't dedicate the time to do something I truly liked to do. Instead, I would be absorbed in my phone, or a boy, or something else that probably wasn’t the best for me. Don't get me wrong, I love these simple pleasures (a night out, a hot date, a drink with friends, but nothing is more rewarding than spending time doing something that I have complete control of.
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Immersing yourself in a hobby – especially one that’s mindless – is an amazing way to make time to ponder things, spend your time on yourself, and reap the rewards of dedicating time to creating something. Or rather, if you choose to pursue a more challenging hobby, it can lead to mind expansion, new ideas, creativity, and inspiration; It even may inspire a lifestyle change, if you decide you’re passionate enough about it to make a career from it. So many people simply fall into hobbies and end up changing the course of their lives to initiate a happy life of enjoying how they spend it.
There’s a certain level of insecurity and uncertainty within high school and college students all around the nation. A sense of being over-engulfed in so many things we are almost unable to comprehend. We are constantly soaking up every ounce of other people's lives, it’s sometimes hard to even like your own. It’s a common problem that I’ve not only seen in my own life but one I’ve also seen affecting the lives of other people around me. Regaining my sense of self by finding out what I liked to spend time doing grounded me within who I am and helped me level my thinking. Comparison kills compassion and joy; Comparing your life you put no free time into to another person you don’t even know and who may not be sharing the whole truth just isn’t a fair comparison.
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Looking for a hobby? It’s hard at first. What do you start to do when you do when you never do anything? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Making playlists, surfing on Pinterest for inspiration, origami, painting, graphic or fashion design, hiking, yoga, and thrifting are just a few suggestions that come to mind. Not only are these inexpensive and easy activities to get into, but a lot of these hobbies require skills that are useful in everyday life. All of these things can help you figure out who you are as a person and what drives you. You’d never expect how amazing it feels to finally be able to proudly answer the question, “What do you like to do in your spare time?”
Strike Out,
Writer: Payton Muscato
Editor: Isabel Wilder
Tallahassee