Hobbies are a great way to spend your time off work. Having a hobby helps keep your mind and body refreshed, reduces the risk of burnout from your job, and eases stress. When you are fully involved in an activity, you achieve what is known as a flow state. When in a state of flow, you are completely immersed in the activity you are participating in. You may find hours pass without even realizing it.
Reaching this state can leave you feeling empowered and ready to tackle new challenges. Knowing the benefits of having a hobby is one thing, actually making it part of your life is another. There are several reasons people fall out of the habit of pursuing activities they enjoy as they get older, but you shouldn't let these excuses stop you.
No Money
The first excuse that may pop into your mind is that you cannot afford a hobby. Some choices can indeed be expensive, but there are plenty of low-cost and free activities you can take up. You can also take some time to look over your monthly expenses and see if you can cut your costs. It can be as simple as paying closer attention to your spending at the grocery store. Another option that can free up money each month with little effort on your part is to refinance your student loans. Refinancing with a private lender can cut years off education debt repayment or lower your monthly expenses.
No Time
A busy schedule can get in the way of developing a hobby. It is important to set aside some time for yourself to relax and recharge. If you truly don't have any time on your own, look for ways to adjust your schedule. Living like that is unsustainable. More likely, you feel like you don't have time because you spend evenings and weekends mindless scrolling on your phone or in front of the television. There is nothing wrong with this, you work hard and deserve some time to relax. However, redirecting some of this time into pursuing a hobby is well worth the effort.
While you probably step away from a television binge feeling exhausted and dissatisfied with the amount of time you wasted, time spent on a hobby will leave you feeling rejuvenated. It gives you something to look forward to. This makes it easier to get through rough days at work and provides a distraction from other, more unpleasant tasks.
No Ideas
What if the idea sounds good, but you aren't sure what you want to do? Think back to your childhood. What types of activities did you enjoy then? How do those translate to your adult life? Take some time to think about your lifestyle as well. If you have a sedentary job, you may prefer hiking, biking, or some other active hobby as a change of pace.
On the other hand, if your job is physically demanding, you may prefer needlepoint, drawing, or another quiet choice. Don't be afraid to try something that seems totally out of the ordinary for you. Give it a try, and if it doesn't live up to your expectations, try something else. By expanding your mind, you are sure to land on a choice that feels like a perfect fit.
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