But why should you consider taking on a hobby?
Do you suffer from extended episodes of boredom during your free time? If yes, then you should consider taking on a new hobby in honor of January as National Hobby Month (US). The main benefit of having a hobby may be enough to convince you to give a new hobby a try.
In case it's helpful, below are the topics covered in this post:
What are Hobbies?
A hobby is an activity a person does during their free time for pleasure. It is typically an activity a person finds interest in and enjoys doing.
There are a variety of activities that are creative, physical, and/or cognitive in nature. Arts, crafts, sports, and puzzles are some 'active' hobbies that will keep you busy during your free time.
There are also passive activities (although debatable by some experts) like watching TV, playing casual video games, or reading that do not require as much effort, but will give you something to enjoy during your free time.
The key to choosing a new hobby is to consider an activity that interests you. Maybe you will decide a hobby is not for you. Or maybe you will find that a hobby is beneficial for your mental health.
It is also not uncommon to enjoy a hobby for a while and later decide to move on to something new. At least there are so many activities to choose from and explore when you are ready for a change.
Benefits of Having a Hobby
Many experts agree that the greatest benefit of having a hobby is improved mental health and well-being. In short, doing an activity you enjoy reduces stress and increases your sense of happiness.
Hobbies done regularly may also prove beneficial with the following:
Critical thinking skills. Many hobbies like games, puzzles, and sports encourage you to think critically about how to overcome challenges. It is also known as problem-solving. If you fail at something or make big mistakes that you want to overcome, you will consider different approaches you can take that will help you succeed or make fewer mistakes. This is especially useful when you are learning a new hobby.
Physical health. You will improve your physical health through more active hobbies related to sports and exercise. There are other hobbies that will keep you in motion also. For example, a theme park or a hobby-grade RC trail car enthusiast is likely to do a lot of walking for their hobbies.
Time management. Many people do not believe they have time for a hobby. The truth is there is always time, even if just a few minutes, if you are willing to focus on time management. Evaluate your schedule to determine when you have free time or if you can rearrange some tasks/responsibilities to make free time for a hobby. You can also consider if your hobby of choice can be done simultaneously with another task (multi-tasking) or done when you have a few minutes for a break. For example, if you take public transportation to and from work or school, consider a "portable" hobby like drawing or brain teasers to do while you are in transit.
Social/communication skills. Some hobbies are more fun when done in a social setting. You can participate in a friendly competition, a class/workshop, or an event to meet others who share the same interests as you. For example, instead of painting alone in your home or studio, consider participating in a class or workshop at a local business or school where you can paint alongside others.
Social connections/network. While you are improving your social/communication skills, you have the opportunity to expand your social connections. Doing a hobby in a social setting introduces you to many people you probably would not have met otherwise. It is possible to form lasting friendships built from shared interests. Who knows? Maybe you will meet someone who has insight on a job that you have been dreaming about for years.
Self-exploration/insight. By trying new hobbies, you get to learn more about yourself. You will be able to better identify your likes and dislikes, what you are willing to put effort into, how much time you are willing to devote to an activity, and more about who you are as a person. Learn about your personal limitations and what you are open to learning or doing more of in life.
All of the benefits mentioned above would apply to all aspects of a person's life whether it is personal or professional in nature.
How to Celebrate
National Hobby Month is a great excuse to take on a new hobby or devote additional time to your favorite hobbies!
If you want to take on a new hobby, you can start by learning more about it through research. Read online articles, watch videos, or talk to someone else to help you decide if a new hobby is worth doing. Some hobbies require time and money, so it does not hurt to learn more before you commit to doing it.
When you are ready to take on a new hobby, do not worry about perfection. There is always a chance for mistakes or failures when you try something for the first time. Instead, consider if an activity is something you enjoy when you first start out. If you enjoy it, you will likely make the effort to learn more about and improve over time.
If you already have a hobby or two that you enjoy, make sure you devote some time to do it this month. Take a look at your schedule to see when you can do it. You deserve to have fun, so devoting the time to a hobby will be worthwhile for your mental health and well-being.
Just have fun! You deserve it!
Some Interesting Reading Sources
Below are links to several online articles I referenced about hobbies that may interest you:
What's Next?
Feel free to use National Hobby Month as an excuse to take on a new hobby or spend more time on your favorite hobbies! Personally, I will dedicate some time to my hobby grade RC vehicles. It may be fun to drive an RC car while I walk my dog at the park.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
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