Do you find yourself stuck in a cycle of going to work, coming home, making dinner, sleeping, going to work, etc.? When was the last time you took part in an activity simply because you wanted to? Not because it was something productive or off of your to do list. Not because it helped your career. Not because someone asked you to do something. Simply because it made you happy.
For many adults this might be a hard question to answer. Life tends to get in the way. We all make excuses due to never-ending to-do lists, work responsibilities, family obligations, or just feeling tired. Hobbies may feel easy to push to the side, but the truth is they can be impactful on your mental health. Having an activity to do because you enjoy it can reduce stress, impact mood, increase confidence, and help with your work-life balance.
If you’ve been wanting to find a hobby but have no idea where to start, you’re not alone. Here are seven simple steps to help you discover something you actually enjoy.
- Think Back to Your Childhood
Take a few moments to reflect on your childhood. What did you fill your time with? What activities did you love to do in your free time? Maybe you loved being outside, writing stories, playing an instrument, doing arts and crafts, playing sports, or reading a new book. Those interests can give you insight into activities your adult self may enjoy as well.
- Follow Your Curiosity
A big misconception about hobbies is that they have to be something you are “good” at or something you immediately feel passionate about. Passion usually develops as you learn more about something, or practice an activity. Instead of asking “What am I passionate about?” ask yourself these questions:
- What have I always wanted to try?
- What kind of content do I naturally gravitate towards?
- When do I find myself saying, “that looks fun!”
Make a list of all of these interest and curiosity areas.
- Start Small
Pick an activity off of your list to start with. You do not need to buy a bunch of new things, or spend every second of your nights after work to start a hobby. In fact, starting small will hold your curiosity and make you more likely to stick with it. Maybe you try reading for 15 minutes a day, or try one class to teach you a new skill. Maybe you watch a “how-to” video, or go on a small hike. Starting small takes the pressure off of this new activity along with giving you the opportunity to explore before making a commitment.
- Give Yourself Permission to be Bad
You may have noticed a reaction to reading step number three. Just to reiterate, hobbies are not meant to only be activities you are good at, or that feel productive. A lot of adults carry the belief that if they are not good at something, they should not even try. Hobbies are not performances, nor are they competitions. They serve the purpose of being enjoyable.
You don’t have to become an award winning painter, runner, gardener, or photographer for the hobby to be worthwhile. You’re allowed to be a beginner. You’re allowed to make mistakes. Repeat those last two sentences to yourself a few times.
Sometimes the greatest benefit of a hobby is trying something new and not becoming skilled at it. There’s enough of that pressure everywhere else in your life. It is giving yourself a chance to try, slowing your mind down, and focusing on something that makes you happy.
- Match Your Hobby to What You Need Right Now
Different hobbies can meet different emotional needs. If you have been feeling stressed or overwhelmed, try something calming such as gardening, puzzles, reading, or knitting. If you’ve been feeling stuck or low on energy, try something movement-based like hiking, dancing, running, or cycling. If you’ve been feeling lonely, consider something that naturally connects you with others, like a book club, volunteering, a dance class, or a recreational sports league. Feel free to categorize your list of interests and curiosities by type of activity, to make it easier to match them to what you need.
- Let Go of Pressure to Find the “Right Thing”
Often we put pressure on ourselves to find a perfect hobby so that it can feel productive. It is okay if you start a new activity then decide it is not for you. Trying something and deciding it is not the right fit is never a failure. This is an opportunity to gather information. Every experience teaches you something about what you enjoy and what you do not.
- Schedule Time to Start
We schedule meetings, appointments, workouts, and errands, but the things that bring us joy are often the first to get pushed aside. Even setting aside thirty minutes once a week can make a difference. Consistency matters more than the amount of time you spend. Think of that time as an investment in your mental health. You don’t have to earn it by finishing everything else on your to-do list. Rest, creativity, and enjoyment are valuable on their own. Feel free to challenge your own thoughts if you feel you are “wasting time” by asking what you should be doing instead of what you are presently doing. If there is not a critical task needing attention, you have time for a hobby.
If you’re not sure where to start, close your eyes and pick something off of the list of interests and curiosities you made. Remember, hobbies are about finding something that makes you happy and creating space for yourself in your busy week. I challenge you to try something new over the next week!
