After spending the last few weeks talking about ways to stay organized and on top of responsibilities, it’s time for a break. Nobody can be serious all the time (least of all the author of this column), and balancing schoolwork with hobbies are a great way to explore different interests and de-stress.
Did you know that sleeping, in the author’s humble opinion, is not an actual hobby? While this may be tragic news for many readers, there’s no need to wonder what to do instead! As the weather begins to get warmer in the coming months, the opportunities for new activities come more often. However, there are a few key tips to keep in mind before jumping into something new.
Firstly, the best thing to remember when considering a new hobby is to keep it lighthearted. For college students especially, it may seem like everything hinges on success; hobbies are the exception. Starting a new activity is a learning process, and skill (sometimes) comes with time. The goal here, however, isn’t necessarily mastery, but enjoyment. If making the ugliest, most un-sweaterlike sweater in the world is your hobby, go for it!
If the idea of not succeeding at a new activity is frightening, there are some ways to make the process less stressful. For one, remembering that we do hobbies for ourselves, and not other people, can be helpful to remember. Some people are very open and love to share their hobbies, while others may want to keep them private, and both ways are perfectly fine! Nobody can tell you how you’re supposed to do your own hobby. Well, maybe they can if it’s an organized sport or chess. The point is, mindset is everything in starting and sticking with a new activity!
Sometimes it can be difficult to decide when and what to try when it comes to filling up free time. The biggest tip here is just to try. Not everything is going to be a perfect fit, and that’s perfectly fine. However, a good idea is revisiting hobbies from the past that may have slipped away from you. This could be anything: reading, drawing, cooking or crafts are all simple and fun things to fit into your schedule each day as a way to relax and de-stress. Hunt down your old favorite materials, or use that Amazon gift card you’ve been saving since Christmas to invest in some new supplies. If it’s a more expensive hobby, like playing a new instrument, investigate rental services, used materials or free learning options online.
Another tip for finding a new hobby is to branch off from already existing ones. Do you knit? Try crochet! Do you enjoy drawing? Try a mandala coloring book! Use existing interests to inspire you and try related hobbies. This is useful for finding a new hobby, but also builds on pre-existing skills. If this still doesn’t spark your interest, investigating clubs on campus and getting involved in a group activity may be the gateway to finding a new hobby. Even if it’s something completely different from your normal routine, you may discover a new passion just by putting yourself out there.
When the stress of life, school and work gets to you, it’s important to have something to do that’s purely for you. Whether it’s experimenting with something new or sticking to what you have a passion for, carving out even a few minutes for yourself in your schedule is so important. Filling this time with meaningful activities are even more important—these moments brighten even bad days and sticking with them can lead to new skills, new creations and healthier habits.
