In childhood, I think that a lot of us were encouraged to have hobbies. Our parents put us into dance classes and Girl Scouts and choirs and soccer teams and karate and teddy bear aerobics (it was 1992 and we were cool, okay??), and a lot of those continued throughout our childhood and adolescence. Everything seems to go haywire in adulthood though, and hobbies can disappear very, very quickly. Life gets busy, big changes happen, and priorities shift. However, I believe that is when you need your hobbies the most! Today I’m chatting about why your hobbies are important and why you need to make time for them!
Hobbies Challenge You
I have a few hobbies that aren’t my blog! For anyone who doesn’t know, I’ve danced my entire life. I was one of those bunheads who spent most of their time at the dance studio, and I liked it that way! However, in university, I eventually stopped ballet- I was in a lot of pain from my arthritis,I had a concussion that meant I had to sit out indefinitely, and joining Alpha Gamma Delta meant that I had many more commitments all of a sudden. I would say that ballet was certainly more than a hobby, but it was certainly an outlet for me. When I started taking classes at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet a few years ago, I had my outlet back- I was able to exercise my mind and body and develop those skills again.
I am in my happy place when I am being challenged. That doesn’t mean that I want to spend all of my time trying things that are far out of my skill range but I like feeling like I have accomplished something at the end of the day. For me, that comes from ballet! There is always something to work on and improve, and you can always see progress. Although a lot of things are out of our control, having something that you can control and go at your own pace is important for all of us!
Hobbies Develop Skills
At this point in time, I do still consider this blog a hobby, even though I spend 20-30 hours a week on it. When I started a blog, I had no idea what I was in for. Social media schedules? HTML? Photo editing? Schedulers? Affiliates? Why would I need I need to know any of that? Oh, yeah, those are all things that go into a blog… I am incredibly grateful for all of the skills and abilities that I have developed through my blog. I have always had strong time management skills because of how much I danced, but my blog has helped me refine them to the utmost. I work 2-4 weeks ahead for the blog currently to make sure that posts are always up when they need to be, and I spend at least an hour a day on social media. (Social media has to be done at the right times or else it can be quite pointless, sadly.) I know when you should post what kind of media on which network, what needs to be a specific colour, and how to interpret engagement.
I also now have basic coding skills that have actually helped at work! I have worked on my design and layout of my blogs and posts. I format posts on a daily basis, and edit over 25,000 words a month. I have learned how to kindly, politely, and efficiently speak with people that I have never met in person. Although I am no professional, I can take and edit my photos far better than I could have ever imagined! And all of this from a hobby… not too shabby, indeed!
Hobbies Let You Escape
Adulthood is hard. There can be a never-ending string of problems and issues and stress and challenges that you can’t control and that can feel like an impossible mountain that you have to keep climbing. We all need an escape, even if it is just 5 or 10 minutes where you don’t have to focus on everything coming at you! For me, that escape is largely through books.
I love reading. I am one of those readers who has 3 different books on the go at once and takes the opportunity of a wait in line or a cancelled dinner as an excuse to read more. I am in no less than four book clubs (including my own online book club, which I would love for you to join!), I enjoy looking at my reading stats on Goodreads, and I spend far too much trying to decide which book is next. Is spending 20 minutes on Goodreads the best use of my time? No, probably not, but it is a lovely escape that lets me decide which world will be a good escape next, and that is priceless.
Do you think your hobbies are important? And what are your hobbies?
Cheers,
The Historian
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I agree I don’t think I would know what to do with my hobbies – which I include blogging in. It is an escape for me and they bring me joy.
The world is too crazy (and negative) to not do what brings us joy!!
Hobbies are definitely important! I used to write all the time back in high school, and I kind of gave it up in college and early adulthood…but I rediscovered my love for it this past year, and I’ve now written a novel and started my blog! Like you, although I spend a lot of time on the blog, I do still consider it a “hobby” at this point, just as writing in general is. I hope one day for it to be more, but I’m pleased to be able to have it as a hobby at this time.
I also played clarinet for about 10 years, up until I went to college. Like your ballet, it was more than a hobby, but it wasn’t a professional career, either. I play only a little from time to time these days, particuarly at Christmas when I like to bust out the Christmas carols, and when I do, I am always glad to have music back in my life, if only for a little bit. 🙂
And, I’m with you on spending a good 20 minutes on Goodreads each day. Also add another 5-10 minutes on my public library’s website, where I can see what books I currently have out, have requested, and have en route to me via the inter-library loan system. Even though not much changes on these pages, I like to look at them each day. May be the world’s saddest hobby, but it makes me happy! 🙂
I have to admit, I spend a good 10-15 minutes a day on NetGalley- requesting books and seeing what is coming out!! (I hate the thought that I might miss something if I don’t check haha) I like to think that reading gets me “life points”, because fiction or non-fiction, it always makes me think. I’m finding my library isn’t updating their site as often currently, so I’m only really checking once a week, but I do still have to check (JUST in case haha).
I always wished I was able to play an instrument!! (We weren’t allowed- my mom can literally play anything and knew we wouldn’t have time to practice with all of our dance classes.) Would you ever join a group to keep playing?? (Also feel free to share your carols on social media!!!!!)
I think hobbies are important too. Adulthood is hard! Some escapism and having something else other than the daily chores of work housework etc is so impotant – it’s good for mind body and soul!
Hobbies are definitely important. It gives you that work/life balance. Plus it shows potential employers when you write on your CV that you do other things 🙂
And a lot of employers are looking at that now!! Most will require you have paid experience for most of the requirements, but having those “extras” can put you over the top!
I think hobbies are essential in life. Having something that is just for you – whether it is painting, reading, writing, etc – is pretty much a god send most days. It was one of the things that got me through really stressful moments during my college years. And now, I try to sit and read when I feel stressed out. It doesn’t happen as often as I want.
Also, like you said, they’re a great way to actually relieve stress and keep yourself from bottling it up!
Exactly- we all need some sort of escape, even if it is just reading a few pages or doodling on sticky notes for a few moments. We need to stop this trend of being proud of ALWAYS WORKING AND NEVER TAKING A SINGLE SECOND AWAY. It is exhausting, and we are all complex people who need different things to keep us happy at different times!
I agree with you hobbies are important!
When I was a kid I did ballet & tap dancing until my parents moved & I played piano until I went to college. I also enjoyed reading, but that dipped A LOT in college. Luckily I’ve been getting into reading again & I agree it’s a nice escape from life!
We all need an escape- more so when we are adults, than kids!