Over the pandemic, many of us picked up new hobbies. As someone quick to give up on hobbies I am not good at, it is important to remember that hobbies are hobbies—you don’t need to be good at them; you just have to enjoy them. Try these tips to help find what makes you happy!
Many of us began new hobbies during the quarantine: painting, cooking, knitting, and anything to save us from boredom. As we engaged in more of these activities, we learned more about ourselves—our purpose—from what we are good at to what we enjoy. If you are like me, however, this might not have been as easy (and that’s okay!).
I am the type to try many things, but if I am not good at it right away, I give up. While it is completely valid to move onto something new that piques your interest, how can you know that you truly do not enjoy that hobby? How much time are you giving yourself to learn? Why are you embarrassed? Moreover, why are you pressuring yourself so hard to be good at something that is meant to be fun? As the pandemic went on, these were questions I asked myself frequently. In searching for my hobbies and passions, I found these tips to be the most helpful:
Seek out your inner child. Before all the pressures of adolescence, what made you happy as a child? What did you do purely because you wanted to? Hobbies have no age limit—explore everything and anything that brings out the happiness of your youth.
Reframe everyday activities. Pay attention to the little things you do every day. How do you feel when you cook, organize, or go for walks? Dive deeper into what brings you peace and joy. Become more involved with your actions, and transform the passivity of the activity into a passion.
Expand your horizon. What is your career or field of study? What traits of those areas do you enjoy most? Search within that field for related activities. More than likely, you will find enjoyment, skill, and benefits towards your passion and career!
Throughout my hobby hunt, I found the first and third pieces of advice most beneficial. As a creative in marketing and graphic design, I started to draw again—something I did a lot as a child but never fully developed. It is definitely a work in progress, and sometimes I am hard on myself for how the illustrations look. Nevertheless, remembering that this is a hobby and that I enjoy seeing my progress inspires and brings me the most joy in my personal and professional life.
Good luck to you all as you find your hobbies—and hopefully from that, your purpose.
Ratatouille GIF from Gifer