subject: Jump On Your Hobby Horse! [print this page] What brings in a sense of success, satisfaction, lifts depression, develops mental wellbeing whilst attracting a social circle? Answers on a postcard...
Hobbies are underestimated, seen often as the domain of the potting shed or a pointless exercise that takes time and money. They are in fact a worthwhile life enhancing activity that is completely overlooked by many.
I dont have time I hear a chorus coming over the airwaves, but even if you indulge only a few hours a month, the rewards that are reaped can be invaluable. I calculated that watching 2 favourite soaps a week over a month comes to around a whopping 12 hours! What if we used that time for an activity that allowed us to develop a facet of our character that not only would we find of great personal value but even may have the bonus of including our partner and allow our family to participate too.
Do not dismiss hobbies as an expensive past time, that can be true depending on what you choose to do; being a fine art collector for example would be the domain of multi millionaires! However some hobbies can actually earn you money. Creating a collection of something that you are interested in may gain value as a whole, whilst each item alone has little monetary worth. Some postcard collections for example have become interesting and valuable in themselves.
Learning about your interest can make you into an expert of that field and attract people that will seek your advice.
Some people have even developed their hobby into a new career and created a complete life style change.
There are no rights or wrongs around a hobby (as long as they are legal and not anti-social!) Make sure you find a hobby that is really YOU and dont let a limited perspective of your own talents and skills hold you back from exploring something you have always wanted to do. Of course it has to be enjoyable too.
Some Pointers
if you are unsure about what you would like to do then experiment with lots of different activities.
check to see if your local adult education centre has any evening classes in the skill you feel you would like more practice in, writing for example.
do not let other people undermine your new found interest.
see if there is an already existing club that you could join.
work out your budget and your time. How much money are you honestly able to spend on your hobby and how much time will you allocate to it. Anything more is a bonus
decide if you would like a hobby that involves family and friends or do you see this as precious time to spend on yourself.
most of all prepare to enjoy the feeling of success and achievement it gives you and just GO FOR IT!
Find out more about your chosen hobby: Google it, go the library and you tell me!by: caz
