By: Allison Grundy
“What do you do in your free time?” It’s a simple question that often leads to wistful answers such as “I used to draw” or “I’ve always wanted to learn guitar.” Many have forgotten their hobbies and those small dreams of trying new things.
When was the last time you actually created something? Do you have anything to show for your time beyond a screen time report?
A hobby can be referred to as anything you do in your leisure time for pleasure, and sticking to hobbies is often linked to an increased sense of well-being.
A lot of hobbies are costly and time-consuming, making them an investment.
But start small, and if you tell yourself that you don’t have enough time in the day for hobbies, check your screen time. With the average person spending hours a day on their phone, even more people seem to scroll as though it were a hobby. But is media consumption a hobby? Possibly, but the hobbies that focus on creating seem to be especially meaningful for well-being.
I often find myself talking about phone usage with friends, always coming to the same conclusion that it’s draining our energy and minds. I would never admit my actual screen time. I would feel embarrassed, even though the numbers look better than they used to.
I am always eager and excited to talk about creative endeavors, to talk about the scarf I’m making, maybe to share the new recipe that worked out well.
But that wasn’t always the case. During my first years of college, I went for a long time without a hobby. I read only one or two books per semester; I never created anything or found the time to write. However, since then I have been trying to change that.
If you haven’t tried a hobby in a while, I encourage you to try something new. Stick with it even if it takes time. Create something even if it turns out terrible.
Be patient. Would you tell a child you didn’t like their finger-painting? Or that their sandcastle looks like the tide already washed up on it? Of course not, but why? Because children are new to everything. So, when we are new at something, we should treat ourselves with the same level of patience.
Too often I forget that doing creative things brings me so much happiness and inspiration. Creativity in one aspect rolls over to the next. And suddenly, free time goes from time spent scrolling to time spent creating something.
When you do develop a new skill, finish a project or bake the perfect banana bread, take account of how you feel. Ask yourself if it was a good use of your time. And see how your self-confidence changes.
