Adulting is hard. There never seems to be enough time for anything these days, especially a new hobby as an adult. And sometimes, it may feel like you’re too old to start new things. This simply isn’t true!
There are several ways you can incorporate new hobbies into your life, no matter how old you are. And having hobbies is good for your health!
So, let’s get straight into how you can find a new hobby as an adult!
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The benefits of having a hobby
A 2013 study, as cited by the BBC, found that learning new skills significantly improved the memory of older participants, for a prolonged time. Other studies have shown that having a hobby can boost your creativity, communication, and problem-solving!
In today’s busy, somewhat isolated world, hobbies can connect you to new people, expanding your social circle and reducing the chances of developing anxiety and depression.
Now that I’m sure you’re buzzing about starting a new hobby, let’s find out how you can start a new hobby as an adult.
Also see: Finding a hobby that heals you
How to find and stick to a hobby
1. What interests you?
Making time for something that doesn’t remotely interest you won’t have a positive impact on your mental health. Chances are that this new hobby will just fall to the wayside, gathering dust and making you feel bad for not following through with what you started.
When looking for a new hobby, you should take stock of what interests you. If you’re already an avid reader but would like to start a new book-related hobby, why not start bookbinding?
If you’re not sure what interests you anymore, then consider what you enjoyed doing as a kid! This helps narrow down a few options, and you might just reignite your youthful
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2. What are your friends doing?
Let your friends inspire you and find out if they’d be keen to have you join their activities! Sometimes, it’s easier to start new things with the people you love, and it’s more likely that you’ll stick to your new hobby.
3. How do you like spending your free time?
Sometimes you just want to forget about the stress of life and work. But, an intensive hobby, like learning a new language, might just very well feel like work. If this is the case, chances are, you won’t want to carry on.
Instead, you might want to consider reading, gardening, or going to a dance class. Some activities are better at taking your mind off life than others!
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4. Schedule hobby time
Booking time in your calendar for your hobby could be key to you sticking to your new hobby in your busy adult years. As long as you’re being realistic and fair to yourself, intentionally setting free time aside for your new hobby could be beneficial.
This can also help take out a lot of anxiety around doing your hobby. If you’re free most Wednesday evenings, you know you can slot hobby time in then! From there, you can plan around your hobby, rather than trying to squeeze your hobby in somewhere randomly
5. Try different things
Don’t be afraid to try different hobbies and activities to see if you’ll enjoy them. Buy that candle-making kit if the idea of homemade scented candles intrigues you. Trying new things allows you to learn more about yourself, which is always a bonus.
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Hobbies you can try next!
- Yoga
- Running
- Flower pressing
- Bookbinding
- Dance classes
- DIY Candles
- Making your own bread
- Photography
- Experimental cookingHow to find (and stick to) a hobby as an adult
- Learning a new language
ALSO SEE:
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