Ep.#013 - The Power of Hobbies in Adulting

What if a hobby could actually make adult life more meaningful?

Photo by melanfolia меланфолія on Unsplash

• Do you ever feel like every day looks the same?

• What do you do just for the fun of it?

• Think hobbies are only for kids?

I refuse to believe that adult life is meant to be miserable. I accept that this world is difficult, and that hard work is required to support a full filling life and a family. But I have fought back against this crushing idea of a boring adulthood. One of the areas that has made the biggest impact is trying out new hobbies.

There is something beautiful about learning a new skill or creating something from scratch.

I have found that choosing to spend time on a hobby and chasing the fun is always worth it. I want to feel more connected to myself, and I know that trying new things helps me do that.

I also love the way new hobbies create connections with other people when we share what we’ve learned.

These pursuits, no matter how small, have the power to bring more lightness into my life and connect me to others in unexpected ways.

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Practical Tips to Start a New Hobby -

• Do not spend a bunch of money or a whole shelf of supplies.

• Allow yourself to be a beginner and make mistakes.

• It’s not meant to be perfect or win an award — do it for fun.

• Keep it simple — don’t overcomplicate it.

Think of what you would do to help a 12 year old try out a new hobby.

What would you gather to give them an easy start? What would be an easy win?

Examples:

• cross stitching - get an intro kit with samplers

• candle making - make tea lights

• painting - get a cheap canvas an a few paints using a YouTube video tutorial.

keep it simple and fun

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Here are some hobbies that I have enjoyed at different times and in a variety of ways:

Notice which ones stand out to you and grab your attention.

• nature journaling

• knitting 

• homemade things  

• sewing  

• painting objects 

• canning 

• baking 

• homemade soap  

• finger knitting  

• painting on a canvas 

• Baking fresh bread each week 

• wood burning 

• paper crafting  

• walking

• journaling 

• candle making 

• Nature Study 

• Reading poetry 

• Organizing areas of my home 

• Bird watching 

• Weightlifting / kickboxing

• Photography 

• Hiking 

• Gardening 

• Raising chickens 

• Adult coloring 

• Cloud watching and learning about weather

• astronomy

• water color

• drawing / sketching with pencil

Hobbies give us a chance to step outside the routines that sometimes feel stifling, inviting us to rediscover joy and curiosity.

I believe that you can start this week. and Start small.

Fight for yourself. Make some space for trying something new. Pick up an old childhood interest and give it a fresh perspective. Start with things that you loved.

It will be an uphill battle to become yourself again.  It is worth it! You cannot pour from an empty bucket for forever. You must be filled as well. 

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Quotes -

There is something beautiful about learning a new skill or creating something from scratch.

“You get to experiment without the consequences. You get to create what is in your head rather than adapting to someone else’s expectations.”

“Initiating a project with no parameters and no expectations from others also forces you to stay self-aware and learn to follow your intuition.” 

from Manage Your Day-to-Day by Jocelyn K. Glei

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“Slow hobbies are good hobbies. I cannot come up with a hobby that is rushed: fishing, crocheting, rock climbing…”

“I cared most about being liked versus liking myself. When you start listening to your own heart and your own wants life gets so much richer.”

“Hobbies are so important! They bring connection with others and ourselves.” 

– That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs

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Reflection Questions -

What is a fun hobby idea for you? 

What are some activities that make you feel like yourself? 

What lights you up or excites you to learn more? 

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Show Notes:

Connect with April: https://linktr.ee/april.edwards

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Music intro/outro from Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/music/acoustic-group-acoustic-folk-acoustic-guitar-138361/

reflection music: Me and my guitar Unplugged Billy_Ziogas - https://pixabay.com/music/acoustic-group-me-and-my-guitar-unplugged-222588/