It’s stressful enough to worry about what you do with your down time. Even answering the question is enough. “What do you like to do for fun?”Anxiety can cause some people anxiety. Perhaps you were once a talented photographer or a skilled knitter but your life has gotten in the way.
Maybe you have never taken up a hobby. That’s okay too. Sometimes you might not have the motivation, time or energy to take that hike, finish your scrapbook or make that memory quilt.
It seems that the notion that a hobby must require a particular skill may be the root cause of anxiety surrounding pastimes.
What Makes Us Feel Anxious About Hobbies?
It can be difficult to accept a “hobby-less”It’s easy to live the good life when your social media feeds fill with people who are skilled at woodwork, embroidery, and baking delicious pastries.
Even more so when it seems like everyone is turning their hobbies into a profitable side hustle—couldn’t we all use a little extra cash? Are hobbies still considered a hobby when they become work?
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Put pressure on yourself to be the best. “best”It isn’t productive to work at a specific art form. Seeing these perfectly-curated Instagram pages from people who’ve spent countless hours honing their crafts might make you feel like you’re not “good”Enough or “artsy”You are brave enough to try it, which can lead you into a bigger rut.
What are Hobbies?
Merriam Webster says a hobby can be described as “a pursuit outside one’s regular occupation, engaged in especially for relaxation.”So binging on a season of The Great British Baking ShowIt technically counts to drink copious amounts hot tea, right?
Your hobby/hobbies don’t have to look a certain way, they just need to make you FeelYou do it in a certain way. You can also choose to watch television as a way to relax.
Hobbies don’t have to require a lot of skill, practice, or creativity. You can do a puzzle, relax on your porch, or take your dog out for a walk. But it’s also okay if you don’t enjoy those activities or feel relaxed doing those things.
A life without Hobbies
Do we really need formal hobbies? All of us remember the “hustle” culture that dominated before 2020—the burnout that many people experienced was palpable. Many realized that they had to slow down and take joy in the small things during the pandemic.
According to The 2009 study was published by the National Library of MedicineEngaging in enjoyable activities can be good for your mind. AndYour physical health. But that doesn’t mean your hobbies have to be some elaborate, grand, or physically demanding undertaking. You can unwind by choosing something simple to do in your spare hours, provided you have them.
You can meditate, take a nap, or listen to a podcast—as long as you feel relaxed, we (and Merriam-Webster!) It counts as a hobby. When someone asks, tell them. “What do you do for fun?”There are likely to be many things you love.