GYM VLOG #15
Author: Julia Dulgerova
In previous blogs I have talked about building better habits, having routines, and being mindful.
But what about the simplicity of having hobbies? Finding things that you love to do, and it doesn’t matter whether you are good at them, whether they make you money, or whether you stick with them. Trying new things doesn’t even need to be a hobby, it could just be something for you to do to get out of your comfort zone and spend less on screens.
The world we live in is so extremely fast paced that we often forget to take the time in our day to pick up a new skill. People may tell you that in order for a hobby to be worth it you should start selling the things you create or make or find a way to make money from it. But I’m here to tell you that there is absolutely nothing wrong with having things you do just for you and nobody else.
So, try picking up a new hobby and try something new. You may use this list to test your abilities, have inspiration for things to do with friends, or simply fill some time in your day.
Outdoors
Try hiking! It’s a great way to get you in touch with nature and you can find cool things along the way like stones, plants, insects, birds, and all the beautiful things nature has to offer.
Go on a bike ride and have a good time! Most of us haven’t ridden a bike since being a child but there’s something so energizing and motivating about getting on a bike and just riding it around. You can go through your neighborhood, on a trail, or take it a step further and do some off-roading.
Make flower crowns! This past summer I re-learned how to make flower crowns and it was such an amazing thing. I taught my friends and we all made them for each other, people would come up and ask how we made them and want to learn, and using wildflowers to make flower crowns became a conversation starter and a way to meet new people!
Take whatever you’re doing inside, outside! This could mean reading your book, doing homework, working, etc. If you are able to, go outside and sit on a chair instead of on the couch or in bed. You can continue whatever it is you’re doing while soaking up the sun and filling your lungs with fresh air. Being outside can be very simple incorporated into your day this way.
Indoors
Try some arts and crafts! There are endless possibilities no matter your age when it comes to arts and crafts. Things like embroidery, candle making, crocheting, sewing, painting, and the list goes on and on. I love embroidering in the warmer months because I can do it outside and I noticed that in the colder months I like to do something called diamond painting. I’ve been doing them the past 2 winters and they are basically a painting that has a sticky film on it that you cover with small gems, and it creates a picture. Doing arts and crafts also often leaves you with something you can use! Whether that’s for decor or for wear, either way it’s fun.
Landscape Based
If you live near water, try kayaking, canoeing, tubing, or paddle boarding. If you live in the mountains, you can hike, mountain bike, do a nature walk, collect cool stones, learn about plants and wild harvesting, or find a creek to relax in. If you live by an ocean, you can of course swim, try surfing or boogie boarding, or even collect ocean water to make sea salt. If you live in a place with many fields and open spaces, you could learn about the wild plants in your area that often grow in these fields or explore the different ways landscape affects the area you live in. Often landscape comes with hobbies and the area you live in could offer endless possibilities!
Weather Based
We can all agree that most of the time when it’s warm we want to do things outside and when it’s cold we want to be inside. So, depending on the weather and the season, hobbies could be different. In the winter you can try skiing, snowboarding, or snow tubing if you want to be outside. And inside you can try baking something new or even start with a recipe you want to master that season like French macarons or homemade pasta. See how much you can develop your skill in that winter and take notes and pictures along the way to track your progress.
In the warmer weather it’s best to spend time outside and try new activities in nature!
Community
Volunteering is a great way to fill up your time that will help your community. You can volunteer at animal shelters, local churches, food banks, nursing homes, and so much more. You can even simply ask a neighbor if they need help mowing their lawn, cleaning up leaves, or snow plowing the driveway.
Independant
As I grow older, I’m trying to find comfort in doing things on my own and often I need to push myself a bit and get over the anxieties I might have. Me and my family have a great relationship and we often do things and run errands together but every once in a while, I make myself do something alone. This could mean going to the grocery store, picking something up from the store, getting coffee, etc. doing little things for yourself by yourself could be a way of self-care and a time outlet.
Finding hobbies and activities to do that don’t involve screens is extremely valuable. From a young age more and more people are struggling to have that distinct difference between reality and the video game world. People communicate through headsets with conversations revolving around their choice of game, they can’t see each other’s facial expressions and the ability to truly read people and their emotions is disappearing because of this. This leads to things like social anxiety and stress because video games and true life are different, and we need social skills. Gamers become blinded to real world obstacles, and this is extremely dangerous for humankind. That is why finding hobbies and trying new things is crucial.
These Are Some Resources for Finding Fun Things to do
Crochet Kit
Diamond Painting
Outdoor Activity Resource
https://www.recreation.gov/
Find books about certain skills you would like to learn!
