Choosing the Right Hobby
I have always wanted to play the guitar, especially in high school. What better way to get the girl than the ability to sweetly strum a six-string piece of art? My hypnotic melodies would have girls flocking to me in no time. At least that's what my teenage brain told me. So I begged my parents to buy me an electric guitar for Christmas--and they promptly delivered. Step one of my plan was complete. The next step was to take some lessons. So I did. But despite my efforts, I was only able to learn a few cords and a couple of song intros. I just couldn't seem to train my brain to contort my fingers in just the right way at just the right time. Needless to say, I wouldn't be thrashing my guitar anytime soon nor impressing any girls.
The guitar would not be my newly found hobby. But I did enjoy learning something new. I enjoyed the time I spent in lessons and practicing. While there was undoubtedly frustration in the learning process, the time gave me a chance to ignore family, friends, teachers, grades, my job, or literally anything else. I focused exclusively on my lessons. And when I was done, I actually felt rested.
Despite my complete inability to play, I really enjoyed learning, and it became one of my all-time favorite hobbies. But playing (kind of) guitar was something I fell into for all the wrong reasons. So how do you choose a hobby that is perfect for you?
You need the kind of hobby that provides the perfect blend of escape, challenge, and feeling of accomplishment. What makes a hobby so great for our mental health is its ability to provide an escape from the regular world. It's something else our brain can engage with that's not our usual day-to-day monotony. So you need to find a challenging hobby. One that thoroughly demands brain space. But don't go overboard; you will risk giving up on something that creates unnecessary frustration. So here are a few thoughts to get you started.
First, think of all of the things you enjoy. Music, athletics, writing, woodworking, etc. Of those things you identified, pick one that either you haven't tried yet or at least haven't mastered. Second, consider what you do with the rest of your day and try to complement it. For example, if you're sitting all day, find something active to do for a hobby. If most of your day is spent thinking and talking, try something less social and more hands-on. Conversely, if you're alone most of the day, try a hobby that requires more socialization.
Hobbies shouldn't be viewed as just something else you do. It should be something that challenges you and allows your brain to work in different ways. It should be something you look forward to. So take your time finding the right thing.
Challenges/Points:
Hobbies are not about turning our brains off but about engaging our brains differently.
Challenging hobbies not only provide an escape but allows your brain to operate on an entirely different level.
Try finding a hobby that gives you the right balance in life. If you're sitting all day, you might not want to choose a hobby that requires sitting.
Questions:
If you haven't found the right kind of hobby that provides you the necessary balance, first ask yourself, "What do I do most of the day? How am I using my mind?"
What are some other activities that are both enjoyable and challenging?
What is the best way to get started? What resources do you need - lessons, training, etc.?
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