What I learned on my year-long quest to develop fulfilling hobbies
For most of my life, I spent all of my time and energy on my job of being a diligent student. I lacked a regular hobby just for the joy of it. However, everything changed early last year when I found myself single and moving across the country, far from friends and family. Realizing the need to find happiness when I am by myself, I embarked on a year-long quest to explore and develop fulfilling hobbies. This article reflects on my journey, challenges, and valuable lessons I learned along the way.
What I learned on my year-long quest to develop fulfilling hobbies
Finding fun can be a surprisingly difficult process
Embarking on my hobby journey, I quickly realized that deciphering what truly makes us happy is surprisingly challenging. While some people effortlessly find their passions, for others, it can be as confusing as figuring out their career path. Comparing myself to friends with well-defined hobbies left me feeling bland and lost. But I learned that it’s normal to be unsure and that finding your passion project is a journey that requires patience and self-compassion.
One of the pivotal moments during this journey was when my friend shared her own struggles in finding her passions. Despite being an avid reader and chess enthusiast, she confessed that she often felt lost and uncertain about her true hobbies. This revelation made me realize that many of us are too hard on ourselves when it comes to finding hobbies and that it’s okay to be confused about our passions.
Self-reflection is crucial to discovering what makes us happy
Throughout my journey of discovering and developing hobbies, I realized the significance of self-reflection in understanding what truly brings me joy. Taking the time to know myself deeper allowed me to identify my genuine interests and preferences. Introspection helped me uncover hidden passions and shed light on activities that did not resonate with my true self.
I have found journaling or other versions of talking out my thoughts with myself or others very helpful. It’s particularly beneficial to write down my thoughts after an experience to document how I felt doing it and what I liked and didn’t like.
We should all embrace being amateurs
Another significant breakthrough came when I shed the fear of being bad at something. Earlier this year, I read a book (“That Sounds Fun” by Annie Downs), which really changed my perspective on hobbies. Her message that amateur is an honorable title struck a chord within me. I had always been afraid of trying things I wasn’t already good at, but this book encouraged me to let go of that fear.
I applied that mindset in my life directly and started to embrace my identity as an amateur writer, a beginner in yoga, and more. This change allowed me to focus on the joy these activities brought me instead of seeking perfection. It sounds simple, but at age 21, I had to learn to have fun healthily in hobbies by engaging in activities only for the joy they bring.
Creating projects for myself helps me keep organized and motivated
Something that helped me to deepen my passions was to adopt a project-based approach to maintain structure and motivation. Like in a workplace environment, where projects have defined goals and timelines, I applied the same practices to my hobbies. Taking on fun projects related to my interests helped me gain new skills and knowledge while adding a sense of fulfillment. For example, turning my love for writing into a project of self-publishing a children’s book not only helped me feel a greater sense of purpose but also exposed me to various aspects of the book-making process.
One of the most rewarding experiences was turning my passion for writing into a tangible project. I set out to self-publish a children’s book, and throughout the drafting, editing, and publishing process, I learned so much about the world of children’s literature and illustration. It was a project that gave me a sense of direction and accomplishment.
Tracking progress helps me feel like I’m making progress
I discovered that tracking progress in my hobbies is essential to feeling a sense of accomplishment and reward for me. Like in any other endeavor, keeping a record of my journey allowed me to see how far I’ve come and appreciate the milestones I achieved. Whether through a simple journal, a project checklist, or even a social media account dedicated to my hobby, documenting my progress helped me stay motivated and encouraged.
During my hobby journey, I started maintaining a journal to record my experiences, thoughts, and achievements related to my hobbies. It was gratifying to look back and see how much I had grown and accomplished over time. This practice boosted my confidence and reminded me of the joy I found in pursuing these activities.
Passion can ebb and flow
The concept of unwavering passion for a hobby is often romanticized, but I learned that it’s entirely normal for our interests to ebb and flow. Life is filled with many different responsibilities and challenges that can cause our passions to take a backseat during certain periods. Acknowledging this natural fluctuation allowed me to embrace the impermanence of intense enthusiasm while remaining open to rediscovering my passions in different seasons of life.
Understanding the fluidity of passion has been a crucial lesson. There were moments when my enthusiasm for certain hobbies waned, and I felt guilty for not dedicating all my free time to them. However, I realized that life’s demands and personal growth are significant in how we engage with our hobbies. I might be eager to write one day and want to relax in bed with a movie the next, and that’s a good thing because balance is a good thing.
Conclusion
My year-long pursuit of discovering and cultivating fulfilling hobbies taught me valuable lessons about self-compassion, embracing the journey of self-discovery, and finding joy in being an amateur.
I’ve since realized the power of hobbies in shaping a happy and content life. So, to anyone embarking on a similar journey, remember to be patient, kind to yourself, and enjoy the beautiful process of discovering what truly makes you come alive.
The outcome — an exciting announcement!!
With that, I am excited to announce the fruition of my year-long hobby journey in the form of my very own children’s book, Flour Power! This heartwarming tale celebrates the power of friendship and how supportive friends can inspire each other to explore and develop hobbies.
I found so much joy and fulfillment in expressing my creativity through writing and illustrating this book. Flour Power is a tribute to the transformative influence of friends and the beauty of pursuing passions that bring us happiness. Join me in this celebration of friendship and the enchanting world of Flour Power, now available on Amazon.
Thanks for following along on the journey :)
- Ashley
Note: This post contains an affiliate link to my own book, available on Amazon.
