Find A Hobby! Why? Because no matter what side of the brain you use most or how busy your life is, we all need to thrive.
We thrive when we choose positive things that encourage us to be better.
A hobby doesn’t have to be arts and crafts or scrapbooking. Maybe we shouldn’t even call it a hobby; rather, doing something you enjoy – something that not only pleases you or relieves boredom but also brings growth.
My hubby has a creative side, but he is that left-brained guy who loves problem-solving, is a thinker, and loves to read. You wouldn’t catch him in a woodworking shop or making something with his hands – he isn’t geared that way. But he doesn’t lead a boring life.
He found something he enjoys that stimulates his brain and creates possibilities for his goals.
He went back to school. Yes, you heard me correctly – his first round of college wasn’t enough for him; he chose to do it again! My hubby loves to learn. He enjoys attending class in person, though some of his classes are done online. He loves interacting with professors and students. He loves having conversations of intellect.
Jason is also an avid reader. He picks up two or three books from his stack downstairs and does the same with the stack by our bed. When he needs to decompress from work, studying, or reading, he will watch tv or play a game, but his main interests invigorate the brain.
While it has been good for him to do something for his mind, he enjoys being active. When he isn’t in school, we like to go Kayaking and hiking. We both love nature, and it is refreshing to be outdoors where the world is more significant and impressive. To turn off our brains and see life happening around us, and to take time to listen to “nothing.”
Finding the joys in the trickling from our paddles stroking the water, the quiet beauty of a bird flying over us, and the breeze that moves across the water slows our busy thoughts, and we become grateful for the simple things.
I am right-brained. I have said that I am a “Jen of all trades and master of none” because I am interested in various things even if I’m not great at all. And my interests often change with whatever season of my life leads me. I’d say the one thing I mastered is writing. At least it’s the one area where I see growth, and I do it every day. But instead of calling it a hobby or even a career, I think for me, it’s a calling, and it will always be a part of my life.
I used to sing – a lot. I loved singing and songwriting but didn’t have the talent of the vocalists I admired. I used to cross-stitch, but I couldn’t sew. I used to sketch and paint, but I couldn’t put what was in my mind on canvas. I still love art. I still try to paint, but I accept my inability to paint with dimension, and I only pull out my paintbrush when the mood strikes.
Maybe people like me who have many interests don’t master these things because they don’t spend enough time on one thing to become a master. But I like having several interests and having the confidence to try anything I want. I love hiking, but I am not a ten-mile hiker, nor do I ever want to climb Everest. I love horses, but I am not going on trail rides every weekend. I love the relationship part of having my horse. I rode him when I was younger, but now we are older and enjoy just being together. And Smokey likes my singing.
I occasionally journal, but I am not fancy with all the stickers, formatting, and scrolly lettering, though I did try. I read, but I haven’t built my reading muscles to call myself an avid reader. When a book interests me, I will read it in a day or a weekend, but I don’t have withdrawals if I don’t have another book lined up. The mood must strike me, but also – I like to keep active, and reading all the time would keep me from doing other things. I enjoy reading my Bible daily, so I start my day early to have plenty of time for responsibilities and other interests.
Whether you are left-brained or right, please make time to do something stimulating personal growth and release you from the daily grind. It’s a necessary part of achieving good health.
If you haven’t thought much about it or felt you would one day make time for a hobby, but are too busy right now, do your best to step off the hamster wheel for a moment.
If you aren’t sure what you’d like to do – try many! I did.
Here is a list to get you started:
Reading
Puzzles
Learn a new language
Brain teasers
Play a musical instrument
Take a class
Listen to music
Gardening
Acting in a play
Trivia night
Cooking
Painting/art
Crafts
Fitness or physical activity
Woodworking
Lettering/journaling
Birdwatching
Hiking
Kayaking
Blogging
Camping
Exploring
Origami
Scrapbooking
Riding a bicycle
Rollerblading
Quilting
Wood burning
Bubble baths
#thursdaythrive #hobbies #whatareyoureading #breadcrumbs #jenjeffreybillington #writingwisdom22