Your Adventure, Artistic Expression, & Leisure
There is nothing selfish about taking time to enjoy your life. What is the point of all the work if there is no enjoyment outside of it?
You are all about hard work. You put in the time and the effort. With so many responsibilities, we often tell ourselves we do not have time to do the things we want to do… the things we enjoy, the things that are just for us.
If you do not take time to recharge in healthy ways, you will burn out. You will experience physical health issues; and, ultimately, you will not be happy in your life.
This domain is all about finding more fun and enjoyment. What recharges you so you can return to work and other areas of your life as your best self?
Do you crave adventure – climbing a mountain, going new places, or trying new activities? Is it important to you to express yourself through creativity? Or do you just want to do nothing for a while?
Start by figuring out what you miss the most about your life before your career, a family, so many obligations… then schedule time to do those things. See what it does for you. You won’t be disappointed.
How to develop a new hobby as an adult in 5 steps:
1. Think back to your childhood.
What did you love to do as a child? As we get older we often think we no longer have time to engage in the activities we enjoy. We tell ourselves “play time is over.” So, think back to what you liked to do when you were younger. For many of us, the activities we enjoyed as children are still things we would enjoy today as adults. For instance:
- If you liked to climb trees, find a rock-climbing wall.
- If you liked to draw, buy a new sketch pad.
- If you liked to run around in the yard, find a jogging trail.
2. Ask yourself questions.
Start with asking “what do I value?” Get clear on what you value, whether it is helping others, creating something from raw materials, spending time outdoors or around animals, or something else. Whatever it is, it can point you toward your newest hobby. Other questions to ask include:
- What am I good at? We all like to spend time doing things we excel at, so start here.
- What is my budget? It won’t be fun in the end if you are stressed about spending more money than your budget allows.
- Do I prefer to sit still or get moving? You won’t enjoy drawing if you want to be outside moving.
3. Do research.
If you think you are interested in something new but do not know much about it, go learn. Through the Internet, you have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.
4. What do those you love enjoy doing?
If it is already difficult for you to take time for yourself, maybe start by doing something fun with someone you love. Find something your spouse or kids enjoy doing and do that with them.
5. Experiment
The good news is you don’t have to be 100% sure whether you will enjoy a hobby before you try it. Treat it like an experiment and try new experiences until you decide what you like most.
For more guidance, check out additional resources from Domain Wellness Partners by clicking the button below.