How to discover your hobby
Want to find a hobby but have no idea what that could be for you? Here's your guide for discovering it at last.
At one point or another, we have all felt the pull to do something more interesting than what we’re currently doing. There are many situations that may bring this about. A common pastime often responsible for this sense of unfulfillment, though, involves doom scrolling for hours on end, where we know that we want to do something better while not knowing what that could be. The great news is, that “something better” is closer than you think!
Hobbies are commonly underutilized for making life more interesting, many times for a very simple reason: it is challenging to narrow down where to start. This can be in regard to which hobby to pursue and how to start once you’ve determined the hobby. In this post, we’re going to focus on the discovery of your hobby, as you cannot start on anything without pinpointing what that is in the first place.
The Two Parts of Hobby Discovery
To find a hobby and start on it, there are two parts you will need to broach in the discovery process:
1. Discovering what you’re deeply inspired by
2. Giving your inspirations the time of day to become your own hobbies
Let’s dive into these aspects so you can find the hobby you’ve been missing.
Part 1: Discovering Your Inspirations
The first part of hobby discovery sounds pretty straightforward, right? For some, however, discovering what deeply inspires them (as it relates to their own individuality) can pose quite a challenge.
There is no shame in currently not knowing what your personal sources of inspiration are, but there is immense value that can come from understanding this for your hobbies (and your own personal development). In other words: take this step seriously. Your hobbying will benefit in many ways.
Where to Find Inspirations
There are so many ways you can go about becoming inspired. One way is experientially, which could include spending time in nature, traveling, or checking out new places and/or events. You could also find inspiration visually, which could include sights from your surroundings, media such as movies and books, or discovery engines such as Pinterest. The same applies to sound, if you are deeply moved by music or pitch frequencies (such as singing bowls, wind chimes, etc.). Or perhaps you find yourself inspired by smell or taste.
Inspiration is highly sensory, so be present and observant of this various information. Your unique way of processing and making sense of the world around you is your superpower.
What to Do with Inspirations
Once you start to have an idea of what you’re inspired by (which is an ever-evolving process), you can begin to use that understanding to inform which hobby you’d be interested in pursuing. Forget whether or not you think you can learn how to do it; just focus on what moves you right now.
If you are drawn to intricate European cabled sweaters like I am, as an example, perhaps consider knitting. Or, if you’re moved by the sound of Native American flutes also like I am, why not learn how to play the flute?
The goal of this step is to look at one of your inspirations and make it actionable. To determine what you can do to live out your inspiration. It often helps to make a list of your inspirations or to create an inspiration board, that way you have either in front of you to serve as your jumping off and initial decision point.
When to Act on Inspirations
With knowing what your inspirations are and pinpointing which hobby corresponds with those, you can then start determining what your first steps would be if you were to actually start that hobby. Perhaps you are inspired enough to get started right now, or perhaps you’re still not completely sold. Either way, sit tight for a second and do not buy anything yet!
It is important that you understand what you are getting into before launching right into your hobby. To have a broader overview of what your hobby entails and what you need to know (and/or buy) to get started, consider watching/reading some beginner videos and articles. Develop a basic understanding of what the core concepts, techniques, and tools are. Perhaps join a forum to ask questions to others who are also getting started or have experience with this hobby.
Some of you reading this post may find yourself amped up about your hobby and eager to live out your inspirations at last. Or, perhaps it’s the opposite where you find yourself reluctant about whether you’re cut out for the hobby. Continue reading for the missing piece you need to hear.
Part 2: Developing Your Mindset
Becoming inspired and finding your hobby is half the battle for starting the hobby. The other half is believing you have what it takes to actually do it. Doubting your abilities often translates into a lived outcome: preventing yourself from starting the hobby and thus never seeing what you could have otherwise achieved.
No one who is considered a “master” in their respective discipline was excellent when they first started; it takes months and years to start seeing the fruits of these labors. But the goal doesn’t always need to be mastery; proficiency for your own personal enjoyment is certainly enough.
Once you pinpoint a possible hobby, you must “realize” the gain (just like you would by selling shares of a stock. But this is not investment advice!). In this example, though, your mindset is the means for actualizing the benefit (your hobby). Here are some important principles to adapt for this.
“I can put my mind to anything I’m inspired by.”
You are only limited by the belief that you are limited in your abilities. Of course, there are some hobbies that are more expensive than others, but there are several hobbies that are accessible to just about anyone. You can definitely find a hobby that matches up with your inspirations in one way or another. You just need to get creative and give it a chance. Don’t stop before you start!
“Just because I’m not a natural doesn’t mean I can’t improve and excel in the future.”
Going back to the statement about the “masters”, it takes persistence, patience, and time to get good (especially great) at anything. It is important to avoid becoming discouraged in the early stages and to see these initial challenges as part of the learning process. Everyone starts with the fundamentals early on before they are able to produce incredible results. Have fun with the process and laugh when tangles happen; you can start to appreciate these moments down the line and wonder how you managed to mess up in that way after sticking with it for a while.
“I can start something new at any point of my life.”
It is all too common to hear grown adults say, “I wish I could have learned how to [name the hobby]”. There are inherently going to be hobbies (specifically, more physical endeavors) that present more of a barrier to entry for certain ages than others. There are also many hobbies that you can start at any phase of life that require a little learning but are accessible otherwise. Avoid becoming that adult! You can start on just about anything, regardless of age, if you work up to it.
Start Discovering Your Hobby
Colorful days await with the discovery of your hobby. By finding your inspirations and developing your mindset, you will be well on your way to starting your hobby beyond the initial discovery phase.
Once you decide what your hobby will be, be sure to check out Hobbyisms’ library of posts on getting started. You will find a wealth of insights on taking those first steps when you are ready to embark on this new journey.
Happy hobbying!