Over the past few days, we’ve taken a look at how we spend our time, what we spend it on and what may be sucking time away from us.
In other words, we started to be more intentional with how we spend our time and what we spend it on. That leaves quite a few hours each week open to new things.
We’re no longer watching mindless TV shows. Or letting social media draw us in. We have time to do the things we convinced ourselves we didn’t have time for.
Today I want to encourage you to embrace your hobbies and interests. Do you remember having all afternoon, weekends, and school holidays to do what you loved to do?
Without the obligations of adulthood, it’s easy to enjoy a hobby or explore other interests. Adult responsibilities seem to make it tougher to find time for those interests.
We often let go of the things we enjoy doing the most. It’s time to take back that joy and pick up those hobbies and interests again …or even find something new to try.
Hobbies are an important part of living with purpose. They give balance to our lives and allow us to spend some much needed time on something we enjoy.
They help us de-stress and are fun. For example, if you work in front of a computer all day, it can be tough to see the fruits of your labor.
You work hard, but at the end of the day, you don’t see anything that shows what you’ve accomplished. To balance this, consider a hobby like gardening, sewing, knitting, or woodworking.
Spend an hour in the evening on your favorite hobby and you can actually see, feel, and touch the progress you’ve made.
Hobbies can also help us unwind and let go of all the stress and anxiety that has built up over the workday. This, in turn, is good for our health and mental well-being.
Think about relaxing hobbies like playing music, crafting, painting, or gardening. Those tend to help us sleep better and feel refreshed in the waking hours.
Hobbies also give us a chance to connect with other like-minded individuals. There are classes, groups, clubs, and even guilds for all sorts of different things.
Or you can go your own way and form your own group. Find a few other cycling enthusiasts and organize group rides on the weekends. Start a monthly book club for a chance to discuss your favorite works of fiction with other readers.
Embrace your hobbies and interests and make them part of your everyday life again.
JohnK 6-13-2017
Overheard: “Notice when your heart leaps up in joyous exuberance…In these moments the voice of your spirit is speaking directly to you.
– Justine Willis Toms
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