Have you ever felt the pressure of having a hobby – because you see other people engaging in their hobbies, and you feel guilty for not having one of your own? Have you ever thought that a lack of a hobby makes you less accomplished, less connected, or less interesting?
Lately, I’ve noticed that many of my clients are troubled by their lack of hobby participation. “I know, I know,” they say, “I have to find a hobby”. Because we’ve all been taught that hobbies are an essential part of a good life. But what if you don’t like to fish, hike, do yoga, or play ball? And what if you try things, and can’t stick to them? Does this mean you are failing?
The answer is no. When people discover hobbies that they love, and are privileged enough to find the time, energy, and money to invest in them, that’s a wonderful thing! To them I say – keep it up! But for the rest of us, activity is simply more fluid. I don’t think we can debate the fact that activity and life exploration (when you have the time and energy), can be a wonderful way to tend to yourself. But it doesn’t always have to look the same and you don’t always have to develop some deep passion. Maybe one week you read a book. The next you try a spin class. The next you go for a nature walk. The next you play some word games. And so on, and so on. Maybe you’ll like some of the things you try, and you’ll do them again. And maybe not! Regardless, you will benefit from the journey. Perhaps you’ll challenge your anxiety, get some fresh air or learn a little about yourself.
Think about it this way: your mental health is not benefiting if the idea of having a hobby or sticking to a particular hobby is causing you stress. Instead, I invite you to take a more intuitive approach: what activity do you feel like doing, what do you have space for, what sounds palatable at the moment? I assure you – this counts!
Remember to be gentle with yourself, and enjoy life in your very own way.