Do you have a hobby? Are you looking to start a new one? Do you want to be more creative this year? Maybe you set a goal to be more active or to learn something new. Then you are in luck because January is National Hobby Month. Starting a new hobby or picking up an old one again may be just what you need this year.
Hobbies are good for us. They can build self-esteem. This is especially true if other areas of our life are bringing us down. When we are successful at a hobby, it picks us up. It gives us an outlet. Hobbies can make us be more social and meet new people. Sharing our activities with other people helps us feel cared for and part of something bigger than ourselves. Hobbies can make us more active, both physically and mentally. They can increase our physical health and our mental capacities. This can also also help us stay young. Hobbies can make us more knowledgeable. Learning can and should be a lifelong process. Last, but not least, hobbies give us something to share with others. And sharing is always a good idea.
Another piece of good news about hobbies is that there is a hobby out there to suit everyone. Maybe you’re the collector type (stamps, coins, antiques, fountain pens, postcards). Maybe you’re the crafty type (knitting, crocheting, paper crafts, jewelry making). Perhaps the great outdoors call your name (hiking, geocaching, biking, bird watching). Maybe you prefer being even more physical (long-distance running, triathlons, body building). Perhaps you prefer a quiet life of the mind (reading, writing, crosswords, meditation). Are you really artistic (painting, photography, glass blowing) or wish you were? Or maybe you like to do many things. Whatever your interest, there is a hobby for you.
I have several hobbies. They tend to be in the creative vein. I LOVE my bullet journal. This hobby has lead me to a collection of pens and washi tape. Because I feel slightly (only slightly) guilty about the amount of ink and tape I own, I have tried other crafts to use my supplies. I try (poorly) to work on my hand lettering. I made a washi tape wreath (see it here). Because I love getting snail mail, I joined Postcrossing.com (see this post). And I never stop reading. In 2016, I met my goal of reading 50 books and then surpassed it by 25 more. I also blog, in case you hadn’t noticed.
This year, I will continue with my bullet journal, postcrossing, reading, and blogging. But I am always on the lookout for something fun and new to try. I got a candle making kit for Christmas, and I started making bath bombs and homemade lotions with essential oils for gifts. So there are two new ideas to pursue.
50 Hobbies For Nearly Every Interest
Are you ready to start a new hobby? I’ve created a list of 50 to get you started. There are hundreds are hobbies to try, so if one of these doesn’t spark your imagination, keep looking until you find the perfect hobby for yourself. Or maybe two or three.
Whatever hobby you choose, I hope it makes 2017 a healthier and happier year for you and yours. Happy New Year! And Happy Hobbying!
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