The joy of hobbies
At The Mindful Psychologist, we prioritise mindful living and encourage our clients to take time and appreciate the here and now. However, we also understand the abundance of external factors that take up our time and energy. So how can we make space for mindful moments in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives?
We can learn from our younger selves by allowing ourselves to do things just because we enjoy doing them.
What is stopping you from spending your time and energy on your hobbies?
If your answer to this question is related to a lack of time, I want you to consider how you can make time for yourself. Rather than focussing on what we can’t do, if we focus on the choices that are within our control, we find life to be a bit more manageable.
If your answer to the question is related to not having a hobby, I want you to spend time thinking about what you enjoy doing. Rather than thinking about what you have to do, think about what you get to do. You’ll be surprised to find that there is a hobby in there somewhere.
No matter what, our hobbies are our passion. They are a representation of our individual selves when we are not required to, but want to do something. Without this, many might define themselves with their occupation or familial status. I’m not telling you that these aren’t important, but I am posing that we are more than what we can offer others; we are also what we offer ourselves. Making time for our passion matters. Here’s why!
Personal growth and fulfilment
Like I said earlier, without our hobbies, we tend to rely on our relationship to others as a label for who we are. We define ourselves with what we offer others rather than who we are when we are alone. Who are you for you?
When we take part in our hobbies, we acknowledge our interests and passions. With regular practice, we grow in the particular activity and improve in something we do for the simple fact that we receive pleasure from it.
Mental stimulation
Our lives are filled with mental stimulation, constantly. Our devices, jobs, social relationships and homes are constant bits of stimuli for our brain. However, these come at the price of stress. Our tasks have deadlines, we use our devices for social media, and we have duties and responsibilities within our social and family circles.
Our hobbies give us mental stimulation without this stress. Rather than doing our hobbies because we have to, we do them because we like to.
Mindfulness
You know by now how important mindfulness is in our day-to-day lives. With a relaxing mental stimulation and personal fulfilment doing something you enjoy, your mind remains in the present, the here and now. Not only does this allow us to take the moment and check-in with ourselves, it also encourages us to check-out of the many stressors of our daily lives.
Our hobbies are incredible gifts. They remind us that we don’t only exist for others, we exist for ourselves as well. I encourage you all to respect your hobbies and find fulfilment in what you enjoy.
Warmest,
Ruchi.