The big H word
Words by Joany Badenhorst
12 August 2019
Let’s talk about hobbies…
Have you ever felt incredibly satisfied after finishing a big project? Do you like challenging yourself and solving problems? Or have you ever just taken a moment after something as simple as Finishing a book, appreciating the dedication it took to read front to back? Then you have tapped into some of the few glorious moments hobbies can bring to your life.
I truly believe that Hobbies are essential for a healthy, holistic approach to life. Having a hobby that we enjoy stimulates both the creative and pragmatic sides to our brain and enriches our lives. It gives us something fun to do during our leisure time and allows us the opportunity to learn new skills.
Look, I don’t want to get preachy… But buckle up kids because I’m about to convince you to invest time, effort and love into something new! You are welcome…
Hobbies offer more than just a space filler. By choosing something that you are passionate about, you hone in on new skills, give yourself the opportunity for personal development and reach out to new and sometimes challenging spaces.
The Why
Believe it or not, but hobbies actually help you build relationships and community.
Throughout my high school years, I attended 4 different schools in only 6 years which made it very difficult for me to make friends and build lasting relationships. I spent the first few months of every new school in the library doing school work, just to avoid the disappointment of being “the new girl” again. I hated being alone and feeling like I just didn’t fit in. After a while I realised that I needed to take charge of my situation, if I didn’t want to feel like this anymore, I would have to create an opportunity for making friends in a new and better way. Be Proactive!
One lunch time, I went to my art teacher and asked her what it would take to start a Monday Lunch art class. We organised it and for the first few weeks it was only me and her. The next week someone joined in, and a few after that! Before I knew it, we had 9 students in the class every Monday and I had 9 new people to spend my lunch times with…
Its genuinely not as sad as it sounds… I promise!
I loved art and I knew that my love for it would attract others with similar minds and hearts. So, in creating a new space with something that I loved, I opened up the door for both creativity and socialising to take hold and help guide me through my years at school! The key here was always being proactive… All I needed to do was just take the first step, put myself out there and make space for the things I loved doing.
I’m going to be running with my example of “the Art class” for the rest of the blog so just prepare yourself…
I love art, so just like running, boxing, singing or dancing is to many of you, Art is my stress relief. It gives me the opportunity to focus my energy, negative or positive into something different, something expressive and sometimes, something “not ugly” as my mum would like to say... It was the time of the week that I would look forward to most and because of it, I worked hard in my other subjects to make sure I could always go. It kept me focused on the good and it kept me out of trouble in school!
We spoke about habits in the previous blog, and they are just as key here with hobbies as they are in any other part of your life. By dedicating yourself to something new, something healthy and something challenging, you learn to form good habits that help support your mental, spiritual and social health. This is such an incredible skill that will carry you throughout school and can be very valuable heading into university and life as an adult after!
One thing that my Art hobby class also gave me was confidence.
Look, I don’t want to brag, but my art has been referred to as “nice”, “interesting” and even “abstract” by people other than my teacher and my parent so, I am basically an artist. That’s not the point though, having enough courage to show other people the things you love, risking your pride and ego every now and then, is such and incredible benchmark and it’s where confidence finds a foot hold in your life. Regardless of whether your work is good, your voice will sell records or if you are on a national team for Quidditch (yes, it’s a real sport) by partaking in your chosen hobby, you allow yourself to confidently take on a new chapter in your life.
The What
There are so many hobbies in this world to choose form, where do you start?
Well, whenever I attempt a new hobby I try and look at these three key points;
Choose something that will challenge and encourage you to develop maybe new skills and move out of your comfort zone… Remember, life is all about breaking down those walls that keep you from growing, learning and moving things to work best for you!
Look at the things that might work alongside your passions and your strengths. Find something that will keep you coming back for more.
Choose something that encourages balance in your already stressful life. Make sure that whatever you choose, it’s a hobby that encourages an escape rather than a mental mission.
Now finally, the How?
Just do some research. Reflect on:
The things you love, the things that interest you and most importantly, that you want to carry into your future…
Take a leap of faith and reach out, dive into the deep end! If you don’t do it now, when will you?!
Carpe diem, seize the day and all that jazz.
Good Luck, and may the force be with you!