Take a minute to think about a hobby of yours that you have actively pursued in the last month.
Am I the only one that is struggling to think of that hobby?
Unless I want to consider things like doing laundry and helping the kids with their homework as a hobby, I am not sure that I can tell you when the last time was that I actively pursued one of my hobbies.
What Is A Hobby?
Before going too much further, it may be worthwhile to discuss the definition of a hobby.
Taking a look at Wikipedia, we see the definition of a hobby as:
…a spare-time recreational pursuit. Hobbies are practiced for interest and enjoyment, rather than financial reward.
This is a pretty good definition of what constitutes a hobby, although each person will likely have their own slightly unique interpretation.
As an example, my own interpretation of this definition is that a hobby is an activity that I pursue beyond the time I spend with my family. While some may consider an activity such as playing with the kids as a hobby, I consider that to be an integral part of my life and that takes precedence over my hobbies.
The reason that I mentioned not knowing when the last time I pursued one of my hobbies, such as riding my motorcycle, is because I’ve been spending my time outside of work trying to enjoy the last bit of summer with my family.
Why Are Hobbies Important?
As nice as it sounds to have a hobby, there are times when it seems like you just don’t have enough time in the day to pursue a hobby. Does that mean you should just ignore your hobbies?
Absolutely not!
Hobbies are a very important part of your life and can bring a great deal of enjoyment and help keep your body and mind strong. Consider the following potential benefits of having a hobby in your life:
- Meet new people. Depending on your hobby, you may have the opportunity to meet new people and with the importance of networking this is always a good thing.
- Reduce stress. When you take time to involve yourself in an enjoyable activity, you will find that you often lose track of your worries and live in the moment.
- Have fun. Life is too short to always be worrying about work or other concerns. Hobbies provide an opportunity to laugh, get a little crazy and recharge.
As you think about the hobbies that you enjoy, be sure to make an effort to set aside a little time each day, each week or each month to pursue your hobby.
Today I will be making the time to enjoy one of my hobbies and there is a good chance that as you are reading this post, I’ll be cruising down the road on my motorcycle!