George K.
Our wellbeing should be everyone’s priority, and still, so many of us choose to neglect it for a variety of reasons. Wellbeing can be somewhat of an abstract concept, and while everyone would like to feel alive and fulfilled, not everyone knows how to get there. Some are trying to find ways to enhance their wellbeing, but are choosing activities that are only making things worse.
However, one of the ways that you could increase your sense of wellbeing would be to take up a hobby. Hobbies can be as varied as the people practicing them, and they have tons of benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. Let’s take a look at a few ways having a hobby benefits your wellbeing.
You Can Start Building a Social Circle
One of the reasons people feel a lack of wellbeing is because they feel a disconnection from the rest of society. But by taking up a hobby, you could end up building a community with likeminded people from all over the world. This could be around a cult video game that you like, interests like bird watching or wildlife in general, or quirky interests like Japanese animation.
You could start collecting anime figurines and join groups in your community, for instance. Many highly sought-after Nendoroid figures can be found online, and you could end up building an interesting collection for yourself. Being able to connect with people who have the same interest as you, no matter how obscure or geeky you think it is, will allow you to bond and start making friends with whom you’ll actually be able to mesh.
Gain a Sense of Control
When we look at it, there is very little in life we have total control over. Even for those who get to work in a field they love, they still have to answer to superiors, meet deadlines, and have little say on what their professional direction will be.
However, with a hobby, you get to retreat into your own little world and have full control over what you’re going to do. You can progress at your own rhythm and keep moving onto more and more complicated projects. You can choose when you’re going to do it, how much you’re going to spend on it, and have no one to answer but you for the quality of your work – that’s what you call freedom.
You’ll Feel Accomplished
Some motivation gurus propose that you should get into the habit of completing small tasks every single day if you want to get out of a rump. With a hobby, you’ll get to experience a feeling of accomplishment every time you finish a project. Not only that, but this can be something you could generate an extra income from, or that could be useful to you. This will make it even more fulfilling.
As you continue practicing your hobby, you will see continuous improvement in your work. There’s something special about thinking of doing something, conceptualizing it, and making it a reality. It’s even better when it’s a passion project, as the journey will be the main prize, not the end result.
You might also gain a sense of purpose out of your work. Whether you decide to give your life to a cause, learn an art, or develop a skill, pursuing what we truly love feels our lives with meaning. Being able to constantly improve and better yourself is just the cherry on top.
As you can see, having a hobby can benefit your wellbeing in a wide number of ways. The most important thing is finding something that fits with your personality and that you can do in your free time without interfering with your obligations.
