Adulting Series: Finding New Hobbies

When we reminisce about our childhood and the moments where we found the most joy, those memories often include playing sports, painting, learning something new, being part of a team activity, reading or writing – all things that our younger selves did just because they were fun. Adulthood can be hard, and as more time is spent working and trying to get through adult life, we tend to lose that sense of fun. There’s pressure to always be working. Anything you do in your free time should be monetized or productive rather than for your own enjoyment or fulfillment. But that is just boring, exhausting, and isn’t good for your overall mental or physical wellbeing.   

All work and no play is not fun when we're trying to navigate the adult world. 

It can be difficult to get back into hobbies as an adult. Finding free time can seem impossible and when you take time to think about activities you enjoy outside of work, your mind probably comes up with nothing at all. But at some point, in our adult lives, we find a way back to what made us happy when we were younger, and we should fully embrace that.  

It can be fun to rediscover yourself, to do more of the things that make you happy outside of work, and to relieve you of the pressures of life around you. From music to the arts, to books and physical activities, there are a range of hobbies that you can enjoy, and the best part is that you don’t need to be good at it because you are doing it for yourself and no one else! Professionals agree that learning to let go and investing in something that makes you feel peaceful, joyous, or proud can have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing. 

 “Finding hobbies, you love is a long-term investment in yourself”

– Glamour Magazine. 

According to Science…  

Unlike most areas of adulthood, when we choose to take up a hobby or activity, we release the pressure to perform well, to report to someone else, or to compete with others.  Studies have found that doing something purely for pleasure releases feel-good endorphins and engages your brain’s reward system. You do something you enjoy, feel-good chemicals are released, you feel good about yourself, and that is the reward.  

In addition to this, a 2023 study found that adult participants with hobbies (such as gaming, gardening, creative crafts, fitness, and volunteering) reported a positive change in mood, fewer feelings of depression, and overall improvement in mental and physical well-being. On the other hand, those who experienced signs of anxiety or depression were less likely to be engaged in activities or hobbies.   

What Hobbies Can Do for You 

• Fulfillment outside work & relieve stress. 
  There is a large group of adults who aren’t working in industries that they love. With the pressures of society to hustle and make money, a lot of adults are just working for the paycheck but, finding a hobby can provide a sense of self-fulfilment and relieve stress from everyday life. It’s something that can bring you joy outside of work that is just for you.  

• A positive way to spend time alone.
  For all the introverts out there or people who just need time alone, doing something that brings you joy or peace is a great way to reconnect with yourself and calm your mind.  

• Allows you to connect with a community that has the same interests.  
  Professionals agree that going to classes, meeting new people, and finding friends with similar interests can help keep you socially connected and fight feelings of isolation and loneliness.  

• Keeps our inner child alive 

• Encourages creation and imagination 

• Reminder to live in the present moment  

Finding Your Hobby  

1. Connect with your inner child and think back to all the things that you loved to do as a child. What did your younger self enjoy or wish that they could do but maybe couldn’t at the time?   

2. Find resources that are around you. 
   Look for classes at your local gym, art, and pottery classes, tutors for something you would love to learn more about, or just tag along with your friends and join them in doing one of their hobbies. Getting out and finding out what is available around you will help you to discover something new. 

3. You don’t have to do it alone. 
   If you are nervous about starting something new, then do it with a friend. If your hobby has a social aspect to it, then take a friend along with you to ease your nerves and make the activity more enjoyable.   

4. It’s okay to do it alone. 
   Don’t be put off by the idea of doing something on your own. If you are someone who needs time alone or enjoys your own company, then find a hobby that takes you away from all the noise and stress of the outside world. Use that time to reconnect with yourself and do something just for you. How you spend that time is totally up to you! 

5. Hobbies aren’t that serious. 
   Whatever your hobbies are, they are there for your own passion and enjoyment, so don’t worry if you aren’t good at something, or you don’t get it right away because it’s just for fun. On the other hand, it's okay if you try something and decide that it isn’t for you. Take your time, discover what you like and what brings you peace, and if you quit halfway through, then that is okay, don’t be hard on yourself. It is really not that serious. It’s all for fun and a part of discovering yourself. 

Note: Hobbies aren’t a stand-in for professional medical treatment or advice. But for many, discovering new hobbies can lead to improved quality of life, mental well-being, and physical health and positively impact how we view and spend time with ourselves.