It is perfectly normal to feel like you don’t have a hobby.
You might be incredibly busy with work or school. You might have been focusing on family or personal issues that have swallowed up your free time. You might not have the energy to pursue a hobby. There are a whole host of reasons why you haven’t have had the time or energy to pursue a new or existing hobby.
It’s also important to realise that there are thousands of possible hobbies out there. Just because you don’t have time to pursue a hobby now doesn’t mean that you can’t revisit it later.
Hang on – are you sure you don’t have a hobby already?
Yes, you read that correctly. You might not even realise that you already have a hobby.
For example, listening to music is a hobby. Going for long walks is a hobby. Reading books or watching movies is a hobby. The exact definition of a hobby is ‘an activity done in one’s leisure time for pleasure’ – so as long as you enjoy it, it’s a hobby.
You might have been led to believe that a hobby must take up a set amount of time every week, or requires a certain level of effort to be put in. This is simply not the case – your hobby is what you make it.
If you only have five minutes to spare, that’s fine. If you want to dedicate hours every day to your hobby, that’s great too.
The important thing is that you do something you enjoy in your free time, without stress or pressure.
How to find a new hobby or passion
If you find yourself with more leisure time to pursue a new hobby or passion, it’s always good to do some research first. Here are a few methods you could try to help you discover your new hobby or passion:
Think back to your childhood – were there any hobbies that you enjoyed and miss now? Your childhood can be a great source of inspiration. Talk to friends and family members about their hobbies and you might find something interesting that you never considered before.
Online research – watch videos, check out articles and browse forums. The internet is an incredibly useful tool when searching for new interests. There are also loads of hobby-based communities and forums that will welcome you with open arms! Check out social media platforms like Instagram or Pinterest for inspiration. There are endless ideas to explore on these platforms.
Ask your friends – could you get involved in a new hobby with a friend? After all, hobbies are so much better when done together. You can also be accountable for each other and make sure that you’re committing!
Look for local events and classes – many communities offer free or low-cost classes on various hobbies. These are great opportunities to explore new things without having to commit to anything long term.
Don’t overthink it – it’s important to not force yourself to do anything. If your friends try to pressure you into a certain hobby and you’re just not feeling it, take a step back and reassess. There are so many hobbies and skills out there – don’t settle on one that you’re not enjoying.
What if I don’t have time for a hobby?
As busy millennials, it can be tough to find time for a hobby. That’s perfectly fine. This doesn’t mean that you’ll never be able to pursue a new hobby or skill. You might just be busy at the moment.
When you do have time, there are plenty of hobbies that don’t require a lot of time commitment to get started.
Knitting, crocheting, yoga and painting are all great examples that require minimal investment in kit. Or you could try something like hiking or biking – both of which offer the opportunity to get outdoors.
Final thoughts
One of the key takeaways here is that as long as you enjoy doing something, it can be called a hobby.
Whether you enjoy writing blogs, illustrating, watching TV or cooking meals – it’s a hobby. You don’t have to spend a certain amount of time doing it or reach a certain level of proficiency.
There are no set rules when it comes to hobbies and you don’t have to conform to society’s expectations. Do what makes you happy!
Having trouble committing to a new hobby or skill? Check out our blog on how to commit to a hobby or skill.