By Morgan Goddard, Assistant Editor
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a slight obsession with soap-making. Experimenting with different ingredients and making new bars of soap is something I really enjoy doing. I’ve also made some money out of it.
However, making soap is mostly a means of entertainment; a hobby. Having a hobby is something I believe is important for everyone.
A hobby can provide you with a creative outlet that you might not get every day. Hobbies give you something in your life that’s just for you that can help you forget your daily problems, unwind after a hard day, and give you a lot of pleasure.
If you can find like-minded people in your area, an outside pursuit can also be a great way to meet new people and experience new adventures, whether that’s taking on a new trail or going to a knitting convention. Although we live in an age of many social media apps and websites, we as a society actually are not very social. Hobbies give a great opportunity to interact with others.
Of course everyone is different, and personality does play a role in what sorts of hobbies you may or may not like. If you don’t have a lot of patience, you might feel that quilting might be too much for you, so exploring quick sewing projects might be a better choice.
Maybe you really like hanging out with friends, or have an interest that you can do with a group. For example, my dad really enjoys restoring antique cars with his dad, brothers, and friends. This not only provides a way for them to pass the time, but it also gives them time to be together and form stronger family ties and friendships.
For some who travel constantly, a portable hobby that you can do anywhere is helpful, whereas if you’re a homebody, you might love to be surrounded by a cool collection.
The truth is, you may not hit the perfect activity for you in the beginning, but half the fun of hobbies is trying new things and exploring what’s out there. I know that after trying to crochet that it definitely wasn’t for me, but I still had fun learning about it!
A failed hobby is never a waste of your time. Do some web searches, visit the library, don’t be afraid to try new things, and soon you’ll have a hobby that provides you with a lot of fun and stress relief, too.
