Now that the winter doldrums have set in with a vengeance,
it might be time for you to get off the couch and start a hobby.
Ideally, you might want to pick a hobby that will have you
moving. What do I mean about a hobby with movement? Well, photography can
involve you going out to take pictures and moving around to get the right shots.
Bird watching is another hobby that involves you getting out and moving to see
the birds. Perhaps you are a car enthusiast.
There are car shows all around and you can go, walk around to look at the cars and talk to the owners. Find
out more about the car and then you may find other outlets where the car people
get together.
![]() |
Photo by Peter Mazurek |
Art and craft shows also provide a chance to get out, walk
around, and talk to people. The craft people are there to sell, of course, but
they are also willing to tell you about how they do what they do. You may just
find a new hobby from attending the shows.
Maybe you took up running for exercise this year. Join a
running club. You not only will meet people to urge you on but they also can
help you with tips to help your running. The support will help you keep up with
the sport.
While some might say that a belly dancing class or a tai chi
class is an exercise class, it is also a learning experience. There is a lot to
learn and remember in each of these classes.
Expand your mind and shrink yourself!
There are so many different hobbies and there are groups for
each. Maybe you like to read. That is great but wouldn’t it also be fun to meet
and talk about the books you read? You can check out your local library or
senior center to see if there is a book club. Ask at your local bookstore. If
they don’t have one, maybe you could organize one for them. Or start a book club
yourself. You may find that your local
coffee shop will be happy to let you use their space – especially at an off
peak time.
How about pottery or jewelry making? Check out your local
community center or art center and see what they offer. Maybe you would be able
to make next year’s Christmas gifts.
Why and I talking about hobbies? One of my hobbies is
quilting. I have found that when I am working on a quilt, I am absorbed and
tend not to eat. My hands and mind are busy. (I can’t eat while I am doing it!)
It is good for my mind to keep busy and not just sit and watch TV.(Where it is
easy to eat while you are watching.) Also,
there are groups that I can join that not only would give me a chance to meet
new people but also get help in advancing my skills.
People, in general, love to share their hobbies. It gives
you a chance to be more engaged with people and feel good about the knowledge gained.
![]() |
Photo by Robert Linder |
So, are you sitting there thinking that you have no idea of
a hobby that might interest you? Well, you can take a look at your local
community center class list or maybe your local community college list. I know
that our local community college has non-credit classes that teach on lots of
topics from computer skills to photography to drawing. You could sign up for a
class and in the class you will see if you like the hobby and then also be able
to connect with others so that when the class is through, you can continue with
the hobby.
Also, I have found an umbrella organization called “Meetup”.
(www.meetup.com) Groups sign up and are listed in a weekly email. All members
of Meetup receive the email to let them know about the meetings for the coming
week. You can also sign up to attend the meeting through the email. For
example, this week there is a group for people who like craft beers to meet and
talk, a group of people who like to play games, a beading night, a knitting
group, a writing critique group, a reading group, a chamber musicians group, a
techie group, and a Mom’s group. Last week, there were completely different
groups meeting all around town.
Silent Sam told me last night that he read that most people
give up on their New Year’s Resolutions by January 17. Let’s start something
new on January 17th. How
about trying a new hobby? I would love to hear if you do, so please let me know.
You can find me on twitter - @the9inchplate or on Facebook at The 9 Inch
Plate or as always you can comment below.
Thanks for reading!
Don't miss a post on this blog! You can sign up in at the top to receive an email each time there is a post. I PROMISE not to use you email for anything else!
No comments:
Post a Comment