There’s something about modern life that feels a little too much, isn’t there? The endless notifications, the to-do lists that breed like rabbits, the pressure to optimize every waking moment. If you’re not working on your career, your relationships, your fitness, or your personal brand (eye roll), then what are you even doing with your life?
Well, here’s a thought: maybe—just maybe—you should be doing something for no other reason than the fact that it makes you happy.
That’s where hobbies come in.
Hobbies: Not Just for Grandmas and Hipsters
Somewhere along the way, we started treating hobbies like a luxury instead of a necessity. As kids, we were all about them. We painted, played, collected weird rocks, and spent entire afternoons convinced we were going to be famous singers, authors, or archaeologists. And then adulthood hit, and suddenly we had to “grow up” and be “productive” (double eye roll).
But here’s the thing—hobbies aren’t just for kids, or retired people with knitting needles, or hipsters who suddenly take up pottery. They’re for everyone. And if you’ve been running on empty, feeling burnt out, or just a little meh about life, a hobby might be exactly what you need.
The Science Backs It Up (Because Of Course It Does)
If you’ve ever felt deeply at peace while doodling in a notebook, making a terrible sourdough starter, or playing the same three chords on a guitar, there’s a reason for that. Hobbies reduce stress, lower anxiety, and even protect against depression. Studies have shown that engaging in creative or hands-on activities can help regulate emotions, improve focus, and give your brain a much-needed break from being a responsible adult.
Even better? Hobbies trigger something psychologists call flow state—that magical place where you’re so absorbed in an activity that time disappears and your brain gets a little vacation from the overthinking and worrying. It’s like meditation but with more action and fewer awkward silences.
Hobbies Keep You Sane (And Give You Something to Talk About Other Than Work)
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been at a social event and realized that the only thing you talk about anymore is work, bills, or how tired you are. (Guilty.)
A hobby is an antidote to that. It gives you something to look forward to that isn’t tied to making money, proving yourself, or achieving anything at all. It’s just for you. It’s proof that your worth isn’t measured by how much you produce, but by how much you live.
So, How Do You Find a Hobby?
If you’re sitting there thinking, Well, that’s great, but I don’t even know what I like anymore, you’re not alone. Here’s how to get started:
1. Revisit What You Loved as a Kid – Did you spend hours sketching dragons? Maybe drawing is your thing. Loved building LEGO sets? Try woodworking, DIY projects, or even puzzles.
2. Try Something That Sounds Fun, Not Something You Think You Should Do – If yoga sounds like torture but dancing around your kitchen excites you, go with that.
3. Start Small – A hobby doesn’t need to take over your life. Five minutes of doodling, gardening, or baking counts.
4. Don’t Worry About Being Good at It – If you’re only picking up a hobby because you want to be amazing at it, you’re missing the point. Just let yourself enjoy the process.
5. Experiment – Try a bunch of things. See what sticks. You’re allowed to quit hobbies that don’t bring you joy.
My February Challenge: A Month of New Hobbies
This month, I made it my mission to try new hobbies—things I’ve always wanted to do, things that look fun, and things that seem a little ridiculous but why not? (Head over to our Instagram page @livingfrabeau to see why pickling radishes made the list. It went about as well as you’d expect.)
What about you? What’s something you’ve always wanted to try but never made time for? Let’s make this the month we play again. Because if there’s one thing we all need more of, it’s a little unproductive joy.
Let me know what hobby you’d like to pick up! And if it’s juggling, please send videos.
Much love,
Alice
#NewHobbies #MentalHealthMatters #FebruaryChallenge #FindYourJoy
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