If you’re anything like me, college has made your relationship with hobbies very complicated. On one hand, I’ve learned a lot about myself and the kinds of hobbies I want to pick up, but I’ve also neglected any hobbies I had prior to college. With heaps of schoolwork due every week, it’s hard to motivate yourself to try something new in your free time. It’s much easier to spend hours rotting in bed than focusing what little energy you have left on a daunting task. But picking up a new hobby or restarting an old one doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some tips to building a healthy relationship with your hobbies!
- Start small
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For me, the biggest thing that keeps me from trying something new is that I’m scared to be bad at it. If I add another hobby to my ever-growing list of potentials but never actually put in any effort to pick it up, I can just blame my lack of time and not my lack of skill. But, it’s unrealistic to expect that I’d be an expert immediately after starting something. Practice makes perfect, so go easy on yourself and set fair expectations. Start with beginner-friendly skills, and gradually build your expertise.
- Be flexible with your goals
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Don’t put pressure on yourself to meet a deadline. I’m a goal-oriented person so I understand how goal-setting can help with accountability, but when done right, a hobby should be a form of self-care. Forcing yourself to work on your hobby for a certain amount of time or until you reach a predetermined point turns it into a chore and takes out the fun. Setting strict goals for yourself can increase your stress instead of managing it. Instead, visualize an end result but only work on it when you want to—you’ll reach your goal at a pace that works for you.
- reward yourself
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If you need a little push to get started, promising yourself a reward afterwards is great motivation. I’m sure we all love our “little treats,” such as our favorite coffee after going to a class we hate. Although the intention is to not hate your hobby, giving yourself a reward is a great way to encourage yourself, regardless of the progress you make. You can think of this as positive reinforcement—if you condition yourself to associate your hobby with reward, you’ll be more likely to stick with it. In the long run, this can help incorporate a hobby into your routine.
- look for inspiration
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You can find inspiration in other people within your hobby but also pay attention to things from your own life that inspire you. If you need help, go on Pinterest and make a mood board associated with all the reasons you want to pick up this hobby. Don’t be afraid to romanticize a little; looking up playlists associated with the vibe of your hobby can help put you in the right headspace and provide an ambiance that will allow you to focus.
- surround yourself with like-minded individuals
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A great benefit to being in college is you have plenty of resources to explore your interests. See if there’s a class or a club on campus that will help you meet people with similar interests so you can motivate and help each other. If you are unable to do this, an alternative is finding YouTube videos or podcasts about your hobby to simulate the experience. For example, if you’re looking to take up painting, find “paint with me” videos to play in the background as you work.
- change your scenery
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Chances are, at some point your hobby will involve you stepping out of your comfort zone, so take this in stride and don’t stay in the familiarity of your bedroom. Changing your surroundings allows you to be more creative and open to new experiences. Break free from the monotony of your routine—a new place means a fresh start and the perfect opportunity to try something different.
Taking the first step towards trying a new hobby or getting reacquainted with an old one can seem overwhelming, but breaking it down into small steps with high reward will help you grow to love your hobby! Remember, school is important, but so is your mental health. Take time for yourself and do something you’ve been wanting to do. Good luck!