Gram’s Wisdom 49 Have interests of your own.
My Gram liked to tell me stories about her life during the depression. A widow at 28 years old with 6 children to feed. She would often tell me how grateful she was for her steady job as a waitress. And even as a child, I understood that meant she was busy and on her feet all day.
Many years later when she would relate other stories of those years, she said one of the best parts of the day was after the smallest children were put to bed. This was, she said, a quiet, settled, time when could sew or do a crossword puzzle. She told me there was always so much to be done on any given day. But we owe it to ourselves to take even 5 minutes to do something enjoyable.
In our society today, it's easy to look at what others do and feel like we're inadequate if we don't devote every waking moment to our career or family. Sadly, while this seems truer for women than for men, men are quickly catching up to being overworked like most women these days.
We're told that we should be constantly hurrying to achieve our goals and that taking time for hobbies and other interests is a luxury that we can ill afford. But honestly, well-rounded people understand that taking time for ourselves is fundamental to our overall well-being.
When we neglect our hobbies and interests, we're not only depriving ourselves of enjoyment, but we’re also missing out on valuable opportunities to unwind and refresh. So, the next time you feel guilty for taking a break to do something you enjoy, remind yourself that you're not being lazy – you're taking care of yourself.
The idea of productivity versus the reality of productivity.
The word "productivity" is often heard today. We are told that we need to be productive to be successful. But what does productivity mean? For some people, being productive means maximizing their time and getting as much done as possible. They believe that if they're not in a constant state of movement they're wasting their time.
Others see productivity as a more relaxed state. They feel that if they're getting things done, the time it takes is unimportant. They may take breaks or allow themselves time to enjoy their hobbies and interests. So, which is the correct way to be productive? There is no right or wrong answer. It truly depends on the individual.
There is no exact one-size-fits-all to productivity. It all depends on what works for you. If you're someone who thrives on challenges and feels motivated by meeting deadlines, then a more traditional approach to productivity may suit you. So, experiment until you find something that works for you and run with it.
But if you prefer a more casual approach, that's okay too. There's no need to compel yourself to be something you're not. The important thing is to use your time in a way that feels best for you and who knows, plenty of people have interests that overlap with their work.
Placing a piece of puzzle into a half finished jigsaw puzzle.
You're not obligated to one passion.
While it’s important to be productive, it’s also important to take time for our hobbies and interests.
It’s okay to have many different interests or passion projects over a lifetime. And, it’s okay to change your interests over time. You shouldn’t feel like you must stick to one interest or one hobby. Instead, you should broaden your interests and try new things.
You should never feel that your interests must be justified to others. Nor do you need to prove your interests are worth your time. Your hobbies and interests are important to you, and that’s what counts. It’s important to do things that you enjoy outside of work or other obligations.
While you may not want to pursue too many hobbies at once due to financial and time constraints, you don't have to adhere to just one, and you don't have to make a lifetime commitment. It's okay to pursue one interest for a few months or years and then drop it to do something else.
There are many benefits to having more interests.
Every interest or hobby you have offers benefits beyond what most people perceive as valuable. For example, a hobby or interest costs money and does not make money. And for that reason, some people may feel that it's wasteful.
However, if you have the budget for the hobby or the time for the hobby, and that hobby makes you feel good, the benefits it offers to help you build your self-esteem, feel more confident, and learn new things are also important.
It can be easy to feel guilty for spending time with hobbies or other interests, especially if they don’t directly contribute to your work or productivity. However, here are six benefits to hobbies and interests outside of work.
Hobbies and interests can offer a much-needed break from work and the burn-out it can cause.
They can help us to relax and recharge, which can make us not only more productive but often more creative when we return to work.
Pursuing hobbies or other interests can help us to gain new skills and knowledge to our careers.
Hobbies and interests can assist us to meet new people and form new relationships.
They can also be a great way to cope with stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues.
Pursuing hobbies or other interests can also provide a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
In short, there are many benefits to having hobbies or other interests. So next time you’re feeling guilty for spending time on them, remember all the ways they can improve your life.
You don't owe anyone productivity.
One issue that comes up for some people who want to pursue a hobby or an interest that is new to them is that they begin to feel as if they're not productive enough. They question whether they should be mowing the lawn or working on their side hustle rather than going climbing.
But here’s the thing, it’s valuable to remember that you don’t owe anyone productivity all the time. your whole life is not about productivity. Sometimes your life is just about being and doing something you enjoy. There is value in doing things outside of building work relationships, making money, and being consistent.
Redefine productivity in your mind to be anything beneficial for yourself, not just for others, and not just to add dollars to your bank account. Take the time you need to relax and recharge. You don't need to monetize every interest or hobby to make them worthwhile in your eyes or someone else's.
The value of the hobby or interest may be intangible or something you can name. But the primary thing that a hobby or interest needs to be is something you enjoy that fills you with contentment and not something that adds stress to your life.
My final thought.
Clearly, making time for hobbies or interests means you may have to say no to something else and this can make some people feel bad. However, it is vital to remember that everyone is unique and not everyone will feel this way. It’s also important to remember that making time for hobbies or interests can be a loving source of self-care and can help to improve mental health.
For more information, please read this post.
Five Benefits Of Having A Hobby
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