How to Choose a Hobby
Written by EmilyHaving a hobby can be good for you. Bill Malone (MSW) explains that hobbies can help battle stress and depression, have been shown to prevent or reduce memory loss, and can even help with arthritis. If you don’t already have a hobby you enjoy, here are some tips in finding one:
1. Choose Social or Solitary. Do you spend your days dealing with people, in a crowded work environment, or do you just find that you want some time by yourself? Choose a hobby that is solitary–woodworking, photography, fixing cars, or gardening. On the other hand, if you are stuck in a cubicle on a computer all day, or long for adult conversation after taking care of children, you will probably want a hobby that gives you a chance to be with other people–playing games or cards, a dinner group or a book club. Even if you have a solitary hobby, it’s easy to find a way to make it social. Perhaps you enjoy painting–you can take a class. Or you can volunteer to teach others.
2. Choose an interest. It makes sense to choose a hobby that you are naturally interested in or have a passion for. You may also consider trying something that others are interested in. I found that when I quit my job to stay home with our son, my hobbies didn’t match my new social circle. Not many of my friends who are stay-at-home moms enjoy managing web sites or building databases. I’ve tried my hand at new hobbies to create common ground–some are not for me (scrapbooking). But others I’ve really come to enjoy (gardening).
3. Don’t just spend money, make money. Almost all hobbies will cost money. Memberships, materials, equipment, classes, lessons–it can be expensive. The best way to defray hobby expenses is to find a way to turn your hobby into a money-maker. Sell your fresh fruits and veggies at a farmer’s market, teach your skill (art, music, etc.), post photos on www.istockphoto.com, or become expert enough to be a judge and get paid to give your opinion! With a little creativity, most hobbies can bring in a little money.
Right now, I have a bunch of hobbies that I switch between. I run a book club, enjoy square-foot gardening, am part of a dinner group, sew, and sell MaryKay. My book club and dinner group cost me money, but I’m saving on fresh produce by having a garden, I sell tote bags that I sew, and I make a little money as I deliver little pink packages.
What is your hobby, and have you found a way to make money with it?
Resources:
Candice Z Watters The Benefits of Family Hobbies
Gabryal Benefits of Digital Photography as a Hobby
Elizabeth Scott Great Hobbies for Stress Relief
Posted in General | 4 Comments »
July 19th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Thanks for the post – I am new to this site, visited a few times when I was in a FPU workshop because I googled it but just now getting to begin reading.
Emily, I have been longing for a hobby since giving up my position as a sales director of 7 years with Mary Kay… I just can’t really decide what I’d like to do. I already work full-time but want something to do with just me. Maybe I’ll try the scrapbooking thing. Again, thanks for the info.
July 21st, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Many years ago, when i was struggling, i did not have a hobby. I found myself less creative even though i’m fairly good at doing things with my hands.
I made some lampshades for our house a few years agoa using quality paper rather than buy ready made lampshades. It saved us a few hundred and our home have unique deco.
Now to keep my creative juices running, I write a blog. It is a cheap hobby, makes me a bit of money instead of spending money. It certainly is a great idea if a person’s hobby make them some money.
ed
August 1st, 2007 at 2:10 pm
That;s interesting, I never thought about hobby that way.
-JB
http://investment.nodblog.com/
October 16th, 2007 at 4:40 am
Good article! I have been thinking of a hobby for some time, but I have faced a great problem – ther are too many things that I’m interested in…. I just can’t choose a one, so I just shift from one thing to another.