It is a new year which means new interests and hobbies! Over the past couple of years, I have added new hobbies into my life to sharpen my creativity and improve my brain function. 

There are many I still keep in my hobby rotation and others that just were not for me. But the best part of a hobby is that you don’t have to stick with it forever, you just have to try it. Who knows, you could find your  hidden talent! Here are a few of my favorite hobbies I have adopted over the years.

Crocheting

This is one of my most recent hobbies I have adopted. I gaslighted myself for years telling myself it was too hard and I wouldn’t figure it out. One day, I decided to ignore it and I went out and bought myself everything I needed to get started.

Since I was not exactly sure what I wanted to crochet, I decided to buy a variety and go from there! I bought yarn in different colors and grabbed a crochet hook kit and a pattern book for inspiration! 

The one thing I did not know I needed but was so happy I grabbed was a crochet counter – included in the crocheting kit. Even though it is a repetitive pattern, sometimes I’ll get into a groove and have no idea what number I am on. Definitely a time saver.

I’m excited to share how my creations turn out!!

Pottery

I started taking pottery class around the middle of 2022 and it was such a great experience, I can not recommend it enough! It is another one of those crafts I never thought I would be able to do. I’m so happy I decided not to listen to myself and try it anyway.

I suggest taking a class with a professional if you are a visual learner like me. Not to mention, they have all the equipment you need already. If you’d rather teach yourself or take a Masterclass, you will need a few things to get started.

A good pottery wheel is a must! The pottery is only as good as the equipment that spins it. The same goes for the clay you use. You need sturdy clay that can handle some wear and tear.

I hope you have as much fun making beautiful creations as I did! *Cue that scene from Ghost*

Journaling

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: add journaling to your daily life ASAP! I’m telling you, it is so therapeutic to get everything you are feeling onto paper. In my own experience, talking about how I’m feeling helps alleviate some of my anxiety and makes me feel a little better. 

However, sometimes you just do not want to talk about it with another person. That is where journaling comes in! Writing down how I am feeling has the same effect on my feelings of anxiety or stress or any feeling honestly. That being said, I am not saying this is a cure all for anxiety, stress, depression or any mental illness. It is just a healthy, therapeutic practice to help out!

Puzzles

There is nothing better than a good puzzle! If I need a break from social media, work or just life in general, puzzles are my go-to activity. I even have a cute little table dedicated to my puzzles that I work on throughout the week. 

Not to mention, puzzles are great for the brain! Studies show that puzzle solving helps with brain function, like short-term memory and problem solving. Whether it is an intense, 1K-piece puzzle or a simple 250-piece puzzle, try one out for yourself and see if they help your stress and anxiety levels decrease!

Blogging

You do not need much to start this hobby; just time, patience and a love for writing. I started blogging a few years ago and it has definitely changed my life. I started blogging just for myself, but it turned into something other people wanted to read too!

I am glad I did it that way because it has stayed a therapeutic practice the entire journey. It may sound really time consuming or scary, your thoughts, passions or experiences may benefit someone else.

Let’s all take this year and fill it with new experiences and hobbies!