Find You Something to Do

let's talk about interests and hobbies...we're going to need them

“Okay baby, go find you something to do”, as a co-parented only child, my mother kindly spoke these words to me often. As a sometimes overstimulated mother, I imagine this was her go-to when she was tired of being my sole source of entertainment. “Chatty Kathy” as I was called based on a family tale that my eyelids and mouth were attached on a string and when my eyes opened so did my mouth, she probably needed a minute…or three.

As such, I was introduced to self-soothing activities early. Books were my first love then came different forms of crafting, playing games solo, being both characters in my made up scenarios, even talking to myself as needed if I was really into the scene. The point is I learned to enjoy my own company and function with activities that brought me joy at a very young age.

I thought having hobbies was normal, until I became an adult. Never judging, as there are a myriad of reasons why one may not have hobbies, but looking at the state of things, I just want to come here and say I think everyone should explore things until they find something that they enjoy doing, outside of doom scrolling the internet.

Honestly, I don’t think we were meant to have access to so much information, and as a result we are finding ourselves constantly on edge, itching for the next headline. Having creative outlets, making time for the things you enjoy, even if it’s for a few minutes or hours out of the week can do wonders for your mental health, giving you something to look forward to, even if only in small doses at a time.

With truly uncertain times ahead, controlling my joy and peace has been placed at the top of my list. My plan is to try any and everything that feels interesting and fun. Lately I’ve taken up embroidery and it completely quiets my mind in the best way.

If you don’t even know where to begin to find a new hobby here are a few thoughts:

• Look at your Interests: What excites you in life? Think about what you enjoy doing from a creative, social, intellectual and fitness related lens.

• Don’t Worry about Time (it’s going to pass anyway): If you put a puzzle on the table and connect two or three pieces a day, so what. This is your thing and you are on your own time. It may take a month, it could take a year but you’ll feel accomplished once it’s completed.

• Start Small: Begin with simple projects to build momentum.

Take a ballet class, learn pottery, make bread, take a walk, hell, pick up the phone and call a friend instead of texting, there are so many soothing things in the world to do and explore, my heart hopes we all find something that brings us joy in the years to come. We’ll need it.

What are some of your hobbies? How do you actively quiet your mind and find peace in a noisy world?