Hobbies can take you away from your normal life. Reducing stress is just one of the many benefits. You can also add to your education in a fun, exciting way!
Explore what’s out there and find a hobby, or even a few, you enjoy.
Steps
1. Explore.
Check out the possibilities in the supplement listed below.Choose one you’d like to try from the list or discover your own from your individual interests. Find something you like . . . or maybe more than one if you’re more ambitious.
2. Traditional research.
Go to the library and check out a book or two. Start in the kids’ section as the material presented here is easier to grasp when you’re starting a new hobby.
3. Online research.
Go to your favorite search engine and do a search for your hobby. You can also check out the following types of sites:
- Teacher lesson plans
- Kid / parent activity sites
- Homeschooling sites
- Vendor / supplier sites
4. Take classes.
Check out one or more of the following to get current information on your chosen hobby:
- Local hobby / craft stores
- Local experts
- Museums — art / history / science
- Parks — local / state / national
- Community / interest groups
- Meetups / events
- Online webinars / workshops
- Online vendors
This will give you some basic information, a teacher for questions and a group of like-minded individuals to join.
5. Practice.
The nature of your chosen hobby may lead you to do it alone or in a group. Some will allow you do both. Do not discount online groups as well as those that meet locally. Some may cost money such as a scrapbooking consultant who will teach you scrapbooking at no cost, but you have to pay for the representative’s products to participate.
6. Show.
Show what you have learned to friends and family. Answer the following questions.
- Why did you choose this hobby?
- Do you plan on learning more?
- Is it what you expected?
- What did you like / didn’t like about it?
- How can you share your experiences with others?
7. Share.
Share your new hobby with other enthusiasts locally or online. Find out even more information as well.
- Web groups — Yahoo! / Google / Facebook / Instagram
- Local individuals
- Formal or informal groups
- Vendors / suppliers
8. Teach.
Turn your hobby into a training session for other adults, teach it to kids or even family members who show an interest. Be sure to make it easy to understand so those learning your hobby aren’t frustrated.
9. Start a club.
Sharing your hobby not only expands your knowledge, you also can have fun with others sharing similar interests. Each of you can share your unique perspective and knowledge. Find a local or online club / group that also enjoys your chosen hobby. Join and participate. If you cannot find one, start your own!
10. Hobby to career.
Some people enjoy their hobby so much they make it a successful career. Writing about your hobby, providing supplies / resources or even teaching can provide either supplemental or full income. Explore the possibilities of how you can make money from your hobby.
11. Create a hobby.
Perhaps you find you like more than one hobby. You can create a new one from combining things you already like to do. You can also create one from scratch if there is no hobby covering what you like. You may be amazed when others start asking you to share your new hobby.
12. Badge program.
Really enjoy your new hobby? Share it with me and let’s create a badge program to add to the Enrichment Project!
Supplements
SUPP_Hobby Explorer_2in_12up_larajla
- Avery 2” round label printable, 12 up
SUPP_Hobby Explorer_Checklist_larajla
- Badge checklist
SUPP_Hobby Explorer_Possibilities_larajla
- List of hobby possibilities to get you started
Sites to Explore
- www.notsoboringlife.com
- www.discoverahobby.com
- www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Hobby
- www.buzzle.com/articles/list-types-of-hobbies
- lifestyle.iloveindia.com/magazine/hobby-ideas-7.html
- www.ehow.com/hobbies
- www.hobbies-and-pastimes.com
- lifezap.com/8-easy-ways-find-new-hobbies
- freeintenyears.com/frugal-tips/100-cheap-hobbies
- www.mydomaine.com/hobby-ideas
- hobbylark.com/misc/How-to-Choose-a-Hobby
- www.artofmanliness.com/2016/01/25/the-ultimate-list-of-hobbies-for-men-75-ideas-for-your-free-time
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here > Full badge PDFs