I read this question on a Reddit post and it initially made me laugh. At first glance, this statement is counterintuitive. Hobbies are supposed to combat boredom. They are meant to be a release from stress. But what if hobbies are the root of your boredom and stress? Well.....
Hobby Burnout is Real
If you've fallen victim to hobby burnout, you may be eligible for a break. Often, we make ourselves feel ashamed for stepping away from our hobbies because we've devoted time and money to them. As a hobby collector myself, I've experienced burnout lately because of the time and energy it takes to jump into a new project. These are not two ingredients I have readily available for the recipe.
Now I'm Actually Bored
After days of not touching a single hobby, the boredom begins to settle in. Boredom soon turns into guilt because I'm not being creative enough or active enough. My mind reels as I wonder if I'll be stuck in a rut forever.
If you can relate, I've got some good news: occasional boredom is good for us! A 2013 study from the University of Lancashire, found that boredom inspires creativity. When you free your mind from external stimuli, you have space to daydream, think of possible solutions to a problem in your life, or even spark a million-dollar idea.
Tips on Hobby Breaks and Boredom
So you've allowed yourself to take a shameless hobby break, what will you do with your boredom?
1. Go Touch Grass!
Sometimes when you're bored, it is easy to revert to endlessly scrolling through social media or binging the newest trashy reality dating show (totally not a personal anecdote). Now, I'm not trying to lecture you on how you should spend your boredom (this is also a reminder for myself) but for the good of your mental and physical health, STEP AWAY FROM THE SCREEN!
If your capacity for continuing your hobbies is at its absolute limit, physical activity will give you a much-needed dose of endorphins to keep your mind and body strong. Simply taking a walk outside and being present in the real world can turn your boredom into inspiration.
2. Re-evaluate what sounds fun to you:
If you've accumulated more hobbies than menu items at the Cheesecake Factory, it's time to reassess what actually brings you joy. If you're avoiding certain hobbies because they don't serve their purpose in your life anymore, it's time to lighten your load. Make a list of all the hobbies you've started and circle the top 2 or 3 you want to focus on.
Have a collection of hobby supplies just gathering dust? Consider donating, selling, or posting your materials to a hobby exchange site. The subreddit r/craftexchange is a platform for crafters to trade materials. Maybe you want to get into knitting but have a bunch of jewelry supplies you don't need. Trading with a fellow crafter who will get good use from your unused items will keep them out of landfills and free up a little space in your home.
3. Think of what you're doing now and revise:
So you've made your shortlist of hobbies but still can't find the motivation to pick them up again. Revising how you interact with your hobbies can jumpstart your passion for them again. Here are some examples:
You've been learning how to play an instrument but your progress is hitting a wall so you stop playing. Consider learning more about music theory or creating playlists of your favorite songs. By reframing your hobby you might find a new one or be inspired to apply some of these new experiences to your old hobby.
Your problem might be a lack of motivation in starting a project from 0. The big, white, empty canvas is anxiety-inducing for even the most creative people. So what can you do? The answer is to upcycle. Upcycling works by taking unwanted items and making them wantable again. An example of this is the trend of overpainting on art found at a thrift stores or garage sales. Dave Pollot's art (see right) shows his entertaining interpretation of overpainting. Other applications of upcylcing: a seamstress who makes a skirt out of a pair of Goodwill-bound jeans or a jewelry maker who takes a necklace that is sooo 2016 and reworks it to make it trendy again. The possibilities just take a little imagination.
Conclusion
We've all got lives to live that come with daily responsibilities, tasks, and stressors. While we should make time for hobbies, they should never make your life harder. There is no shame in taking a break from activities. Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing for our mental health and that's ok. Always remember that hobbies are like lifelong friends; no matter how much time has passed, they will always be there for you to pick right back up.
Follow my blog and my socials for even more helpful posts on how to find your perfect hobby and more!
-Julie C.
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