In this crazy time I realize now, more than ever, that having hobbies will help keep you sane. I’ve had to really dive deeper in me to bring out my favorite hobbies.
In doing my hobbies more, I’ve learned more about myself. What really sets my soul on fire. How I handle stress. How I feel love. All of these things that I seemed to forget about myself.
My Favorite Hobbies
Dance. When I dance I feel free. It brings me back to a much simpler time when life was easier. I remember when I dance how amazing I am. My self-love/self-talk begins to increase. I feel better about myself when the music turns on and my body dances to its song.
I used to be in dance every day. Practice, practice and more practice. So much of my time was used from dance. But I loved it, it never got old. The friendships i made, made school fun.
When I graduated and real life seemed to hit, my time for dance vanished. Before long I wasn’t dancing throughout my day and my desire to dance fell apart. A few weeks ago on my journey to find myself again, I knew dance was first on my list.
I went out with my husband and we danced together. It was the most free I’ve felt in a long time. I noticed my mood increased dramatically as I got in my rhythm again. A talent I thought I had lost after years of putting it on a shelf, came back instantly.
The whole way home I smiled. I realized the importance of taking out time for things that you love. It’s worth it, I promise. Put that meeting on hold, your laundry can wait, and the dishes will be fine to sit another few hours. It’s okay to take time for you.
Reading. Reading used to never be a love for me. It was much more of a hate. The older I’ve gotten the more I appreciate the simplicity of reading. My mind gets to breathe and my body rests. It’s a form of relaxation my body has been craving without me knowing, until now.
I can’t sit and read for hours, but even 30 minutes sets my day ahead. I finish reading ready to take on the world again. I feel more confident and as if my cup is full again. I challenge you to take time out of your day, even 10 minutes and read. Notice how your body and mind feel after.
Bike rides. As a kid the only place you’d find me was on a bike. All day, everyday, hours, upon hours, I was on my bike. I look at pictures of myself as a kid and notice how tan I was. Being outside on my bike was freeing. It was the ultimate stress release.
This summer I got my bike out again and quickly fell in love with it all over again. I could push myself as hard as I wanted. I love listening to mellow folk radio on Pandora on my bike rides.
It eases me from the stress I face daily. It centers me and by the end of the ride, I feel like my true self again. The world gets erased from my soul and I am happy being exactly who I want to be.
I challenge each of you to find your hobbies again. Take the time to discover yourself again. Take it down to the basics and find what sets your soul on fire.
All my love on your journey,
Talesha