Rediscover Happiness Through Hobbies

Did you have a hobby when you were younger? How about now, as an adult?

Most likely, your answer is ‘no’. For many people, participating in such leisurely activities as hobbies may be a luxury due to the responsibilities they need to attend to.

However, you should consider changing this. Indeed, these activities may look like a non-productive way to spend your time. However, hobbies can play an important role in helping individuals experience a happy life.

This article will elaborate on the role, barriers, and practical tips for finding or reclaiming hobbies that can re-ignite your spark. So, stay tuned and embark on your journey to rediscover happiness through hobbies.

Why hobbies are essential to happiness

As life gets busier with adulthood, many adults gradually lose touch with their hobbies. Work, family responsibilities, and daily routines usually take center stage, leaving little room (or none at all) for personal interests.

Exactly why does this happen? Here are some factors that contribute to this shift:

Time constraints. Workloads and family duties often lead to less free time for hobbies. For many people, hobbies are a luxury that they don’t have time for.
Technology. The convenience of digital entertainment reduces the likelihood of participating in hands-on or group activities. Many people spend their limited free time on screens rather than engaging in hobbies.
Economic pressure. Some hobbies can be costly and, in turn, discouraging. There is also a recent trend to turn interests into income. Although beneficial in its own way, this trend can also add pressure and offer minimal enjoyment.
Social dynamics. Changes in work environments and social circles can affect group hobbies; it may become inconvenient to join or maintain group activities when people’s schedules don’t align.

Bringing hobbies back into your routine, even in small ways, can provide valuable outcomes. If you ask yourself, “Why would I need a new hobby?”, the answer could be explained by a recent review article. A group of researchers investigated the relationship between hobbies, mental health, and well-being by analyzing 12 studies published between 2014 and 2024.

The findings show that the benefits of hobbies are as follows:

Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression

The findings show that hobbies reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety and mitigate stress. This means that taking up hobbies could be an outlet to relieve your stress and anxiety, as well as a preventive measure from developing depression.

This suggests that having fun with hobbies doesn’t necessarily mean wasting time and being less productive. Given how vital hobbies are for stress relief, mental health, and happiness, it’s important to make time for them. Even more so when life feels busy and stressful.

Creates purpose and satisfaction

Individuals with hobbies are 85% happier than those without hobbies. In fact, 61% of UK adults now use hobbies to boost their mental health.

So, don’t think that participating in hobbies will derail your journey in life. Instead, think of it as the side-quests that will help you build a better and happier life.

Creates opportunities for social interaction

Maintaining contact with old friends nowadays may seem impossible due to each one’s differing schedules and responsibilities.

Having hobbies can be a solution to this problem. The study mentioned above noted that hobbies provide individuals with the opportunity to improve social interaction, foster a sense of community, and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Research shows that life satisfaction rates increase with shared hobbies, with 46% of 2,000 UK adults reporting higher satisfaction with hobbies shared with others.

How to rediscover happiness through hobbies

Recognizing the connection between hobbies and happiness, you might consider exploring new ones. You don’t have to start from scratch (although you can if you want to). Here are some tips on how you can rediscover your spark for life through hobbies:

Reflect on past interests and forgotten passions

Reconnecting with old hobbies can be surprising (or even emotional), especially if they’ve faded quietly into the background. Adults often lose touch with their hobbies as their priorities shift, time becomes scarce, and their circumstances change.

Invite hobbies back into your life rather than waiting for them to reappear. Here are some tips:

Reflect. Consider the things you used to like doing. What pastimes used to thrill you? When was the last time you felt “in flow”?
Encourage yourself. Try easy techniques like making a short list, looking through old pictures, or even asking friends and family what they remember you enjoying.
Take action. If something jumps out, start small. You could go over it again for 10 minutes, or look for a beginner’s class or video to see if your enthusiasm returns.

Explore new hobbies to try

In addition to reminding yourself about your past hobbies, it’s also not too late to start exploring new ones. Here are some tips to get you started on your exploration:

Research. A quick search can help you brainstorm hobbies to get started on.
Check what hobbies your friends, family, and colleagues have on social media. Ask them about their hobbies and get their recommendations.
Prioritize and commit. Once you have your list, you should realize that you can’t do it all at once. When the priorities have been set, keep a commitment to yourself regarding these activities. You can start by trying at least one new hobby from the list, such as taking a class or attending a workshop.
Reflect and adapt. Regularly assess your engagement with the hobbies you dabble with. In this, you should assess whether the hobbies are a good fit for you. To do so, you can ask yourself:

- What is my progress in this hobby?
- Did I enjoy this hobby?
- What did I compromise for this hobby?
- What did I gain from this hobby?
- Is this hobby worth it?
- Are there any adjustments I should make for this hobby?
- Should I keep this hobby?

Once you come up with your answer, adjust your exploration. You can decide which hobbies to invest more resources in and which ones to stop doing.

Address the barriers

In your effort to cultivate happiness through hobbies, you will face many challenges. But giving up together should not be the first option. Below are common challenges you may face in your journey and how to overcome them:

“I don’t have time for hobbies.”

It’s easy to assume that hobbies require a significant time commitment, but this isn’t always the case. If you start small, hobbies can fit into even the busiest days. Below are some ideas to make time for hobbies:

Set a 10-minute timer. Pick an activity that interests you and do it for ten minutes; there’s no pressure to do more. Try doodling or sketching, attending a yoga session, or solving a brainteaser or small puzzle. You can also read a few pages of an article or book, or take pictures of interesting objects in your surroundings.
Schedule “micro-hobby” time. Just like you would for a meeting or errand, set aside a brief, precise period each day on your calendar.
Pair with routine activities. Pair a hobby with a routine, such as knitting during TV commercials or listening to a podcast on the commute.

“I am not good enough.”

Fears of failure or judgment can prevent you from trying at all. Action is the first step toward changing your perspective and creating space for development. Below are some ideas to encourage yourself:

Cultivate self-affirmation. Before you begin, write or say out loud, “It’s okay to be a beginner,” or “Progress matters more than perfection.” Repeat to help reframe self-doubt.
Set achievable goals. Start with easy-to-achieve tasks, such as learning just 3 guitar chords or drawing for 2 minutes.
Practice “safe failing.” To make mistakes seem less daunting, consider starting your hobby practice privately at first, or only sharing your early attempts with friends.
Celebrate every step. After each session, record or discuss your accomplishments, no matter how small.
Normalize mistakes. Seek out online discussion boards or videos where people discuss their novice errors; this normalizes flaws and progress.

“I have no one to do it with.”

Even if the people closest to you are busy or uninterested, you can still build a community around your hobbies. Below are some ideas to create a hobby community:

Join local or online groups. Locate people who share your interests through websites like Meetup, neighborhood community centers, or forums dedicated to a particular hobby.
Find a “hobby buddy.” Discover if a coworker, neighbor, or online friend would be interested in sharing progress or checking in weekly, even virtually.
Attend events/lessons alone. Enroll in a class or event on your own; many hobbyists attend alone and are open to meeting new people.
Share progress online. If you feel comfortable doing so, share your journey on social media or a hobby-focused app. The goal is to connect with and find support from people who are following your path, rather than seeking likes.
Volunteer or work together. A lot of hobby groups (like music, gardening, or crafting) offer volunteer days or cooperative projects that are perfect for beginners.

Regardless of their schedule, level of skill, or social circle, anyone can incorporate hobbies into their life by removing obstacles and following these simple, achievable steps.

In conclusion

Busy routines and responsibilities can push happiness and hobbies to the background. But this could be a mistake.

Making time for the things you love isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessary step on the path to better balance and wellbeing. By embracing hobbies in your life, you can enhance your mental well-being, overall happiness, and social interactions.

So, bring back your old hobbies or find something new today!

If you want to see more resources on hobbies, check out the Happiness Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Happiness Science Labs today.

Photo by drobotdean on Freepik

Jelita Rizqullah