We’re doing some renovations in our house, and the first phase is to paint the living room and family room.
Fortunately, my father, a retired painter by trade, was generous enough to offer his time and skill and do the painting for us. It was inspiring to see him work. Not only can he still move around faster than people half his age, but the quality of his work is second to none.
After my dad left our place, I was inspired to do some painting on my own. So, I tackled the cupboards in my kitchen.
Painting the cupboards inside is not as challenging as the prepping, patchwork, and painting my dad had to do in the other rooms.
But after it was all said and done, I felt a bit of pride and a sense of accomplishment. It felt good to see something that I had completed with my hands.
Finding Your Interests and Hobbies
In my book, The Promise Wheel, the letter ‘I’ in Promise stands for Interests and Hobbies. I included this as a domain of a balanced life because the research suggests that if you have an activity that puts you into a state of flow – a state of relaxed concentration – it can help you achieve a state of happiness and improve your overall well being.
So, if you’re in search of a hobby that can put you into a state of flow, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
1. Think of something you would like to improve. Whether it’s a personal quality inside of you or a practice you’d like to develop in your life, what would you like to be better at? Painting the kitchen cupboards reminded me of a goal I set a few years ago, which was to be handier around the house. Identifying something you would like to be better at gives you an idea of what could be a potential hobby.
2. Get deeper or more focused on something you’re already doing. What is something you’re already doing in your life that gives you a feeling of accomplishment or satisfaction? Is it exercise? Reading? Watching sports? Now, think of how you can get more involved in that activity. Here are some examples:
Going to the gym: research some new exercises that can maximize your results. Or examine the kinds of foods or meal plans that would take your workouts to another level.
Reading: Try summarizing what you’ve read by either drawing a mind map, dictating it into a note-taking app, or writing a summary. Or, call a friend and tell them what you’ve learned.
If you’re already engaging in something that brings a sense of enjoyment, think of how you can get deeper into that activity.
Summary
Finding the right hobby or interest can take time and lots of experimentation. The key is to be open and reflective about what is giving you a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment.
Whether working on a word puzzle (e.g., Wordle, crossword puzzle), learning how to take better pictures with your phone, or gardening, engaging in a challenging yet enjoyable activity can help you relieve stress and lead to more life satisfaction.
It can also lead to a more balanced life.
Richard
If you enjoyed this post, then pick up my new book, The Promise Wheel: Psychology For Growth and a Balanced Life. I provide dozens of strategies and insights on how to improve your health, relationships, and career so that you can achieve personal balance, feel less stressed, and have fun again.