Do you have any hobbies?
I once worked with a quirky guy who dressed up in medieval clothing each weekend and re-enacted battles.
No really.
It was a sort of cosplay-meets-play-fighting type of hobby group.
Every Friday afternoon, he’d start getting into character.
One week it was some old Lord from an English town.
Another week a Knight of some sort.
He invited me along once or twice, but it wasn’t for me. The costumes prices for something I wasn’t sure about, were astronomical.
Of course, everyone else thought he was a bit weird.
But, I have to tell you, seeing the joy on his face every Monday as he relived his stories was kinda of inspiring.
Not the dressing up on fake horseback part.
His passion.
I remember colleagues teasing him under the guise of ‘it’s banter innit’
It was water off a ducks back.
Say, what you want, he had a hobby. One that seemed to anchor him.
Though, I never tried cosplay or riding atop fake horseback, I’ve dabbled in a few hobbies over the years. But until recently, I couldn’t quite articulate them.
For a while partying and happy hours were used as placeholders until I figured them out.
Now I can say with absolute certainty: I’m into outdoorsy things like hiking, sightseeing, and snapping photos.
This one, for instance, is from a random walk which led to my “discovery” of Kyoto Garden in West London.
It’s such a beautiful spot and comes highly recommended, if you’re in the area.
Younger me wouldn’t have openly said, ‘I love walking.’
No way.
It just wouldn’t have sounded cool enough.
Never mind, though. Older me gets it.
Being outdoors and soaking up nature somehow makes you feel alive.
Less lonely even.
For me walking isn’t just a hobby. It’s the best way to really “see” the world.
Not to mention; it’s wonderful for your well-being, especially when it comes to escaping the loop of overthinking I told you about.
Believe me when I say: there’s absolutely no way you can see something as tranquil as a pretty pond complete with authentic Japanese carp, and still be stressing about something silly you said yesterday at 11:03am!
Another, “thing” I dabbled in was travel blogging. I guess it seemed a cool way to share my photos.
But, that hobby didn’t light me up in the same way as documenting the everyday.
Blogging about a place is far deeper than just “selling” it.
Besides, walking and snapping photos slowed me down enough to notice the magic in the mundane.
It also strengthened my sense of belonging.
Lets just say: in nature, there’s no judgement. It doesn’t shun or side-eye you.
A gorgeous flower and even those carp I mentioned, have a way or mirroring your existence back to you.
Their inviting beauty reminds you that you’re part of something way bigger!
So, if you’re at a lost with finding a hobby that lights you up, you’re going to have to put yourself out there.
Oh and don’t worry about seeming weird.
We all are to someone else!
Be like Christian (the quirky ex-colleague) and get out and try new things. He clearly wasn’t play-fighting alone, so you’ll probably discover your tribe too.
Hint: If you’re stuck, revisit the things you loved as a child. Did you enjoy drawing, building things, painting? These clues will guide you right back to the things that bring you joy.