I Need A Hobby - What's Yours?

This isn't the first time I've come to this realization.

Aug 09, 2023

When Mark and I originally moved into this apartment, the plan was to be here for a year - two tops - then buy our first house. Because of this, I didn’t go overboard decorating. We wouldn’t be here for that long, I thought, so why bother?

That was five years ago.

Thanks in large to the pandemic’s wild effect on the housing market (seriously, who could have predicted this nonsense?), we’re still in our cozy two-bedroom, two-bathroom.

However, I’m happy to report, I did finally put up my first picture collage…. this past weekend (better late than never, right?).

The frame holds four 6 x 4 prints, one stacked over the other. I love taking pictures, but more specifically, I love taking pictures of landscapes and nature. So I went through my digital archive and picked out one photo to represent each of the four seasons: Winter is a snapshot from our first European excursion to Sweden the winter after we wed; spring is a close-up of the gorgeous pink flowers that bloomed around the first apartment complex we lived in together; summer showcases the private beach of the Madison Beach Hotel in Connecticut we stayed at a few summers ago; fall captures the fiery orange leaves that encase the entrance to our current home every October.

When some of Mark’s family came over to celebrate his birthday, my sister-in-law Maria asked, “Are you taking up a new hobby, Julia?”

Photo courtesy of Julia Guerra.

Photography used to be a hobby of mine. I took pictures of everything and anything. I would spend hours playing around with editing tools. My Godfather gifted me a beautiful Canon camera that I took with me to Disney World to document Mark’s cousin’s destination wedding. But then, I just… stopped.

I can’t tell you the last time I had a hobby that wasn’t related to writing or reading. I used to knit. I used to draw. I used to sing and do theater. I used to go to the gym a lot. I still exercise regularly, but I’m not obsessed with programs the way I once was. I only knit when I’m anxious. I never draw. I sing around the house.

My hobbies are creative writing and reading. But when I don’t feel like writing or reading in my spare time (because sometimes, after a long day of writing articles and reading other people’s articles, words are the last thing I want to focus on), I feel… lost. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to fill my time. I end up cleaning the apartment or organizing my inbox, and while that’s all fine and good (they’re tasks that need to get done), I want more. I want something else.

I have *some* ideas. One of the three main protagonists in my work in progress is taking a pottery class for the first time. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and researching about it makes me want to try it even more. I’ve also always wanted to try boxing. I really enjoyed rock climbing the handful of times I’ve done it. I’ve been meaning to play the new Harry Potter video game. My mom gave me her old Polaroid camera and I’ve dusted off my old Canon so I can start taking pictures again (but better). I’d like to get back into scrapbooking.

So, what’s the problem? The problem is, I struggle to step out of my comfort zone and, as Nike encourages, “just do it.” I’m a creature of habit and am very used to my routine. Being a very type-A personality does not help. I fear failure and am easily embarrassed.

It’s something I’m working on, and know that the best way to overcome this is to, well, “just do it.” To try something new. To get out of my comfort zone. I know it will be worth it. It always is.

Do you have a hobby? Is there something new you want to try that you haven’t yet for whatever reason? Tell me all about it in the comments below! I love inspiration, and if you need a hype woman to help get you outside your comfort zone, I am known to give a good pep talk!