This year is already flying by! Now it is February, I’m sure that all of us have given up most of our goals for the new year, and back to all those habits we were wanting to give up. I definitely know I have been wasting my time scrolling through my phone endlessly. This is a very bad habit, that I have been trying to break to do something else that has more benefits. Here are some hobbies that are productive that you and I may want to pick up or start doing to use our time more productively. I have tried to choose ones that I haven’t spoken about before, so I hope you like them 😊.
1. Colouring
Before you immediately dismiss this, hear me out. Colouring, or doodling is lots of fun, but sometimes we just throw away what we have done afterwards. Instead, I propose either getting a colour-in canvas (Hobby Craft do some great ones) which you can colour and put up, or you could get a blank pair of shoes and decorate them with markers. I personally did this one in the Christmas holidays, and absolutely loved it! I haven’t worn the shoes out yet because I don’t want to ruin them, but I am going to definitely wear them when it gets drier and clearer.
2. Photo collages
Over the last half of last year, I started creating a collage on my wardrobe doors, and it is one of the things in my room I am most proud of! It is covered with pictures of me and my friends or family, quotes, labels or tickets from things I’ve seen or have, and postcards. It was a great way to display and show all of the things I love and definitely a conversation point in calls I join. It doesn’t have to include all of these, you may want a Disney quote wall, a wall of you and your best friend: whatever you create it is a nice distraction from anything that you are trying to have a break from.
3. Jewellery making
This is a skill I definitely want to build on. Whether this is making bracelets, earrings or necklaces, to be able to have or give away something that you have made is an accomplishment as well as making it more heartfelt. I normally stick to making beaded bracelets, but I would love to build on this, and start making more things that people will use of wear.
4. Walking/ running
2021 was the year that I started running and to be honest, after the first few weeks I actually started enjoying it. Although my schedule this year means that I only usually get 1 run in a week, I am trying to make time for that or walking around what I am doing. You may want to do this with a friend, or, like me, want to just put on a playlist with all your favourite songs and have a party all in your headphones. It is a great hobby to pick up on, and definitely one I would like to continue in the future if I can.
5. Re-purposing
Now we live in a more eco-conscious world, it is the best time to start being able to use things for different purposes. Whether this is making jeans into a bag, or decorating jars as a plant pot, anything that gives something a better purpose than the bin is always a good thing. I’ve got so many jars I want to do this with, so it’s only a matter of time before my friends start getting them!
So, there are some hobbies you may want to pick up this year or soon! Let me know if you do any of them, or share any others that you think of, I would love to hear them! Here is a link of more information - https://www.girlguidinglaser.org.uk/challenges/report-for-the-hive.
Hope you enjoy your new hobbies 😊.