I recently read that it is important to have three hobbies. One of these hobbies should make you money, one should encourage you to be creative, and the other should keep you in shape. As soon as I read this, I was immediately inspired. I began thinking of different hobbies that I could practice to satisfy each category, and with every idea I got even more excited. Then I stopped to think about something else: The hobbies that interest and excite me may not have the same effect on someone else. So how do we find our perfect hobbies?

BE YOURSELF: When I was a little girl and my mother cooked a dinner that I did not care for, I would complain about it. My mother would always respond by telling me that I actually really did like the meal. At the time, I would not argue with her because she was my mother and I thought she knew what was best. Now, if my mother told me that I liked a certain dish, it would not influence me at all. I have enough experience to know what I do and do not like. The same thing applies to hobbies. I would never let someone else tell me what I do or do not enjoy, and neither should you. Always stay true to yourself, and make decisions based on what YOU think.

Try Something New: I strongly encourage you to break out of your comfort zone. Trying something new can be a little scary at first, but not trying anything prevents you from accomplishing your goals. If you constantly do the same exercise routine at the gym, you will not improve. As intimidating as it may seem, adding in a new step to your routine, or challenging a new muscle in your body will get you closer to accomplishing your goals. When you try something new, you could surprise yourself with something you really enjoy. The worst thing that can happen would be that you don’t like what you have tried.

Don’t Be Afraid to Fail: Failure is one of the scariest aspects of trying something for the first time. It can be so easy to conjure up ideas of what can go wrong. It is definitely easier said than done, but thinking positively instead of negatively will take you farther than you could ever imagine. This summer, I found that I really loved canvas paintings. I was constantly searching different canvases on pinterest, and even had a board dedicated to them. After a few weeks of looking at them online, I decided I wanted to try to recreate one on my own. There were many times that I doubted myself, and thought it would be easier just to give up. Then I changed my mindset. I told myself that it did not have to be perfect, and that I would never know the end result if I did not try. I finally finished the painting, and now I have been asked to make two more! Do not be afraid to try something new, you never know where it will take you.

I am still navigating my way through different options for my hobbies. This world is full of opportunities and possibilities, and I do not want to limit myself from discovering what the world has to offer. Finding the right hobbies for you can be a journey, the best thing to do is just enjoy the ride.

|Stay motivated and don’t give up. Amazing things will happen|

Julia O’Connor