Get Yourself a Core Hobby
There is an elite breed of hobbies that everyone either already has or needs to discover.
These are hobbies that allow one to zone in when in the absence of others and pass by endless hours in the blink of an eye. These kinds of hobbies are powerful in so many ways: they make long-distance travel something to look forward to (assuming they don’t require a large space); they virtually eliminate FOMO; and they can lead to some of life’s most fulfilling moments. They essentially put an embargo on any form of boredom creeping into your life and provide a sense of purpose.
Passions Vs Core Hobbies
You might be thinking that core hobbies sound a lot like passions, and in many ways, they are the same thing. It just depends on how one chooses to look at it.
The reason I prefer the former is twofold: “core” still conveys the centrality to one’s life it holds, yet doesn’t quite carry the all-consuming connotation and emotional weight of a passion. Core memories is a popular term used to describe key instances in one’s past that contribute to who they are today. Similarly, core hobbies make up a key part of who one is, yet in the end, the core of any being or structure is only a part, albeit an important part, of the whole.
The other half of the phrase, “hobby”, further eases some of the expectations attached to passions. You don’t need to be all-knowing about a hobby and certainly don’t need to be pursuing it professionally. A hobby doesn’t even need to be a weekly occurrence, let alone a daily one, but absolutely can be if one desires.
My Core Hobbies
In my case, core hobbies turned a gap year into a gap second. I’m fortunate enough to have two: song writing/producing and web development (with the former being decidedly more exciting). When I have free time, I’m likely doing one of the two, and when I’m busy, I’m likely thinking about doing one of the two. While it’s nice having the optionality of both, a single core hobby is more than enough to enrich one’s life.
Finding Your Core Hobby
Whenever someone claims to be bored, it’s likely that they haven’t found their core hobby yet. Granted, it is often easier said than done, but it ultimately comes down to putting yourself out there for experimentation and setting aside free time to try new things.
Sometimes, it will take some time for an activity to click — some things aren’t as enjoyable when one isn’t skilled in it and skill takes time and effort to build. In the long term though, these time commitments will foster exponential growth and, in retrospection, will be a minor sacrifice in the lens of a life fully lived.
You Don’t Need to Shoot for the Stars
Core hobbies are what teachers insist will become our careers and what influencers and stars are referring to when they say, “Follow your dreams.” 99% of the time, however, you shouldn’t actually take to heart what Ms. Cathy said in 3rd grade — such a commitment likely requires tireless years of dedication, often at the expense of a diverse childhood. If it’s treated as a hobby, it takes on an entirely different scope.
Persistence
Either way, pursuing a core hobby helps one become bigger than oneself through the work they leave behind. If you’ve already found yours, don’t let it hold you back from continuing to explore new areas. If you’re on the hunt for your first, you’ve taken a step forward simply by reading this. Keep these ideas in mind and you’ll find your core hobby in no time.
