How to find a hobby
- This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
We made it to the weekend! If you're on an airplane, be careful going to the restroom. A passenger recently got stuck in the bathroom, and the cabin crew couldn't rescue him. He had to stay there for nearly two hours until the plane landed.
Traveling is one of the most popular hobbies in the US, according to Statista. But if that's not for you — or if you're struggling to find something to do outside of work — experts shared how to find a hobby. That's our big story today.
What's on deck:
Travel: The 10 most popular EVs sold in the US last year.
Careers: Top industries looking to hire young workers this year.
Life: Tiny mushrooms are the latest interior design trend.
But first, what do you do outside of work?
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The big story
A guide to finding a hobby
Having a hobby can help people tackle their work and personal life with more energy. But relaxation isn't as easy as it looks.
"I've had a number of clients tell me they don't know what they do for fun — they don't know what that is anymore," Alexis Haselberger, a time management coach, told me. "So many people have lost their hobbies."
So time-management experts shared some steps you can take to find a new activity you enjoy.
Treat finding a hobby like a project
You likely won't find the perfect fit immediately, Laura Vanderkam, the author of "168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think," told me. It'll likely take some time to find the right activity for you.
"On some level, that's kind of a funny thought process. But why not give yourself six to 12 months to figure out what you truly like to do for fun?" Vanderkam said.
Brainstorm and ask yourself some questions
What are some accessible activities within your particular community? What do you wish you had more time for? What did you enjoy doing in college — or even high school?
"Just do a five-minute brainstorm of all the things you used to enjoy when you were a child," Haselberger said. "And then try to find an adult corollary to what those things are."
For example, if you enjoyed drawing as a kid, maybe try watercolor painting. Or if you liked playing outdoors, maybe try a recreational sport.
Ask people what they do
Ask those around you — friends, family, colleagues — what they do for fun. Or if they're also trying to find a hobby, ask what the people around them do for fun.
Try out the activities that people around you enjoy doing, Vanderkam suggested. And even if you don't like it, you might meet people there who share — or invite you to — other activities you might enjoy.
Take classes
Haselberger said she's a big fan of classes to see whether you like something. And if you do, you can go deeper into it.
Although some might cost money, businesses and local libraries occasionally offer free classes to try out different activities.
Be patient but proactive
Vanderkam told me that finding a hobby just takes a bit of time, experimentation, and being open to different things.
"If you are patient with yourself, I think that over the course of six to 12 months, you can certainly find something that you genuinely want to do," Vanderkam said. "It might not be completely perfect, but it'll probably be pretty good."
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The Insider Today Saturday team: Diamond Naga Siu, senior reporter, in San Diego. Dan DeFrancesco, senior editor, in New York City. Hallam Bullock, editor, in London. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York City. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York City.