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t friend and I would talk on the phone for hours while making our Sims do the same things and live the same lives. We would play The Sims every play date. It was out of hand.But I truly still love the game. I hadn’t played in years, but then I saw it on my boyfriend’s Xbox. The Sims 4. I instantly knew I had to buy it in order to relive my favourite childhood pastime. And relived it, I did.I played for hours straight. I’ll admit, I enjoyed it more on the PC and with the many extensions I used to own, but it's still a great game.The downside to video games is that time escapes you. Suddenly, hours have passed, and it feels like you’ve barely played. It’s easy to get swept up in the game and forget about your other responsibilities.Pros:<ul><li>Stress relief</li><li>Easy to kill time</li></ul>Cons:<ul><li>Time escapes you</li><li>Not very productive</li><li>Could be addictive</li></ul><h2 id="6326">3. Yoga and meditation</h2><figure id="7256"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*p1THVn9rKrexCO7rxMRpPA.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@kool-shooters?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">KoolShooters</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-lying-on-pink-mat-6246398/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Pexels</a></figcaption></figure>I’ll admit, I was a skeptic of this one. I’ve heard so many people rave about yoga and meditation and how it’s “amazing for mind, body, and soul”. This would make me roll my eyes. “Good for your… soul?” I’m just not a spiritual person.However, I deeply underestimated the power of simply breathing. There is something magical about clearing your mind of your daily stresses and living in the moment.After practicing yoga and meditation for a week, I can honestly say I feel less stressed. I’ve never noticed how much anxiety I carry from day to day until I started lessening it. This is something I will continue, without a doubt.To add to this, I’m not a very active person. I considered trying out different methods of “working out” for this, but yoga was the only thing I knew I could probably do consistently. But yoga can be a great workout. There are different variations you can do besides simple breathing that can really get your heart rate and strength up as well.Pros:<ul><li>Full-body workout</li><li>Stress relief</li><li>Free or low cost — all I bought was a yoga mat</li></ul>Cons:<ul><li>???</li></ul><h2 id="6947">4. Painting</h2>I’m sorry, but I will not show you the results for this one.<p id="2ae0"

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I’ve never been a very artistic person. I still remember my high school art teacher looking at my works in pity and saying:<blockquote id="9878">Well… I guess as long as you’re trying your best, I’ll give you passing grades.</blockquote>Thanks, man.For the sake of finding a hobby, I gave painting another try. And alas, I’m still terrible. I just don’t think it’s for me.Besides that, it stresses me out. I have trouble getting whatever’s in my head onto the canvas. It just doesn’t translate.I realize that there is abstract painting and “beauty’s in the eye of the beholder” and whatever but man, it’s just not good.Pros:<ul><li>Low cost</li><li>Stress relief (for some I hear)</li><li>Lets your creative juices flow</li></ul>Cons:<ul><li>Stressful (for me)</li><li>Could be messy</li></ul><h2 id="9421">5. Writing</h2><figure id="90eb"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*K1WJOWus8TNVTVonhRlvSA.jpeg"><figcaption>Photo by <a href="https://www.pexels.com/@ketut-subiyanto?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Ketut Subiyanto</a> from <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-woman-with-coffee-writing-in-notebook-on-bed-4132326/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels">Pexels</a></figcaption></figure>Well, you’re reading my first attempt, so don’t be too judgemental! Honestly, documenting these experiences might have been the best part about trying these hobbies.I used to be in love with writing as a kid, writing stories, and even wanting to someday become a famous author. Then, writing essays in school became too heavy, and the thing I once enjoyed only gave me headaches. Now I must admit, it’s fun to write! Especially when you can write about anything you want.Pros:<ul><li>It’s free!</li><li>You can do it anywhere, anytime, for as long as you like</li><li>You could profit from it</li></ul>Cons:<ul><li>You could get a creative block which can be frustrating</li></ul><h1 id="6656">Final thoughts</h1>I found some success with this brief experiment. I’ve found a new love for writing and yoga and meditation. I know a week is not enough time to develop a habit, but I’m hoping I do continue to pursue these hobbies.Some other fun ones were photography and gaming, of course. These, however, are not hobbies that excite me as much as the others, and I’m not dying to pursue them on a full-time basis.Hopefully, this gave you some new ideas on some hobbies to pursue. It sure was fun giving them a try, and perhaps I’ll try out some more in the future.</article></body>

I Tried 5 Different Hobbies So You Don’t Have To

Here’s what I learned

As a recent university graduate, I’ve found myself with a lot of free time lately that I’ve never had before. Sure, I have a full-time job and enjoy a good Netflix binge, but I feel like I have done nothing productive with my time since I haven’t had to pull any all-nighters studying.

So I figured, why not try various hobbies for a week to find out if I can get one to stick? And maybe I can even find one by documenting the process — in writing.

If you’re reading this, you may be interested in finding a hobby too. So here I am, trying them all so you don’t have to! Keep reading to find out my experience with each of them.

1. Photography

Photography is something I’ve always enjoyed but just never took seriously. Of course, I love a good photo to post on my Instagram, but it never meant much to me beyond that.

I tried some nature photography. There are beautiful areas in my town that I walk through very often. Stopping to snap pictures made me appreciate the scenery that I take for granted every day.

Now I’m no professional, but taking beautiful photos is something I enjoy. I’ve always been drawn to nature photography while scrolling online or looking for phone wallpaper. I’ve always loved nature and I’m realizing that I also deeply enjoy capturing it, even if my photos aren’t perfect.

Plus, with the increasing quality of cell phone cameras, you won’t have to invest in any new equipment if you don’t want to.

Pros:

If you have a smartphone, you don’t have to buy anything else
You can profit from it
You’ll have Instagram content to post
You can do it anywhere
You’ll be making memories

Cons:

If you want a good camera, it won’t be cheap

2. Playing video games

And by video games, I mean The Sims. This game used to be how I spent my days during my childhood. My best friend and I would talk on the phone for hours while making our Sims do the same things and live the same lives. We would play The Sims every play date. It was out of hand.

But I truly still love the game. I hadn’t played in years, but then I saw it on my boyfriend’s Xbox. The Sims 4. I instantly knew I had to buy it in order to relive my favourite childhood pastime. And relived it, I did.

I played for hours straight. I’ll admit, I enjoyed it more on the PC and with the many extensions I used to own, but it's still a great game.

The downside to video games is that time escapes you. Suddenly, hours have passed, and it feels like you’ve barely played. It’s easy to get swept up in the game and forget about your other responsibilities.

Pros:

Stress relief
Easy to kill time

Cons:

Time escapes you
Not very productive
Could be addictive

3. Yoga and meditation

I’ll admit, I was a skeptic of this one. I’ve heard so many people rave about yoga and meditation and how it’s “amazing for mind, body, and soul”. This would make me roll my eyes. “Good for your… soul?” I’m just not a spiritual person.

However, I deeply underestimated the power of simply breathing. There is something magical about clearing your mind of your daily stresses and living in the moment.

After practicing yoga and meditation for a week, I can honestly say I feel less stressed. I’ve never noticed how much anxiety I carry from day to day until I started lessening it. This is something I will continue, without a doubt.

To add to this, I’m not a very active person. I considered trying out different methods of “working out” for this, but yoga was the only thing I knew I could probably do consistently. But yoga can be a great workout. There are different variations you can do besides simple breathing that can really get your heart rate and strength up as well.

Pros:

Full-body workout
Stress relief
Free or low cost — all I bought was a yoga mat

Cons:

4. Painting

I’m sorry, but I will not show you the results for this one.

I’ve never been a very artistic person. I still remember my high school art teacher looking at my works in pity and saying:

Well… I guess as long as you’re trying your best, I’ll give you passing grades.

Thanks, man.

For the sake of finding a hobby, I gave painting another try. And alas, I’m still terrible. I just don’t think it’s for me.

Besides that, it stresses me out. I have trouble getting whatever’s in my head onto the canvas. It just doesn’t translate.

I realize that there is abstract painting and “beauty’s in the eye of the beholder” and whatever but man, it’s just not good.

Pros:

Low cost
Stress relief (for some I hear)
Lets your creative juices flow

Cons:

Stressful (for me)
Could be messy

5. Writing

Well, you’re reading my first attempt, so don’t be too judgemental! Honestly, documenting these experiences might have been the best part about trying these hobbies.

I used to be in love with writing as a kid, writing stories, and even wanting to someday become a famous author. Then, writing essays in school became too heavy, and the thing I once enjoyed only gave me headaches. Now I must admit, it’s fun to write! Especially when you can write about anything you want.

Pros:

It’s free!
You can do it anywhere, anytime, for as long as you like
You could profit from it

Cons:

You could get a creative block which can be frustrating

Final thoughts

I found some success with this brief experiment. I’ve found a new love for writing and yoga and meditation. I know a week is not enough time to develop a habit, but I’m hoping I do continue to pursue these hobbies.

Some other fun ones were photography and gaming, of course. These, however, are not hobbies that excite me as much as the others, and I’m not dying to pursue them on a full-time basis.

Hopefully, this gave you some new ideas on some hobbies to pursue. It sure was fun giving them a try, and perhaps I’ll try out some more in the future.