I haven’t shared a list of New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of this year because, to tell you the truth, I don’t see the point on setting such long term goals – Who knows what I’ll be up to by November anyway? However, I do like the idea of challenging myself to do new and fun stuff that might even help me find myself again, taking one step at a time.
And with this idea, my Monthly Dare was born!
This month’s dare: Enjoy a hobby.
Seems pretty easy, doesn’t it? Well, it’s more complex than you think – trust me.
I find motivation in other people’s motivation. Whenever someone talks passionately about their work/hobby/home town, I feel curiosity and excitement. I want to know what makes people feel so enthusiastic about it.
I got into hiking after having seen hundred of pictures of the beautiful and unspoiled landscape I was missing out. I started climbing after watching a beautiful photo shoot from a friend that has a passion for it. I took a cooking course after someone at work boasted about how he cooks all his meals himself. I went skiing for the first time this March, after having spent many hours listening to ski talk in London. I’m training to run 6K in 30 minutes or less because everyone in this city seems to enjoy running to work and/or back and I want to become one of them.
Holding on to all of it is certainly tiring!
Today, I reached my peak point – I packed my running gear to go to the gym during lunch time and aim to beat my current pace, agreed on going for a two hour climb after my 8 hour office work and scheduled a following 2 hour study period for my day skipper theory course.
I am trying to do so many things at the same time, that I don’t even have a minute left to think about whether I am actually enjoying it or not. At some point, these hobbies got stuck in such tight schedules that they don’t feel like hobbies any more… but rather like obligations.
So this month, I’m going to slow down, stop planning my free time and do stuff only when I really want to do it. If I feel like climbing on a sunday, I will go climbing with or without partner. If I want to go for a run, I’ll pack my stuff and go for it – whether this is 20 or 40 minutes, slower or faster than the time before. If I’m keen to practice my chart work, I’ll do so. And if, for a change, what I really want to do is stay under the covers devouring one book after another – then who am I to stop myself from doing so?
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its your life- live it the way you want to! good luck with the challenge!
Wow, congratulations on being so active! My piece of advice is that, in addition to just doing all of these hobbies, make sure to take some time during the day to sit and reflect on them and how they make you feel. Think about why you do what you do, and allow yourself to appreciate how it helps you express yourself and enjoy life! Hope that helps!
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