5 life-nurturing reasons to enjoy a hobby

Writer Anna Quidlen sums it up nicely: "You cannot be really first-rate at your work if your work is all you are." Most people I know want a life -- a life that includes work but is not completely dominated by it. We want to be fully engaged in, and feel passionate about all aspects of our lives. Yet we often find it difficult to give ourselves permission to pursue our interests -- activities or hobbies -- outside of work and family obligations. Perhaps we think engaging in our hobbies is too self-indulgent or not important and we fail to create adequate space and time for them.

But when you take up a hobby, whether it's training for your first 10K run, singing in a choir or creating funky jewelry in your spare time, you reap the benefits of inspirational self-nurturing. Helping you to find a better balance and more meaning in your life, hobbies make you feel good. Here are five great reasons to stop procrastinating and start that hobby you've been contemplating.

1. To play and feel lighter
Playing means enjoying yourself for more than a minute or two, for the sole purpose of finding pleasure. It's something you do just for you and it makes you feel good physically. Just look at children to remind yourself of the magical powers of play. When kids play you can see, hear and feel their happiness and contentment - it practically vibrates off them. As we grow older, we often lose our playtime to the responsibilities of adulthood - working hard and being productive, striving to make a difference and tending to others. Yet, when you make playing a priority in the form of a hobby, you can face life and work with more enthusiasm and lightness.

2. To become more interesting and interested
Expanding your interests allows you to focus on things outside of your normal routine. Hobbies beat out boredom. There is excitement and challenge in learning how to paint, write short stories or sail. Committing to a hobby, whether it's adventure travelling or joining a book club, will give you something to look forward to and spur you on to achieve greater goals. When you participate in an activity that is engaging, your passion and enthusiasm becomes contagious and makes you more interesting to others.

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3. To enhance self-esteem
Many hobbies allow you the opportunity to gain new skills, giving you a sense of accomplishment and confidence that makes you feel better about yourself.
Hobbies that involve physical activity such as hiking, gardening and mountain biking strengthen your body and coordination. And getting in better shape can also make you feel good. Creative hobbies like pottery, quilting and writing poetry fuel your imagination and rid you of that "something is missing" feeling - and that makes you feel great.

4. To feel happier
When you self-nurture, you honor your true self. Taking up a hobby is a form of self-care because it's time dedicated specifically for you to do something you love and brings you joy. In doing so, you become healthier, happier and more balanced. These are the best gifts you can give yourself, your family and your community. When you commit to a hobby, you experience a pleasant aftershock - there is more of you to share with others.

5. To get connected
Many hobbies allow us to interact with others for purposes that go beyond self-gratification. If you feel isolated, taking up a hobby is a great way to meet and communicate with new people. Others who share your hobby of choice can often provide you with a great opportunity to build friendships. Sports clubs, dance lessons and knitting circles are wonderful ways to acquire or enhance skills and meet like-minded people. If you crave the chance to make a larger contribution to your community, join a local fundraising group or habitat restoration society and that could become your ideal hobby.

The next time you wonder whether taking up a hobby is a good use of your time, think about all the benefits that come from branching out, exploring something new and nurturing yourself. Give yourself permission to pursue an interest or an activity that is just for you and see what happens when you dedicate some time to your personal growth.