How To Keep A Hobby When You Have No Time
Is it just an excuse, or do we really don’t have the time for our hobbies?
Nowadays, I have a problem finding the time for my regular job and hobbies. And not to mention social activities and meeting up with friends.
I am a freelance UX/UI designer, but I am also a writer, an illustrator, and a photographer. In my free time, I read and play guitar.
When I spend a lot of time working, I feel depressed because I don’t have the time and energy to enjoy the things I like doing—for example, writing this blog. Or writing poetry and working on my poetry book that I’ve been planning to publish for years.
My hobbies help me deal with my mental health. I feel fulfilled when I do it and depressed when I don’t. It gives me a sense of purpose beyond work and keeps my stress levels manageable.
I like to design, but I like all things mentioned above too, and not that I don’t want to, but I can’t give up on anything listed.
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking and balancing my hobbies and my regular job and achieving a work-life balance.
Here is what I‘ve found so far.
A few days ago, I traveled to my hometown and listened to one of my favorite podcasts. The guest was a very successful illustrator, talking about her career. Even if she is talented and loves to illustrate, she said that sometimes she wakes up and finds it very hard to sit down and do it. She can’t find motivation, she would rather watch movies, eat snacks and be lazy.
But then, she remembers that she is lucky enough to be paid for her dream job, and she kind of feels guilty because many people hate their jobs but must earn a living.
You can’t always find the motivation to work, even if you are lucky enough to do your dream job. Talent is essential, and to love what you do is also crucial, but one thing that we usually forget is — discipline. And the other one is dedication.
To succeed in what you love to do, you have to be dedicated. Talent is not enough. You have to be consistent to achieve some results.
Many people expect overnight success and give up after the first try. It’s impossible to be noticed, get followers, and build an audience in a few days. It’s constant work. Overnight success happens very rarely, and it’s usually just a bit of luck.
Make a plan, see how many hours you can spend on your hobbies daily, and stick to it. Realistically, it may not be possible to dedicate a few hours every day to your hobby. Instead of waiting until you are free, let yourself spend even 30 minutes on it.
If you lack motivation, try to add some innovations, create an Instagram account, and connect with people with the same interest. You will build an audience and, at the same time, get feedback. You will also be able to stick to your hobby without any effort, just by scrolling on Instagram. You will find new ideas and possibly find different ways of enjoying your hobby.
Day by day, you’ll get more followers, your audience will grow, and one day you will be able to do your dream job for life.
So if you love what you do and are talented, don’t get discouraged if it takes a few months or a year to achieve some good results. Don’t think about results, but enjoy the journey.
