hobby

Mar

2021

How to Find a New Hobby

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Are you thinking of how to find a new hobby? Maybe you already have one but you want to try something different. Here are some ways to discover, or rediscover, a new hobby to indulge in. Hobbies not only help you combat boredom; they are also a fun way to help you focus on your goals. Plus, they can help you unleash your genius.

Go back to your childhood

What hobbies did you have before you started working? What activities did you enjoy most during school activities? Go back down memory lane and list down the things that you enjoyed doing then. You might recall a particular hobby that you were fond of. In fact, you might remember that you still have your tools or materials. If this is you, then you can easily take up that hobby again.

Take a self assessment

Your interests might have changed and you may no longer be interested in pursuing the same things you did when you were younger. Take a self-assessment. Make a list of the topics you like talking about with friends and family. Write down the activities that you enjoy doing on your own or with other people. From this list, review each item and cross-out those that you don’t really want to try out again. Whatever is left should be the things you can pursue as a hobby.

Ask your friends

If you want a new perspective and learn more about yourself in the process; then get together with a group of friends (or talk to them individually), or have your friends make suggestions. Ask them what hobbies they think you should have based on how they know you. You might be surprised by their suggestions, and even more surprised by how your friends see and think of you. This is a quick and easy way to find a new hobby.

Try out new things

Finding a new hobby can be an adventure in itself. If you don’t want to write down lists, go down memory lane or call up your friends; then why not start trying out new things? There’s tons of tutorials for various DIY projects online. You only need to choose one and see if you enjoy it. If not, move on to the next until you find one that you want to stick with. This is definitely a fun way to find out a new hobby for yourself.

Transform what you do

Perhaps you don’t really have time to indulge in a hobby. In this case, why not make a hobby of what you already do? Yes, you are doing what you do to earn an income but you can start enjoying it even more if you think of it as a game. Try challenging yourself and giving your self a reward for accomplishing the challenge. Wouldn’t that make work as fun as pursuing a hobby? Just make sure the rewards you give yourself are helpful instead of distracting you from work.

These are jus some of the ways you can discover a new hobby that you can enjoy. Having a hobby helps you to find joy even during tough times. It lets you breath and re-energize yourself so you can take on more of what life has to offer. What other tips do you have for finding a new hobby?

Feature Image: Original Image by press ? and ⭐ from Pixabay.

Nov

2020

5 Herbs You Can Grow Indoors

Reading Time: 3 minutes

You might not have a green thumb but there are 5 herbs that you can easily grow indoors. If you love gardening but live in an apartment, then growing these herbs indoors is a good way to indulge in your hobby. These herbs are easy to care for and you can use them in your cooking too. This is also one way to add more organic produce to your diet.

1. Lemongrass

This herb doesn’t even require soil. Buy a stalk at your local market with a large stem part and with the base of the plant still intact. Trim the top of the stalk and place the plant in a tall container with 2-3 inches of water. The stalk will produce roots and dozens of new shoots. It’s one of the easiest herbs to grow indoors. This herb is very fragrant when added to your dishes.

2. Chives

This herb does not require much light to grow just start with an already grown plant. Place the plant with the roots in a small pot filled halfway with potting soil. Cover the roots up to the crowns with more potting soil. Cut about one-third off of the top of the plant to encourage new growth. Chives are popularly used as garnish but also to add flavor to dishes.

3. Mint

Spearmint and peppermint grow like weeds so they can choke out other herbs if kept in the same container so get these herbs their own pots. For indoors, peppermint is a better option. This herb should be planted as seeds in a small pot full of potting soil. Place it in a spot where it gets at least a little bit of light each day. Mint is one of the herbs you can grow indoors to add a refreshing kick to your beverages or desserts.

4. Parsley

Parsley is grown from seeds which need to germinate and may take up to 2 weeks to grow. This herb is a slow grower so your initial clippings will not be much. It doesn’t require much light and maintenance once you get started. Be sure to ask instructions from the seller when you buy the seeds so you can plant it properly. This is a popular herb that adds a hearty aroma to any dish.

5. Basil

This herb is the most difficult to grow among the five but it is a very popular herb for cooking. There are different kinds of basil so ask your seller which one to get and how to grow it properly. As with parsley, you will enjoy caring for it and cooking with it after your initial planting efforts.

Some Tips for Caring for These Herbs

As with any hobby, some patience is needed to grow some of these herbs indoors. You will find that they are worth the time and effort. Be sure to keep in mind some tips to ensure your efforts don’t go to waste.

Plant herbs in separate containers so that they have room to grow and they don’t choke out each other.
Water them minimally. Wet the base where the stem and soil meet and not the leaves. Let the base dry before watering again.
Clip them regularly to promote more growth so use them in your cooking often.
Always use high quality organic potting soil. Ask your seller for recommendations.

We hope you get your gardening groove on with these herbs and maybe boost your cooking skills in the process. You might also want to check out these tips on maximizing your food budget.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2019.04.01.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash.

Apr

2020

Fun Things You Can Do When You Are Stuck at Home

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Most countries around the world have implemented some form of lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Lockdown is the now the new normal. While some places are already beginning to ease restrictions, some are still extended while others are shut down again because of fear for a second wave. If you are one of those people who still do not have the liberty to go out of the house, here are some fun activities that you can do to keep your boredom at bay when you are stuck at home:

1.Binge-watch a TV Series

In normal times, binge-watching is bad because it is unhealthy and unproductive but during these extra-ordinary times, it can be good especially if you are watching shows that you can learn from or increase your emotional intelligence. You can also make it a family activity by watching a marathon of movies that you can enjoy with the kids.

2.Learn a New Language

Learning a new language does not only give you a competitive edge in your career, it is also beneficial to your mental health. It boosts brain power. It improves your memory. Learning a new language also sharpens your mind. It can also help boosts your confidence. In addition, it can help you understand movies or dramas without reading subtitles especially if you are a fan of foreign shows like Korean dramas.

3.Plan Your Next Vacation

In a s tudy that was published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life, it shows that a great proportion of people’s happiness comes from planning the next vacation. It is largely due to the anticipation of relaxing, going on a holiday and travelling to a different place.

So, what are you waiting for? List down your travel goals and start planning for your next vacation!

4.Play Board Games with your Family

While no one can argue with the benefits of technology, sometimes good old fashioned board games is a welcome change. Instead of individual family members holding their different gadgets, why not bond together as a family and enjoy quality time playing with your parents, children or siblings. For sure, it will be fun. It also encourages open communication among family members. You can play board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Life, Pictionary, Battleship and Cranium.

5.Read Books

Reading books is good for you. It improves your brain function. Through reading, you will be able to increase your knowledge. and broaden your vocabulary. It makes you smarter, improves your memory and enhances your level of concentration. In addition, reading also reduces stress. It also keeps you entertained. The advantages are simply too many.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.
Dr. Seuss

6.Redecorate your Home

The way your home looks have a great effect on your mood. A home that is clean, well-organized and has the right atmosphere can help get rid of anxiety and stress. You can start by decluttering and disposing things that you no longer need.

7.Sleep

In this modern world, a lot of people in the urban areas are caught with the hustle and bustle of city life that most are not getting the required hours of sleep that the body needs. Take this rare opportunity to get enough sleep. Remember that sleep is a vital factor in boosting your immune system. Your immune system is your best defence against diseases.

8.Start a Group Video Conference Call with your Friends

Social distancing does not necessarily mean breaking up friendships. While it may take a long time before you can party and go out with friends again, you can still connect with everyone through video chats. There are many free platforms that you can use like Facetime, Google Hang-out, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Viber, WhatsUp, Zoom and many others.

9.Start a New Hobby

Is there something that you really wanted to do when you were still a kid? Something that you have been putting off simply because you neither have the time nor money to do so. Now is the time to start doing that. There are many indoor hobbies that you can do. You can knit, weave, sew, paint, quilt, cross stitch, origami, make jewelries, write poetry, make a scrapbook, garden etc.

A hobby helps you relax. It allows you to take a break from all the stress and just simply enjoy the moment. It is good for your mental and emotional health.

10. Visualize your Future

Success starts with a vision. When you visualize, you imagine things. You see yourself in the future in vivid details living the life that you want to live. The more specific your imagination will take you, the better it is. By doing so, you are already increasing the likelihood of success.

Visualization is fun. It gives you something to look forward to. It also helps you rise above the storm and challenges in life because it helps focus your energy on the desired outcome rather than the problem. It is all about looking into the future rather than being depressed about the present.

If there is anything that you wish to add, please feel free to do so. Your inputs will help a lot of people go through these hard times.

Feature Image by Posted by A.L. Jonas in Intellectual, 0 comments