I’m a musician, a writer, an amateur photographer, and an artist wannabe. Do you notice anything about these hobbies? They’re all creative. I think everybody should consider practicing one creative hobby. If nothing else, at least give one a try. What do you have to lose?
Do You Want To Be More Creative?
Do you ever listen to the radio and say, “I wish I could write songs?” Have you ever been to an art museum and then found yourself inspired to pick up a paint brush? Or maybe you’ve taken some pictures on your smartphone and wondered if you’re good enough to invest in professional photography equipment?
There’s a reason we often wish we could take on a hobby. It’s simple. People who create have an end product. They have something interesting or beautiful to show for their work. Often, they create something others admire. Of course, we wish we could do that, too.
Each year, when I visit Port Townsend, Washington, I love to watch people building wooden boats at the maritime center. It looks like such contemplative and relaxing work. One of these years, I just might build one myself. I’d have my own handmade boat! But there’s more to creative hobbies than just the end product.
7 Reasons To Practice A Creative Hobby
- Positive use of your time: You could sit around and watch TV or play video games, but what do you get from that? Lazy? Overweight? A stiff neck? Creative hobbies are a positive use of your time because they are more active than staring at digital screens. You become a life-long learner. You use your hands as well as your mind.
- Builds discipline: I’ve played music for more than 25 years. I’ve been writing and blogging for more than 5 years. I wouldn’t stick with it and continually improve without some self-discipline. No matter what creative hobby you choose, you need to set a regular routine in order to complete projects. Routine requires discipline. Discipline will help you in many other areas of life.
- Fosters creativity: Not to be redundant, but creative hobbies make you more creative. As a musician, I’ve continually sought to play in a wider variety of musical styles. I’ve tried nearly a dozen different instruments. The more you create, the more creative you become. Your craft becomes fine-tuned and aged and it shows in your work.
- Makes you think: Studies have shown that people who practice creative arts have higher IQs than those who don’t. Why? Because creative hobbies make you think. You have to solve problems and make connections, sometimes between completely unrelated concepts. That makes you smart. Employers are always looking for good problem solvers. Being creative can make you more employable.
- Provides relaxation: I find peace in my hobbies. There’s a meditative quality to creativity. Some creative hobbies require repetitive movement: sanding the boat, knitting the hat, or strumming the guitar. These repetitive motions help you to relax. Your heart slows down, you breathe more deeply. It’s healthy.
- You get something: When an artist completes a painting, he or she has a finished work. That’s an accomplishment. It gives a person a sense of satisfaction. You’ve reached your goal. With each new project, you can raise the bar. But you get more than just the finished product. You get the process. It’s in the process of things that we can find true contentment.
- You can share it: You can give your work to friends and family. You can play your music live. You can present your photography in a show. You could even sell your art and make some money from all your hard work. You can also share your creative hobby by teaching others. And teaching others has another set of rewards in itself.
Get Started Today
If you already practice a creative hobby, that’s great. I encourage you to stick with it. If you used to practice something creative but set aside years ago, I encourage you to get it back out. Try again. And if you’ve never done anything creative, it’s never too late. I didn’t start playing guitar until I was 25. I didn’t start writing books until I was in my late 40s. It’s never too late to start being creative.
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