Why it's Important to Have a Creative Hobby, Even if You Work in a Creative Field
Having a hobby is incredibly important. Having that outlet not only helps improve mental health but also can help benefit you professionally.
If you’re a creative, you may think that having a creative hobby is counterintuitive. Why would you do something creative if you need a break from being creative? While any hobby will do, a creative hobby may not burn you out as much as you think. After all, if you’re in a creative career, it’s most likely because you enjoy doing something creative, so embrace it!
Preventing Burnout
Integrating a hobby helps break up your repetitive everyday routine by incorporating something new and exciting, and you can look forward to. Sometimes it feels like all you ever do is work, so adding a hobby can help break that cycle. Instead of working, scrolling, going to sleep, and repeating, a hobby can provide an alternative way to relax that feels fulfilling.
If you’re burnt out, the last thing you want to do is likely add another thing to your schedule. I’ve been there. Hobbies are scientifically proven to alleviate burnout.
According to UCDavis Health, “People who spend at least 20% of their time working on projects or ideas that they’re personally interested in are protected from higher rates of burnout.” Taking the time to participate in a hobby you’re passionate about leaves you feeling accomplished, happy, and subsequently less burnt out.
Creative activities, “led to a burst of brain activity” that results in positive rewards, says the American Psychological Association. When you’re working on creative hobbies specifically, you release dopamine and endorphins, chemicals in your brain that make you happy.
Diversifying Skills
Learning or practicing something new helps diversify your skillset. You’ll find that even if your hobby isn’t directly related, there will be some overlap.
You can learn practical skills that may directly apply to your career or personal life. Hobbies can teach you how to cook, how to draw a person with the right proportions, or color theory. They can help develop soft skills from your hobbies over time, such as patience, discipline, or attention to detail.
Your hobby could turn into a real passion of yours. If you never took the time to try, you could be missing out on learning a skill you fall in love with.
Pressure Free Creation
Trying a new hobby on your own eliminates pressure. No clients or higher-ups are telling you what to tweak or imposing limited guidelines on your work. You have the freedom to create without limits.
This pressure-free creation actually helps improve your problem-solving skills. This gives you the luxury of failing, trying new ideas, and improving on your skills. You are allowed the opportunity to work through problems without constraints or pressure, in turn helping you think more creatively in your job.
How to Incorporate a New Creative Hobby Into Your Life:
Try something you've been interested in
Whether it’s trying something that looked interesting to you that you saw online, or you’re looking to pick up an old passion. Doing something that genuinely interests you is key to a rewarding experience.
Choose something new and different than your job
When choosing a hobby, pick something different enough from your current job so it doesn’t feel like work.If you’re a painter, you can take up creative writing, for example. If you’re a dancer, maybe try crochet or knitting.
Low-pressure
Do not put too much pressure on yourself to be perfect. Allow yourself the freedom to have fun with whatever activity you choose. Don’t turn your escape into a job.
Carve out time in your day
Take a look at your calendar. Block out time to work on your hobby. It can be once or twice a week or just for 30 minutes a day. Setting aside the time for it keeps you accountable.
A study conducted at San Francisco State University by psychology professor Kevin Eschleman found that “people with creative hobbies outside of work performed 15 - 30% better when they were working compared to those without any hobbies.” The benefits of trying out a new hobby greatly outweigh the drawbacks. Taking the time to play outside of the office ultimately reduces burnout, introduces you to new skills, and allows you to sharpen problem-solving skills, improving your quality of life in more ways than one.
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