I'm one of those people who always has to be doing something. I think in general we're a generation who feel guilty if we're not doing something productive. I often tend to give all I've got to a million things at once, then burn out and end up watching ten episodes of Ex on the Beach in a row for a bit of light relief. I have a feeling I could probably strike a better and healthier balance. Something I've found really helps when, like me, you like to feel you're constantly doing something useful, is having productive hobbies. Things that you enjoy doing, but things that are also helping you create or achieve something in the process so you still feel busy. I thought I'd do a little round up of the creative hobbies I've found, plus some ideas for others too.
Blogging | What else would be the first point in my list? I started blogging, in all honesty, mainly because I was bored and it was something to do in my spare time, but something that I knew I would enjoy and felt more productive than sitting watching TV. I've always enjoyed writing and it felt like a good way to use and also improve the skills I have. I'm now at the point where it's becoming a bit more than just a hobby, but at the moment it still feels like one, which is great. The thing with blogging is, you can write about absolutely anything you want for whatever reason you want - whether you want a place to write down all your random thoughts just for your own eyes or if you want to write for other people, you can do whatever you like with it.
Get crafty | This is something I wish I did more often - my mum is great at it and always has a little project on the go. Whether it's creating a photo collage for your wall, upcycling a piece of furniture or making a holiday scrapbook, getting crafty can be really fun and you get to see the results at the end of it (which, if you're anything like me can sometimes be a little bit ropey, but it's the effort that counts right?)
Get snap happy | Take pictures of anything and everything (unless photography isn't your thing, in which case, don't). I'm loving experimenting at the moment and discovering what I like taking pictures of (turns out I love taking pictures of shadows and windows). You don't have to limit yourself to still pictures either, why not make a little film? Anything that involves a camera always feels productive to me. Personally, I've just started a little project to make a stop motion film with a friend, which I hope you all look forward to seeing when it's finished in ten years time...
Learn a new skill | Free time is a great opportunity to teach yourself something new. I taught myself how to knit a few years ago - I haven't knitted since then, but at least I now know how if there's ever the urgent need to knit something in some kind of knitting emergency... There are two things I'd love to learn but haven't got round to yet - how to speak French properly and how to play the piano. There are so many different skills we can learn in our spare time that might come in handy at work, in life in general or which might just be a bit of fun.
Do something you've always wanted | I'm sure we all have something we've always wanted to achieve but don't feel like we have the time to do, but it's great to try and get the ball rolling in your free time. I say that, but I haven't done that yet so I'm spouting hypocrisy here. I've always wanted to write a book and one day I will dedicate my free time to making a start on it rather than wasting my time in front of Love Island (if that's wasting time, which I really don't think it is do you?)
Do you like keeping busy in your free time?
Amy x
I'm awful for wanting to constantly be doing productive things too! I feel guilty whenever I just sit down and watch TV for a while. I often don't let myself watch more than one episode of a show at a time because I have a big list of productive things I want to do.
ReplyDeleteI've got really into podcasts lately and I love listening to them while I'm doing those boring but essential household tasks. They're a great way to feel productive and learn new things just through listening. They also help me unwind a bit when I'm stressed. I love crafting too but I'm like you and the finished product is never the way you want it to turn out! lol.
Oooh podcasts is a good one, I've never really got into them but listening to one while doing household jobs seems like a great idea! Xx
DeleteWhat a great list of things that you do, I really want to take up knitting again! In my spare time I go to Italian speaking classes and scrapbook as well!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day :)
Rosanna x
Rose's Rooftop
Ooh that's so cool that you go to Italian classes! Xx
DeleteGreat post! I love these! I am constantly trying to find things to do in my spare time that actually make me feel good and productive, instead of just sitting in front of the TV or scrolling through Instagram haha.
ReplyDeleteLast year I bought a guitar as a total beginner! Booked myself a couple of lessons and now just use youtube and practise playing songs and singing along. I'm awful but it doesn't matter!
When i was travelling I learned a lot of Spanish and I have kept this up! Now I listen to learn Spanish podcasts on the tube most mornings.
I also do yoga and am REALLY trying to get into cooking but so far that has happened!
And also, Love Island is never wasted time!!!! xxxxxx
Haha yes! It's great that you've kept up your Spanish, I always wish I'd kept up languages more from when I was at school. And that's awesome that you've taught yourself the guitar :) xx
DeleteGreat post, it's so good to keep busy with hobbies like this. Have a great day! Gemma x
ReplyDeletewww.jacquardflower.uk
Thanks Gemma, hope you're having a great week xx
DeleteBlogging is my main hobby for me too, as well as it being my career, so it's an amazing one to have!
ReplyDeleteRaindrops of Sapphire
So great that your hobby can also be your career! Xx
DeleteI totally understand the feeling you're talking about in the first paragraph - I am incapable of doing nothing, so I love a productive hobby. I mostly spend the time I'm not at work or socialising either at the gym or blogging and both are great for feeling productive...although in all honestly I am a bit of an idiot because I am so new to blogging that it definitely is just a hobby, but I don't treat it that way and get really annoyed with myself for not doing enough 'work'. Learning to speak French properly is definitely on my list too! :)
ReplyDeleteSophie xxx | Sophar So Good
Haha to be honest I was like that from the beginning too! I'm full of to do lists and I've never missed a post from my schedule, what a loser haha xxx
DeleteI absolutely agree about productive hobbies - when I have a break from uni over the holidays or the summer, I love to keep busy with various projects as it keeps me feeling motivated and prevents me from ever feeling bored! Blogging is number one on my list, and I love scrapbooking as well! My Mum is massively creative too, she paints beautiful watercolours! Baking is another thing I enjoy, it's lovely to put effort in and create something delicious to share!
ReplyDeleteAbbey �� www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk
That's such a great idea to make the most of your summer break! Scrap booking is a great hobby too :) xx
DeleteI love taking pictures of anything and everything, it's nice practice and I find it so relaxing!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/
It's so nice isn't it, I love managing to take a picture I'm proud of! Xx
DeleteBlogging is my main hobby i find any thing else i try i tend to get bored easily and lack motivation. The main thing taking up my time is my baby haha but i try to blog when i can!
ReplyDelete<3
perfectfixations.blogspot.co.uk
Aw well having a baby is the most important job you can have! It's great that you fit in blogging too though xx
DeleteI can definitely relate to this post, I always have to be doing something and usually feel guilty if I just "waste" my time (although I believe time is never wasted if you enjoy what you're doing). Blogging is great in that way, it allows you to be creative and productive at the same time. I really want to improve my French as well and writing a book has been my dream forever - one day I'll just have to sit down and do it xx
ReplyDelete113thingstosay.com
I always think one day I'll just have to knuckle down and start writing my book! I have ideas just need to write them haha! Xx
DeleteI always seem to be busy blogging or cooking. I do enjoy doing pole fitness though, it's super fun :) xx
ReplyDeletewww.gollymissholly.uk
My friend has her own pole fitness studio - I did try it out once but I was hopeless haha! Xx
DeleteAll I've been saying to people recently is that I need a new hobby to do for when I need to switch off so this has come at the perfect time lovely! Learning a new skill is something I really want to do/also considering learning a new language too, which I will no doubt be useless at haha!
ReplyDeleteElle
www.theellenextdoor.com
xx
Yeah it's so useful for switching off yet feeling like you're still doing something! I'd love to learn French xx
DeleteBlogging is one of my favorite ways to relax and be productive! Sometimes writing blog posts relaxes me sooo much, haha ;]
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Edye | Gracefulcoffee.com
Yeah blogging definitely helps me chill out! xx
DeleteLove this! Productive hobbies are always so good, it makes you feel like you are achieving something whilst having fun. Exactly the same reason why I blog! I also enjoy playing the piano and making crafts in my spare time :)
ReplyDeletehttp://reveriebelle.blogspot.com
I'd love to be able to play the piano! I love getting crafty too :) xx
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