Growing up I had many interests. I loved to write stories, I played the violin, and I raised rabbits for 4H. I was also in Girl Scouts and liked to do crocheting, knitting, and even sewing. I guess you could say I am a very right-brained type of person.
Most of these interests followed me through high school and into college. I finished 10 years in 4H when I was 19 and started college as a music major, though I ended up finishing with a concentration and minor in music along with my Bachelor’s in Journalism.
My violin. It’s more than 13 years old!
As life went on, writing became my main focus. For a short time I co-owned a magazine with a fellow Army spouse who is a graphic designer. At the time, I was living in central Virginia, just north of Charlottesville. Our magazine focused on music in the local scene along with fashion and art. Though it didn’t last for a very long time, I learned a lot about business and myself.
A few more years have passed, and though writing is still a major part of my life, I recently began to realize that I put most of my interests and hobbies to the wayside. I can’t say I know why this happened, but I can say with confidence, that my daily routine put me in a rut. Doing the same thing day in and day out gets so boring and can make you start to feel a little crazy.
The solution?
I took my violin out if its case. I looked into joining a local symphony orchestra or possibly a college orchestra, and I started to find videos online to help me with my technique. I took up cross-stitching and started to fill more of my time with the things I love to do. I’m working on a novel and thinking about submitting poetry to literary magazines.
A piece of music that I love playing. It’s a minuet from Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.
Not only has recommitting my time to hobbies helped me find something to change up my routine, it has helped me find something to focus my stresses on. Anytime I feel overwhelmed, picking up my violin helps me refocus myself into something more positive. Having cross-stitch at hand is a good way to occupy myself when I am still awake in the late hours of the night.
This upcoming year, make a resolution to rediscover some of your interests, and make them a regular part of your life if you don’t already. I can say with great confidence that it has helped me find some joy in life, especially when it may get a little mundane.
What kind of hobbies did you have growing up? What hobbies are you planning to take up? Tell us in the comments!
Another violin-playing Army wife!! 🙂 I majored in violin performance, although I hardly play anymore. I have a few students that I teach on the side, which is nice, and try to do paid gigs when I can.