Hobbies For Hire

With the hours upon hours of dedication to what has resulted in a perfection-based decade of academia, free time is not a term that floats around often. Almost a taboo, free time occurs on the rare occasions when there is a break in the work flow, when the body says no to doing any more worksheets, essays, or labs, or on the rare weekend afternoon when there isn't another appointment that demands attention. But when the time comes that a physician formally recommends this previously blasphemous idea into the complex workings of a never ending schedule, the negative connotation of free time must be relieved and instead, embraced.

In 2017, it's common for many to embrace the idea of relaxation and self rejuvenation. The stigma connecting free time with laziness and poor work ethic has faded, at least enough for those who choose to live more freely to do so without widespread criticism. It isn't uncommon in the slightest for people to have fun activities that they do to relax or specific time set aside purely for wellness. In fact, it's almost encouraged. Regardless, for me, an uptight, by-the-book perfectionist, free time is merely an idea. With free time comes at least one thing weighing on the mind, be it another assignment or some sort of family function that I will, in some shape or form, have to mentally prepare for. Free time is not as much about relaxing, having fun, and embracing life's simple pleasures, than it is about recharging after a long week and preparing for the next one.

As one might expect, this frame of mind does not work out so well in terms of dealing with the copious amounts of stress that fill every minute of every day. Free time should not be about simply readying oneself for the next task, but should instead be about learning about oneself and taking the time for simple enjoyment, and while I do find myself enjoying the finer things in life (taking a trip to the theater, for example), many of these activities require the same amounts of energy to do the work during the week, just with a different outcome. Therefore, I have deemed it essential to find something to do that embraces an element of frivolity that does not involve extensive travelling or preparation, something simple that embodies the true definition of free relaxation time. And thus, I have made the decision to find a hobby.

A hobby is something that I have always strove to achieve, yet never actually successfully carried out. In the course of my near two decades of life, I have tried numerous different activities, regretfully finding that none of them quite stuck. From infatuations with collecting things and creating pieces of art to dedicating a few years to martial arts, equestrianism, and rock climbing, the list is extensive and wide ranging of all the hobbies I have tried (and failed) to embrace. Based on this experience in unsuccessful dabbling, I have managed to come to a few conclusions about finding some sort of past time that would prove beneficial to rejuvenation and my own personal enjoyment.

For starters, it would have to fit in with my busy schedule, something quick and easy that I could do at home or on the go. Next, any physical element would have to be limited, on account of an unfortunate shoulder issue and the equally unfortunate fact that anything athletic has often resulted in bouts of extensive humiliation. It would have to be sophisticated, nothing too extreme or bold, yet also unique in a way that would stimulate the always running mind of mine. Complicated enough yet?

Any hobby fitting these over-analyzed requirements would be acceptable, and I would ideally like to find one before devoting the next decade to a college degree or two. Needless to say, expectations for something of this sort are not exceptionally high. In trying to sort out what works for me and what doesn't, I've almost made my own hobby out of overthinking about hobbies themselves. It's possible that a reason for not being able to find something entertaining that lasts is the fact that I subject to this overthinking and grow bored by excessive simplicity. Or maybe there is a bizarre trend out there that I have yet to stumble across. Zen Gardening, perhaps? Painting ceramics? Anything to actually make use of the free time I am to be granted would be acceptable and very much appreciated.