Dads, The Real Reason You Don’t Have A Hobby

I love to be outside; biking, hiking, fishing, foraging or hunting but these hobbies take time and commitment.

Extra time is like that mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow guarded by a tricky leprechaun…it don’t exist.

And Netflix is not a hobby...(Why do I always spend more time browsing for a show than actually watching???)

So what I found is trying not to overcomplicate it...hobbies don't have to be some complex or time-consuming.

Actually, it should be something that takes very little time so I can find a way to squeeze it in each day.

A hobby has a multitude of benefits…but before I lay out the benefits, lets first define what a hobby is.

A hobby is something that requires active participation (i.e. Shooting Hoops).

Something that is not a hobby is something that involves passive participation (i.e. binging Netflix).

I’m not bashing Netflix because I love a good binge-watch from time to time. We crushed Stranger Things this past winter (I still have Kate Bush singing “Be runnin' up that hill” stuck in my head)

A hobby is important because:

It puts us dads into a state of flow...which is like a massage for our brains (here’s the science to prove it).

You may ask:

If hobbies are so good for my brain and I have so little time how can I possibly find a hobby?

Return to your childhood...what did you love as a boy?

Loved to ride your bike as a kid?

Take 15 minutes a night to go on a solitary ride. Leave your phone at home. Push yourself to ride as fast as possible.

Loved to fill the margins of your notebooks with doodles?

Doodle! Throw on headphones with a favorite album, and let time melt away.

Loved exploring the woods as a boy?

Go explore again! As long as you are taking an active role in your life, you will feel the benefits.

Loved throwing a ball against a wall?

Go outside and throw a ball against the wall. Your neighbor might think you’ve gone mad but your brain will thank you.

Disclaimer:

I am not saying to avoid taking up a difficult, expertise-laden hobby.

This is dedicated to those who want a hobby, but end up watching TV every night.

Life isn’t all-or-nothing.

By making a small change towards active participation, you might find yourself invigorated enough to embark on a journey to learn how to make ships-in-a-bottle.