Why Hobbies Are Life-Giving For Your Soul

"When your hobbies get in the way of your work - that's OK; but when your hobbies get in the way of themselves... well." - Steve Martin

Well, I might not agree whole-heartedly with Steve Martin on this one, but I think it is important for everyone to have a hobby. This is a gift I did not discover until I began graduate school. To be honest, I have never kept a consistent hobby. In high school and undergraduate, I never took the time to find those activities which simply brought my soul joy. My mind and energy was too consumed with getting ahead. I am a goal oriented individual who is typically busy with planning the next x, y, or z step to attain said goal. Whether that was career, classes, etc. Nowhere in my plans was time for myself to do that that which life was giving.

Enter graduate school. A time where there is never enough time; however, it is emphasized you find time to do an activity which is not on the trajectory point to your future career. It also was advice given to me by those in ministry. Therefore, I began several different activities which in the past five months have developed into life-giving hobbies: rock-climbing, horseback riding, and photography. Now, this is not a post to babble on about my current hobbies (that can be done another over coffee if you really want to hear the details). But, this is a post to emphasize a healthy life choice for all from one who is thoroughly benefiting from it.

I suffer from anxiety and depression. It has been an on-going battle for a few years now. Luckily, I have been able to find a healthy treatment plan. Yet, I still deal with self confidence issues. A therapist suggested I would greatly benefit from completion of a hobby, that essentially it would help boost my self-confidence. Enter, my three hobbies of seminary. I must admit that it is a self-confidence boost. Whenever I'm on the back of the horse, and trot correctly or go up a level on a rock-climbing course, there is a part of my soul which sours.

Go find your hobbies which is life-giving to the soul. It is key to living a healthy life.