The new year has started, so we're out with the old and in with the new. But, with the new year comes new hobbies and skills you might want to learn as part of your resolution, or, maybe you just want something different to spice up your daily routine. So, what hobbies should you take up and how are you going to stick with them?

Before going into it, how am I qualified to talk about getting into new hobbies? Well, I've picked up skills as simple as running and cross stitching to something more out there like gymnastics, and I'm currently learning how to skateboard. I've stuck it out with certain hobbies and dropped others. I've been there done that. So, while maybe I'm not a psychologist who knows the human mind, I've at least gotten into and tried out some different hobbies and can share my experiences.

First thing's first: before you take up a new hobby, figure out what you're interested in and what you like to do. It can be something simple like reading, or something more complex like learning to surf. Also, look and see if you have the time to take up that hobby and if there are any places that offer lessons to help you improve at a faster rate.

After my senior year of high school, I decided to pursue gymnastics. I'd always loved learning simple skills on my own (like a round-off and a back-bend kick-over), and am athletic in general, but I didn't have time before I graduated because I was either studying or at soccer/cross country practice. A quick Google search later, and I came upon a gym that teaches classes to adults. I found a sport that I'd always wanted to learn, and a means to do so.

And, to stick with your hobby? Hopefully whatever you decide to do is interesting enough that you'll want to stick with it, but some skills are harder to learn than others, so it takes time and practice to become proficient at them. If you're having trouble encouraging yourself to stick with your hobby, get a friend to join you, then you have someone with you to encourage you along. And, if you finally don't want to do that hobby anymore? Then quit it. That's the beauty of a hobby, you don't have to stick with it if it's not fun anymore.

I loved learning new skill after skill on my own, but the classes I went to taught me one skill at a time until I could get them right. While I was frustrated doing back handspring drill after back handspring drill each week I went, I knew the payoff would be worth it, so I kept with it. A few weeks later, I could do a back handspring on the floor without a spotter, so I got to move onto more skills, and now I know a front handspring and front flyspring and more.

However, I haven't kept up with all of the hobbies I've started. My senior year I started cross stitching because I thought it would be easy, and I wanted something I could do as a stress reliever from all my college applications. Well, I was too right, and, after creating a couple of designs, it started to all feel the same, so I dropped it. There's no shame in giving up a hobby that isn't fun anymore.

So go for it. Go grab a skateboard, a book, a pair of sneakers. Start something new, and keep up with it! You'll never know if you really like something unless you try it out.

Myself doing a front flyspringElizabeth Gainey

Stuck for a hobby? Here's a brief list of something you can try: knitting, skateboarding, biking, dance, gymnastics, reading, coding, juggling, walking, traveling, etc.