We all want to have the best year ever, right? Maybe let go of old habits, and leave that unfilling job we’ve been locked in for years. If we start a new hobby to pass the time and enrich our lives, maybe this will shift how we receive abundance and offer more personal satisfaction too. And, maybe, just maybe, if we’re good enough at this hobby, it will forge a new path of individuality thus manifesting riches beyond our wildest dreams as we stand in our own power and declare “I’m my own person and finally I can live the life I want to have!”
Sounds like a good plan.
I thought about this last year after binge watching The Great Pottery Throwdown.
I was so impressed with the way everyone on the show made cool things from clay, I too was inspired to create my own form of pottery excellence… And maybe even morph myself into becoming the next great sculptor!
However, I soon learned my lack of clay prowess would quickly dictate the outcome of my potential masterpieces, and separate me even further from the talent I witnessed on the show. For starters, I didn’t have access to a kiln. Two, I didn’t own a pottery wheel, and C, I had no considerable money to invest in clay, glaze, or quality supplies of any kind. Oh, and as it turns out, I wasn’t very good at working with clay. Waa-waa…
Let’s be clear, this particular show was super well funded and the contestants had everything they needed, literally at their fingertips to create bespoke pottery. They were also very solid artisans before coming on the show, so basically they had great “clay chops” to start with. I, on the other hand, was a bit overzealous and unrealistic as to what it was I could achieve in comparison. I was so inspired by their talent I didn’t see how limited my abilities and resources really were. I think this is also a testament to how inspirational a creative show can be.
Not wanting to let my pottery dream wither away, I instead opted for air dry clay and a few tools even an elementary school child could use. Then, finally the day came, I created my first hand hewn piece of pottery magic. It was supposed to be an ornament that looked like a blackbird coming out of a pie. When I asked my husband what he thought of it, he asked a question back no artist wants to hear which was, “What is it?”
Dejected and annoyed, I immediately pitched my clunky and confused decoration into the garbagio. Later, I would realize he did me a favor, because it would help me to stay on my path of creating hand drawn pet portraits which is what I really love doing.
Okay, so as it turned out, pottery was not the hobby that ushered in 2023. I realized I was not to be the next great pottery “throw downer” afterall. And sure, maybe I gave up too easily. Maybe I should have declared to my somewhat oblivious, yet well intended hubs what my ornament was, and just tried to stand in my own power. Yet, truth be told, it was a bit of a relief to admit that while my intentions were good, my skill set was simply not up to snuff and I wasn’t willing to want to improve them. Ah-ha! There it is.
And that’s okay. In the words of Kenny Rogers, “You gotta’ know when to fold ‘em and know when to hold ‘em.”
So, without getting too overly philosophical here are 5 Ways To Start A New Hobby In 2024:
- Go Easy on yourself.
Don’t put too many expectations on the outcome of what you want to accomplish from your hobby. You’re allowed to change your mind! A hobby needs to be relaxing, enjoyable, and rewarding on some level. If it’s not, pitch it in the literal or metaphoric garbagio and begin again with a new idea.
- Pick an attainable Hobby.
Ask yourself introspective and honest questions. Should your hobby be artistic or otherwise? Does it require purchasing equipment? How affordable is it? This is where intuition is so important, which brings me to the next point.
- Get Intuitive.
Don’t worry about what all the cool trends are when it comes to a hobby. You have to get in touch with your intuitive side while asking introspective questions to figure out what speaks to your soul. It’s a personal and very rewarding journey in the end. If you do this, you’ll also save yourself valuable time and money too.
- Be Authentic.
I once took a “market what you make” course, and learned the number one thing to do to successfully sell what you create (if you want your hobby to be a business) is to love what you do. If you’re authentic in the activity that’s creating the hobby then you’re on the right path and the money will more likely come to you. Authenticity creates mojo, which naturally manifests the perfect hobby and potential financially successful.
- And Last But Not Least ~ Have Fun!
If you’re not having fun, why do whatever it is you’re doing? That’s something I can hear my mother saying, which I think can be really helpful for discerning how to spend time in the new year. Oh, and don’t be mad if your significant other doesn’t “get” your art, you can decide if it helps you to “fold or hold” your creative ideas in the end. Our partners are the perfect mirror to sometimes show us what it is we really want versus what we thought we wanted. This can also help us to stand in our own power because it highlights what it is we believe in.
I hope this list has helped you to want to start a new hobby for 2024, or at the very least begin thinking about it. Getting in touch with your intuition can spark an idea on a very personal level . Even watching a television show can jumpstart a hobby. Just make sure to ask yourself what it is about the content of the program that’s getting your attention, and then decide if it’s an accurate representation of what it is you want to invest your time in. Remember, hobbies not only reflect one’s talents, but the innate desire to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas with others.
Jill Militzer is an Intuitive Reiki Master & Earth Wisdom Teacher, Author, Artist, and Podcaster. You can reach Jill at: helloinneryou.com for intuitive services and podcast updates, and ajilloriginal.com for hand drawn pet portraits.