I’ve been thinking lately that I need a hobby. For the longest time, I was calling writing my anything but what it is (my job), but I’ve come to the realization that it’s not exactly a pastime. Therefore…I am hobby-less *insert sad face here*
All work and no play would make Beth a dull writer. And I don’t want to be a dull writer producing dull books. Plus, isn’t there some unspoken rule that writers are supposed to live full lives? Seek adventure where they will? Yes, I realize that there are/were exceptions (a certain poet whose name is escaping me at the moment. Emily…Something-Rather? Not Bronte. Ugh. I am too clueless and lazy right now to look it up.)
Should I count cooking and baking as a hobby? I think not. I bake and cook so my mom and I can eat. Sure, I do the occasional for-fun project in the kitchen (From Book to Cook, for example.) But it’s not something I love enough or am passionate enough about to make into a for-fun pastime. Not that I’ll quit. Eating is not something I intend to stop doing any time in the near future.
I would say sketching is a good hobby for me, but I am a perfectionist. Does that matter? I can’t really enjoy sketching unless I’m in a certain frame of mind. Like, spaced out and in a different dimension sort of weirdness.
Painting gives me pause. I had a lot of fun doing watercolors a few months back. My results? Less than stellar. But it’s not about the outcome, is it? I think it’s more about the process than anything. Or, at least, it should be.
I can’t dance.
I used to fence.
Does watching movies count? Reading books? Criticizing fashion?
Then again, maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree/s. Maybe a hobby doesn’t have to be artsy, even for a writer.
I could take up computer programming (hahahahha! I am so computer illiterate, it’s actually a joke on Twitter with some people.) Or I could simply go walk in nature as one of my writer chums suggested.
Maybe I’m overthinking this.
Your opinions would be awesome. What are your hobbies? Please help a writer out and tell me what you like to do, artsy or not. TIA!
Keep your nose in a book,
Beth
P.S. Dickinson! Why did that name take me so long to remember?!
Beth Overmyer 
Painting with watercolors and acrylics and oils …are an awesome way to release into another world just like writing. There’s no wrong or right way when it comes to a paintbrush …no editing…no judging at least that’s my point of view. Sketching same category. I love your painting. it was very pleasant to look at and soothing
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Aww, thanks!
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Painting with watercolors and acrylics and oils …are an awesome way to release into another world just like writing. There’s no wrong or right way when it comes to a paintbrush …no editing…no judging at least that’s my point of view. Sketching same category. I love your painting. it was very pleasant to look at and soothing
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I was going to suggest ballroom dancing, which turns out to be a lot of fun, but you’ve ruled that out . . . Anything in the music line? Take up the piano, or the guitar?
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I’m not really musical, sadly. Thanks for the ideas! For now, I’m going to do Inktober (even if I’m not confident in my drawing skills.) Maybe I’ll try martial arts or some self-defense classes in the new year… Who knows? 😀
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Martial arts is also cool . . . and has a lot more in common with dancing than you might think. I studied aikido briefly years ago — I highly recommend that art.
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