With a demanding school or work schedule, it’s easy to fall into the habit of only doing things you have to. However, developing other interests helps you understand yourself and your values better. This can be important when making good decisions about your future, such as what subjects to study or what job suits you best.

Often, people stick to their comfort zones, even when it comes to their interests. By exploring different things, though, you can find skills you were unaware of, even whole new areas of talents, such as physical, artistic, scientific, technical, or problem-solving ones.

Adding new activities needn’t be tiring, even if your schedule is packed. A new hobby can be something restful in itself, such as yoga or meditation. Even an energetic hobby, like running, brings a much-needed break from your daily routine. But developing interests can go far beyond this. When exploring hobbies, you learn how to progress and develop independently, without necessarily being told what to do or how to do it. This kind of initiative, adaptability and flexibility allows you to create and follow your own path in life, and is also highly valued in the workplace.

Getting started

My first tip to anyone developing new interests is to explore what you like – if something catches your eye, try it. Is there anything you’ve long been dreaming of doing? It really is never too late to try something new. Experiment with different hobbies, and you may be surprised by what you’re good at!

Remember, you don’t have to choose just one thing. In my free time, I enjoy creative writing (and reading to support my writing), lifting weights, stretching, and learning martial arts. The variety of these is part of the fun!

Explore and enjoy

Developing and exploring your own interests can bring a great sense of achievement. Each day, you have the chance to notice a new technique or a small improvement in your hobby, which can bring great motivation and rewards. Having this kind of positive energy helps you achieve more in other areas of your life.

Remember, if you’re positive and passionate about something, you’re halfway to success already!