Enjoying a hobby which makes you happy is similar to spending time with your friends. You are not judged on your abilities, you are free to simply enjoy your pursuit, and it doesn’t matter how good you are at it: the fun is in the doing!

I feel extremely fortunate to have a hobby; for me it’s my writing, and it brings contentment to my heart and fills me with a useful energy boost.

But what if you don’t know the delights of pursuing a hobby? Perhaps you’ve meant to embark on one, and simply not got around to it yet…

Well now is the perfect time! We’ve all endured a challenging 2020 and look to the New Year ahead with great hope, and probably anxiety and fear, too.

So, because pursuing a hobby is helpful for your mental health – it evokes so many nourishing feelings – now is the time to start thinking about things which interest you beyond your study or work commitments.

It could be: cycling, painting, crafting, running, baking, or even astronomy. Whatever your burning desire may be, you can take advantage of the imminent sales and purchase the components at affordable prices.

When we absorb ourselves into our hobbies, we are concentrating to such an extent that time seems to fly by; and for the duration, our minds are free of anxiety and stress. It is as though we are alone in paradise. It is like taking a short holiday, because our minds become good at blocking out distraction and noise.

Therefore, as you plan your year ahead, ensure that you also carve out some quality time for you and your hobby. It is not self-indulgent – it is an investment in your mental and physical wellbeing. You owe it to yourselves to find the time, and experience the huge array of positive feelings that pursuing your hobby will give you.