Coffee. Work. Dinner. Sleep. Repeat. Sound familiar? Nowadays it seems as though being an adult also means living a routine life style. While a nice, structured schedule is ideal for some people, it can cause a lot of people to feel unhappy, lonely, or isolated. An article on Time shows that only 67% of adults are unhappy and 40% do not engage in hobbies of any sort.
Whether you want to rekindle an old hobby or learn something completely new, spending your free time doing something other than work can really boost your happiness levels. Not only will it break that routine lifestyle, but you may even find some hidden talents.
If you’re not quite sure where to get started, here are some ways to ensure that you’re getting the most out of life:
Learn a new skill
A good way to get started is to do something that you’ve never done before. Sign up for a cooking class, take guitar lessons, or even try a horseback riding class. Whatever you choose, there’s a variety of fun classes to take that can teach you some valuable skills. Starting with a class is the perfect way to establish a solid foundation to build upon. Once you learn the basics, you have the freedom to take these hobbies even further – for example, trying out new recipes or learning new songs. No matter what new skill you choose to learn, you’ll always have the ability to challenge yourself and keep learning.
Places in Austin:
- Instrument lessons
- Cooking Classes
- Horseback Riding
- Trapeze Classes
- Dance classes
- Acapella Groups
- Knitting Classes
If you need them, here are some resources for internet options, so you can access online classes, seminars, and workshops or simply do some research for skills you want to learn!
Get artsy
If you’re looking for something with a little less commitment, a great way to get started on breaking your routine is to take some time to do some crafts. With so many DIY projects on the web, you could find creative ways to spruce up your home, wardrobe, or even your pet’s wardrobe. These activities are especially perfect for those just looking for a relaxing way to spend their free time. Even if you’re not the most artistic person on the planet, the internet offers no shortage of creative ideas and easy crafts to get started on.
For those looking for a more longterm project, making small renovations to your home is another way to take a break from work. Investing your time into creating a better living space for you and your family can be an exciting project for yourself and those in your home. Whether that means redecorating your bathroom or setting up a new office, getting involved in a big, longterm project is exciting, new, and rewarding.
Art is not only fun, but it is also an effective way to express your complex feelings, fresh ideas, or new aspirations. Exercising the creative part of your brain opens you up to new ideas and perspectives that you may not have ever thought of before.
Resources and Craft Ideas:
Get to know your city
No matter how long you’ve been living in your city, odds are you haven’t had much time to truly explore everything it has to offer. Whether you live in a hustle and bustle city or a quiet suburb, each city has its own story. The buildings, restaurants, landmarks, and people make each city unique from one another. Take time to visit all the places – big or small – that help make your city a place you call home. Just remember – these places may not always be as obvious as the #1 restaurant on Yelp. Sometimes, visiting that small family-owned bakery that’s been around for generations showcases your city better than a five-star restaurant. Make sure to take in all the hidden gems that contribute to your city’s unique story.
Places in Austin:
- Outdoor/Nature
- Activities
- Restaurants
- The Vortex (live theater, food trucks, and bar)
- Texas French Bread
- Vera Cruz Tacos
- El Tacquito
- Gus’ Fried Chicken
- Kerbey Lane
- Arturo’s Underground Cafe
- Don Japanese Kitchen
Exercise
If you’re looking for a more active way to spend your free time, exercise should be your go-to hobby. Aside from the typical weightlifter’s haven at your local gym, there are plenty of unique activities that can give you great opportunities to get up and get moving. Whether it’s taking a class or taking matters into your own hands, getting active can counter all those hours sitting in an office chair.
Even if exercise is typically the last thing on your list of things to do, with so many new workout classes you may even surprise yourself with how much fun you have. From kickboxing to bouldering, take your pick from a whole host of unique classes, and get prepared to sweat!
Places in Austin:
- Core Power Yoga
- Black Swan Yoga (donation based)
- Austin Boulder Project
- Kickboxing
- Indoor Surfing
- Circus
Get Spiritual
Another great way to elevate your happiness is by doing some good old fashioned soul searching. Taking some time to explore your spirituality can encourage you to stay rooted to a purpose as well as get you back on your feet during rough times. Visiting your local place of worship also provides you with a community that can encourage you to better yourself and the community around you. Not only do you get a group of people to help you be accountable for your spirituality, but you also get a community that will constantly encourage you to do good for those around you. Whether that’s volunteering every week or engaging in a simple act of kindness every once in a while, getting in touch with your spirituality can really help get you out of your routine funk.
Resources in Austin:
Join a team/league
If you aren’t too opposed to the routine lifestyle but are simply trying to add more balance into your schedule, joining a team or league is a great way to add some active fun into your calendar. Since teams and leagues are based around organized scheduling for games and practices, you won’t have to give up your tightly planned schedule. Whether it’s dance, basketball, or even kickball, pencil in some team time to your calendar to have fun, meet new people, and learn something new.
Resources in Austin:
Cultivate new relationships
If we’re honest with ourselves, life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows in every season. No matter what age you are, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to change things up to enrich your life. So how do you make sure you’re continually growing and truly content no matter what life throws at you? One of the best ways to generate happiness is to cultivate new, strong, and healthy relationships. The people you meet in your lifetime allow you to gain perspective and knowledge that you may have otherwise never encountered. We may not all have the flexibility to take a vacation and travel around the world, but we can always meet people who have experienced different things than us and learn from them. Sometimes it’s not always the places you’ve been that bring you the most happiness, but the people you meet along the way.