Embracing Hobbies

The problem with starting a business out of a hobby is that it leaves you with no hobby.  I realized this a couple years ago after asking myself: “What is that I do for fun?”

I used to play with paper for fun.  And, then it became my side business.  And, then it became my real business.  And, then I had no hobby.  I also realized that because I was used to doing this on my “free time”, that my business had started to consume all my “free time”.  And, I was left with no free time.  There was no free time to pursue said hobbies.

It was a vicious cycle!

So, I forced myself to think of hobbies.  What did I enjoy doing other than making stationery?  How did I spend my time before I had my business? I like to travel but I could hardly make that a realistic (or affordable) hobby.  I like to go out with friends to dinner and drinks.  But this would make me gain 50 lbs, spend too many dollars, and force me into a few too many hangovers.

ACK – I have no hobbies!

This was a serious reality check for me.  Why did this matter?  Why did I HAVE to have hobbies? At first I tried to tell myself it didn’t matter.  I loved working and I was good at it.  But, this isn’t healthy.  I think if all you have to do is work, then it makes for a very dull one-dimensional person.  It makes for a boring dinner guest.  It makes for a poor business-owner.  It makes for a poor artist.  It also makes for burn-out in the long run.  Having outlets outside of your business (even if you LOVE what you do) is important.

And, so I took some months in exploring these ideas.  Whenever I found myself truly enjoying the moment, I made a mental note, “I love doing this.  This is a great hobby!”  And, soon enough I had two or three things that became my hobbies.  OR – I should say – they were always my hobbies.  I just forgot that I liked to do them so much.  I became reacquainted with things that I love to do outside of my business.

So, now, I firmly embrace these hobbies.  My favorite one is going to the movies.  I try to go weekly if I can.  I’ve made it as important as getting my work done.  It feeds my soul as much as it does my business.

How about you?  What are your hobbies?