Crafting Lasting Joy: Three Factors That Deeply Impact Creative Pursuit
Thinking on my journey through various hobbies, I've realized certain factors played a significant role in why some hobbies stuck with me while others didn't. It's not just about enjoying the activity itself but also about whether the circumstances allowed for a habit to develop. While these factors aren't the only things that influence hobby choices, they do have a major impact and are worth considering.
Time
As the currency of modern life, time is something that most of us lack, preventing us from pursuing all the things we desire. What does this mean for a hobby? When time is scarce, you’re not looking into starting things that take too long to set up or to complete. On the other hand, if you have a lot of spare time, you may enjoy working on more intricate projects that last a while. During the lockdown, when all of us spent seemingly endless hours at home, I found myself with all the time in the world and started cross-stitching. A year later, I finally completed my first cross-stitching pattern. It was a large piece and took many hours to finish. I am not sure I would have stuck with it if I still had my normal social life. If you’re a very busy person, you may prefer to look into hobbies that offer a quick payoff and minimal setup to save on time.
Space
Space, an often-overlooked asset, plays an integral part in many hobbies. Having enough space can also make hobby work more efficient by removing the need to constantly pack and unpack your work, saving time on longer projects. There are two types of space to consider: storage space and workspace, sometimes you can have one and not the other. When I was living with my parents during the pandemic, there was no workspace where I could just leave my ongoing craft projects for days at a time. However, there was a lot of storage space available in cupboards and empty shelves. I was really into food photography at the time and was collecting a wide variety of props: cups, plates, wood boards, even plants and stones! During the day I could even set up photoshoots in their garden, pack it all away when I was done, then have the evening for photo editing at my small desk. Currently, I live in a one-bedroom apartment which puts a lot of constraints on my food photography possibilities because I can’t store a large inventory of props, making it much less appealing.
Money
The financial investment associated with a hobby often determines the extent to which one can delve into, or even pursue it at all! While most hobbies come with a price tag, some offer more flexibility for exploration than others. Cross-stitching is a good example of a hobby with minimal financial barriers, and a twenty-dollar kit can provide entertainment for months on end. On the other hand, pursuits like pottery may be financially prohibitive for many people. Furthermore, some hobbies that demand minimal investment up front may have greater financial requirements down the line if one wants to fully explore their depth. One thing I have always wanted to try is painting gigantic acrylic canvases. There is something about painting with big brushes and large areas of colours that I feel attracted to. However, bigger canvases can get expensive! They also require much more paint. I am sticking to smaller artworks until my budget allows me to experience a wider range of formats.
It may be that our ultimate hobby is the one we get into when all the above elements are aligned, but if we wait for that magical situation to arise, we’d never do anything at all. For many, it’s possible to find enjoyment in a wide range of activities, you just need to find the one that you can turn into a habit. Reflecting on the hobbies you’ve given up on, what were the issues that undermined your commitment to it long term ? Was it the lack of financial flexibility that held back your creativity, or the absence of space that made it a burdensome chore? By defining the parameters of your current situation[F5] : how much space is available to you and what type? How much money can you afford to put into your hobbies? How much time are you willing to dedicate to it? Answering these questions can help you find the interest that will be most likely to “stick” for a long time as it will easily blend into your situation instead of you having to go out of your way to add it into your life.