Creative hobbies

The arts can involve anything from creative writing, music, performing arts, drawing, photography and many more. The arts are often unappreciated and not seen as "important" and other hobbies like sports, or more academic subjects at school. In my opinion this is very wrong as creative subjects are just as important as any others. 

Many hobbies, especially the arts can be extremely useful for many reasons. Taking up a new hobby can:
-Help you to deal with stress
By giving yourself something new to focus on, you will find that your mind will clear for a while. Hobbies also gives you a time where you don't have to think about work and school, or anything that is happening in your life outside of your hobby. This can also reduce anxiety. 

- Help you make new friends
Although at first you might not think you will get along with most of the people, without even realising you will discover that you probably share other interests with them as well as your hobby. Your hobby will also give you something to talk about which will help you to form new friendships!

-give you something new to challenge yourself 
If you're not very confident in yourself, a hobby can help you by giving you new challenges for you to achieve. Setting small and achievable goals for yourself can really help with your self esteem, which will reflect in other areas of your life too! 

My experience with starting a new hobby has really changed my attitude and made me much more open to trying new things! Last year I started getting involved with performing arts and drama. At first I only went because my friend wanted me too and it was very scary and I felt stupid, but everyone was so nice and friendly that I soon got over that! They also made sure not to pressure into performing or do anything I wasn't comfortable with. Now, my friend ended leaving my drama class, but I ended up staying! This was because I have made so many new friends, and they are all people I didn't even know before! A year ago I would have never imagined that I would end up being so much more confident, developing a new interest which will stay with me for the rest of my life, and making some amazing new friends!

If you are looking to start a hobby, try asking your friends if they do anything you can join. If not, try asking parents and teachers, and check what's going on after school! Don't be afraid of going alone, but if you want you can always ask a friend to tag along, because being a room full of people you don't know can be scary! Also don't be afraid to talk to people, you never know who you could end up meeting. You might end up with a friend for life! Another tip is don't feel like you have to be really good at your chosen hobby, there are lots of beginner clubs and hobbies which aren't competitive! For some hobbies, like photography and art, you don't even need to join a class or club. You can start a hobby at home! 

Keeping yourself busy with a new hobby can be really beneficial to your physical and mental health, and gives you some time to be doing something you love! Never be afraid to try something new!

​Ella