I am what you would call a “high-strung” individual. I thrive on routines and I am someone who always needs to know what’s going on in order to feel happy and secure. Uncertainty is my enemy. If you’re high-strung, you are often categorized as “uptight,” “competitive” or “impatient,” but I like to thing we’re just very ambitious and goal-oriented 😊.
When you’re someone who thrives off of productivity and accomplishments, the idea of “downtime” can feel daunting. I don’t know about you, but my ability to just sit and watch a movie is almost non-existent because it feels counter-productive. But it’s important for high-strung people, like myself, to not overwork or burn out for the sake of being productive. You guys, we can have hobbies! We can have activities that bring us joy and rest without making us feel guilty for taking some downtime. Not all of these will work for everyone, but give them a try and see which one fits you best.
Paint By Numbers
Painting by numbers was often a kid’s project created to help children feel like a true artist, even without the natural skill. But these days, there are so many cool paint-by-number kits for adults and they’re incredibly fun. Paint by numbers allows you to zone out and get into a creative flow, even if you have zero artistic ability. And in the end, you have a stunning piece of art that you can be proud of!
Puzzles
Listening to podcasts and doing a puzzle is my ultimate form of relaxation. I don’t really enjoy silence when I’m working on things, so podcasts are a great way for me to tune in and out audibly while working on something in front of me. I can spend hours working on a puzzle without even realizing it. It’s almost like you get into a sort of trance. And the beauty of puzzles is that there are millions to choose from and all different styles and levels.
Aikido
Aikido is an ancient Japanese martial art technique for self-improvement and self-defense. Aikido is a combination of three Japanese words AI (harmony), KI (spirit), do (way). It’s all about defensive techniques and no retaliations are done. You can learn to defend yourself in dangerous situations, or teach your kids for establishing a sound self-confidence, and adults can seek ideology of peace and friendship.
Rockhounding
My great-grandpa was a rockhound and I find it fascinating. Cracking open a rock and finding crystals inside? Magic! Amateur geology or rock collecting/rockhounding is collecting rocks, minerals and fossils from the natural environment. It is a great hobby to learn about geology in a fun way and also to get you outdoors and exploring.
Making Herbariums
If you are a nature-lover or an aesthete, you will find it very easy to make a herbarium and will probably find it quite soothing and enjoyable. A herbarium is a collection of dried plants that are glued on a rigid support and identified with labels bearing the scientific name of the species, its English name, the region where it was picked, the harvest date, its utility if any (medicinal, edible, etc.) and the name of the picker. Collected species can be classified by name, region or any other category that you will determine as your collection evolves.
Block Printing
Block printing is a fun and creative way of reusing old materials to make something new and show off your artistic flair. It’s an ancient practice for making art and printing textiles, originating in Far East Asia. The earliest surviving examples in China date to before 220 AD and remained the most common method in the region for printing books an images up until the 19th century. Who knows, you might become so good at it you have a new side business on your hands!
Pickleball
OK, hear me out here. Whether you are in search of a family activity or in need of some exercise, pickleball is super fun. One thing that makes it an exceptional hobby is that pickleball can be enjoyed by people of all sizes, ages and athletic abilities. Moreover, you don’t have to be a mastermind of an athletic god to learn the sport.
