We all get bored. But it doesn’t feel good to be bored all the time.

Many people turn to their hobbies when they want to get their minds or bodies moving.

The best part is that hobbies are consistent, even if you’re not. They’re there when you need something to do or are looking for some fun. It’s not a one-off party or single-day event — your hobby is here to stay.

Hobbies are a way to challenge yourself to get better at something that isn’t work or chores.

You can go from running a quarter mile to a whole marathon. You can become knowledgeable about all the world’s teas.

You can grow in everything from your physical well-being to creative abilities. You can begin to see the world in an entirely new way.

You’re never alone in doing a hobby, there’s always somebody somewhere doing the same thing. Hobbies are the common link and are connecting you to these people.

Discuss your shared hobby. Ask each other questions. Do the hobby together!

You can quickly go from fellow hobbyist to close friends. And sharing experiences with others who have a common interest is one of life’s greatest joys.

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge or become a better conversationalist, a hobby might help give you that edge.

But here’s the tricky part, you can’t force yourself to like a hobby, and you certainly shouldn’t take on a hobby to create an image of yourself that isn’t true to who you are. As suave as cigar smoking may be, if you don’t like the smell of smoke…you won’t like it. And forcing yourself to take this on as a hobby is a recipe for a bad time.

To learn more about taking on a hobby that meets your needs, check out “Understanding What You’re Looking for” in our resources section.