During these days of continuous job-search, one thing I have dedicated alot of my current time to is my hobbies; to which there are many. This is not only in order to find something meaningful to do, but also because dedicating time to something I like, or something I would like to learn, gives me a sense of joy and fulfillment that few other things can match.
As I’m sure many people are aware of, struggling to find work, and constantly sending in work-applications to no avail, can be a very emotionally draining process. I’ve been on the hunt for a year already, and despite Norway’s quite strict labour-laws regarding discrimination against disabled-workers, I’ve still been hit with discriminatory practices more times than I can count. It doesn’t help that I can’t work more than two full days a week, and my education means that my hourly rate is (also according to labour laws) – quite high. Thus, the amount of potential positions that I may even be remotely considered for, diminishes significantly.
Despite this, I’ve always had extremely high ambissions, and my identity – despite years of bullying, was anchored in the high self-image of a person with grand levels of self respect, high career drive, and someone not afraid to stand out from the masses. As a result, being hit with the reality that finding work would be astronomically more difficult than I would have ever suspected, took a huge toll on my ego – and on the way I saw my own worth. I felt ashamed. Not because I saw other people with disabilities as worth less than those who could work full time, but because my expectations of myself has always been put at such a high place it is impossible to reach.
So, as I was finishing my graduate-degree, I lost a sense of purposeful routine, which lead to stress, anxiety and financial pressure – all things bad for an epileptic who’s both a perfectionist and (at times) highly neurotic.
So as always I decided to take matters into my own hands, by mentally and emotionally engaging in a variety of joyful hobbies. Because, as I got to choose how to spend my time and energy , engaging in an activity I love to do had the ability to give back some of the power I felt like I’d lost after graduating.
After all, If it feels like your future is in someone else’s hands, trying to change anything for the better is pointless.
So I went after what I knew I could change. Ever since I was a child, leisure-activity has been a huge part of my family. My father, who’s an engineer used to play in a band – and still plays guitar, and takes photographs. My mother; an accountant by profession, would play piano, or paint (still does!). My baby sister who used to be a gymnast, recently learned how to knit (and she’s extremely good at it!). I on the other hand, have tried a different approach; of simply trying anything I might feel drawn too. Whether its playing piano, painting, writing, photography, ceramics, sowing or designing clothes – or even diy – I’ll try it, and see what sticks. I took a course in painting several years ago, and recently finished a course in ceramics. Now I’ll lever be a Da Vinci – as I couldn’t paint realistic figures if it would save my life; but I’m not mad about it. Instead I find the mixing and matching of colours and shapes highly soothing, and it’s good to be able to paint if I were to ever need or want a large artpiece. Ceramics is in a similar fashion. While it’s my latest obsession, and I dedicate a day each week to work at an actual studio, my current makings are very basic. Once again I find it highly soothing, and very practical as a hobby, as I get so invested in the feeling of clay in my hands, that my epilepsia tends to calm down a bit.
Image by
Andreea Popa
@Unsplash
My absolute latest hobby is in sewing. One of my workout friends came to over during easter to teach me, and the quirks of sewing is something that came very easy to me, once I was taught how the sowing machine actually worked (I definately have that from my grandma!) Now while I definately like doing it, as hobby sewing is something I chose mainly out of practicality, in order to keep my clothes longer, and fitting better. They may not look as perfect as if I were a professional tailor, but that’s fine. At least I am doing something with my time that is neither overstimulative for my daily fatigue nor too boring for when I feel highly creative.
Either way, regardless of what it is, engaging in an activity that I love is for me a pure joy. Many of these hobbies includes not only nurturing a passion, but also building a skill that may or may not lead to further career opportunities later in life. My thought of the matter is as such; best case scenario; I get really good, and can start multiple side gigs that is enough to keep me afloat. Worst case scenario; I hate it all, and nothing comes of it. If so, that’s ok. At least I know how to do x, y, z should I ever need to.
So if you have the ability, choose hobbies! They release dopamine while simultaneouly reducing cortisol levels. Similarly, as with any creative outlet, hobbies provide a safe space for self-expression, emotional regulation and self-reflection; all things nesessary for a healthy mental state.
Some hobbies are also a wonderful way for the slightly socially awkward amongs us to make connections and build communities. While I’ve personally never found a hobby with the intention to make friends, I know several people who have done so. Whether we’re talking book-clubs, knitting-groups, language-courses (etc), building connection through common interests can often be the beginning of decades-long friendships.
So! While struggling to find work can dim your outlook, hobbies can reignite your inner spark. They are not distractions from your goals, they are lifelines to your well-being. Let yourself enjoy them without guilt. Because, In these moments of joy, you may find clarity, resilience and a new way path forward.
– According to Silje
