Creating Hobbies

On the joy of creating, and hobbies that can help us achieve it.

One of the strangest things is the act of creation.

You are faced with a blank slate—a page, a canvas, a block of stone or wood, a silent musical instrument.

You then look inside yourself. You pull and tug and squeeze and fish around for slippery raw shapeless things that swim like fish made of cloud vapor and fill you with living clamor. You latch onto something. And you bring it forth out of your head like Zeus giving birth to Athena.

And as it comes out, it takes shape and tangible form.

It drips on the canvas, and slides through your pen, it springs forth and resonates into the musical strings, and slips along the edge of the sculptor’s tool onto the surface of the wood or marble.

You have given it cohesion. You have brought forth something ordered and beautiful out of nothing.

You have glimpsed the divine.

Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

Creation is fulfilling and rewarding. When we engage in a creative activity, we are often able to express ourselves in unique and meaningful ways, tapping into our imagination and bringing our ideas to life. This can be a deeply satisfying experience, as we see our vision take shape and become a tangible reality. Creating something can also be a form of self-care, allowing us to focus on an activity we enjoy and providing a sense of accomplishment and pride in our work.

The act of creating can help us develop new skills and obtain new knowledge, as we experiment with different techniques and approaches to bring our ideas to fruition. Ultimately, the experience of creating something can be a powerful and transformative process, helping us to connect with ourselves and the world around us in meaningful and fulfilling ways.