Learning Hobbies

Introduction

On the importance of learning, and how hobbies can reignite our love of it.

Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results.John Dewey, Researcher of Education

Our early years are devoted almost entirely to learning, at least in principle. However, in our adult life we don’t usually pay much attention to learning; though, we should:

The speed of today’s changes calls for opportunities to learn throughout life, for individual fulfilment, social cohesion, and economic prosperity. Education can no longer be limited to a single period of one’s lifetime.
The right to lifelong learning: Why adult education matters | UNESCO

According to the UK Government Office for Science:

Learning is linked with the amount of exercise taken, life satisfaction, and better nutrition.
Learning fosters a sense of identity, an ability to cope, a feeling of purpose in life, and greater well-being.
Learning is associated with higher levels of interpersonal and social trust, social connections, and community engagement.
Learning fosters civic participation, in particular local involvement and volunteering.

But, above all, learning can be fun.So, why do we tend to neglect learning as adults? One reason might be that while learning can be fun, our learning experience might not have been:

We are educating people out of their creative capacities.Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity? | TED Talk

Schools are, more often than not, formal, frontal, passive and impersonal. And for this, some of us became alienated from the concept of learning.As adults, through hobbies, we can reconnect with our passion, interest, curiosity and creativity. Hobbies can help us reignite and foster a lifelong journey of learning and self development and fulfillment.