The old adage rings ever true: "Find three hobbies you love — one to make you money, one to keep you in shape and one to express your creativity." To achieve a sense of fulfillment, we must find activities to participate in outside of our careers and home lives. But, finding the time and energy for three separate hobbies can be overwhelming. Nevertheless, as the new year kicks into full swing, we should all be mindful of allowing ourselves a little downtime. Hey, maybe you will get lucky and find a creative hobby that you love doing that also fills your pockets with some extra cash!
Do you have any great hobbies? Tell us about them!
Creative Hobbies
These kinds of hobbies are usually the easiest to start and the quickest to be forgotten. Expressing your creative side, in whatever form it manifests, is vital. 2020 has a lot to offer creative enthusiasts. So, do not fret if you aren't in touch with your emotions — there are always surprising pathways to self-awareness.Bullet Journaling
Bullet journaling was the creative hobby for 2019. Pinterest boards were littered with journal prompts and how-to guides. This expressive hobby is so much fun, we declare it officially past trendy fad stage. Bullet journaling is the new way to organise your life, in the most creative way possible. While it does take dedication, the rewards are ample. Our favourite way to bullet journal is with inky doodles and colour charts. If paint is your medium of choice, we recommend using watercolours to decorate the pages of your organiser. For those of you unfamiliar with the bullet journal, visit your nearest Exclusive Books store or their online shop to find a range of helpful guides.Open Dance Classes
Conquer your New Year's resolutions by investing time in a 'get fit' creative hobby, such as dance. Whether it's an open ballet class or toe stomping tap, dance is an excellent way to shed those extra Christmas kilos while expressing your creative side. But, you need not spend a fortune on dance lessons or a hefty gym membership. Many of Joburg's theatre spaces offer free open classes to anyone with an interest in dance. The physical and mental health benefits of dance certainly outweigh the effort you need to put into getting started, so what are you waiting for?Green Fingers Gardening
We know that gardening may not be everyone's first choice of creative past time. But believe us, it's worth giving a shot. The latest gardening hobby trend is growing your own avocado tree (don't blame the millennial fetish — avos are ridiculously expensive.) With the water crisis becoming our new reality, more gardeners are also turning to uprooting their gardens in favour of succulent plants. Consider nurturing a potted cactus to begin your venture into full scale gardening. Apartment dwellers, fear not. Urban gardening is a major trend that is likely to expand in 2020, as eco-friendly city living is the new norm.
Money Making Hobbies
Photography
Photography doubles as a creative and money-making hobby. Whether you snap great visuals on your smartphone, or are invested in buying yourself the best DSLR model, this is a wonderful way to pass your time. Being a good photographer means learning to balance your creativity with the analytic principles of composition. This may take years of practice to perfect, so get snapping. Once you have mastered the skill, advertise your talents on social media networks. What started out as a hobby may turn into a full-time job. Check out our list of Instagram worthy venues in Joburg to get started on your visual portfolio.Pull On Those Apron Strings
If you are lucky enough to be blessed with a talent in the kitchen, why not put it to good use this year? Take your cooking aspirations to the next level by turning your hobby into a part-time business. Whether its baking gooey chocolate brownies to sell at a local market, pickling your own cucumbers or making a weird and wonderful assortment of jams; cooking and baking are both rewarding and can be profitable in the long run. Never used a spatula before? Or, set flame to your kitchen making toast? Make 2020 the year you learn to cook! You can either risk doing DIY lessons at home or attend a beginner's class at the PnP Good Food Studio on Nicol. Either way, we are sure you will be cooking up a storm by the time the end of the year rolls around.Design Your Own T-Shirt Range
T-shirts never go out of style. Designing and printing your own brand of quirky tees has also never been easier. To start, grab an old t-shirt from your closet. Play around with adding appliques, cutting and dying the fabric. Alternatively, sketch your ideas or invest in computerised design software to help you map out your creative musings. Visit the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg to truly understand the versatility and range of fabrics out there. Make sure to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds. (Pro tip: The staff at Moosa's Fabrics on the second floor of the Plaza are always willing to advise newbie clothing makers.)
Keeping Fit
Park Run
Park Run take place all around the city. These events are safe, well-organised and competitively friendly. People of all fitness levels and ages are welcome to participate. If gym really isn't your cup of tea (or coffee), and you are in dire need of a little Joburg sunshine, sign up at your nearest Park Run. You can rope in a bunch of your friends to join you, or if you are more of a lone wolf, create a playlist to keep you motivated along the way. Making playlists may even become a hobby of its own - music lovers will attest that there should be one for every occasion.Run/Walk For Life
Embrace the Joburg outdoors and join Run/Walk For Life. This scientific-based exercise programme is tailored to your personal fitness level, helping you achieve your goals at a steady pace. Plus, you will be allocated into a group of people with the same fitness level, so no one is left behind. Classes take place three times a week, for 30 minutes each, within safe and secure perimeters around the city. Run/Walk For Life members also regularly participate in marathons and group runs. So, not only will you be investing in a new hobby, but making friends and pushing your limits along the way.Scuba Diving Lessons
Even though we have no seas or beaches in Joburg, many of us love the water. Instead of spending hours lounging in the pool, push yourself to learn a new skill. The Urban Dive Centre in Northcliff offers scuba diving lessons. They will start you out in the heated pool at their premises, before moving you on to open water training. After acquiring your diver certification, sign up for one of their many diving trips on offer. They even have an underwater photography course! You'll be the ultimate triple threat hobbyist with your creative underwater photography portfolio.
Do you have any great hobbies? Tell us about them!
