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Learning a new skill is one of the fastest ways to boost self-esteem, get social, and broaden your horizons, but many people are reluctant to put themselves out there for it. In particular, they may be fearful of being judged, especially if they aren’t yet confident in their ability to perform the skill they’re trying out. Some suffer from social anxiety and are worried about interacting with others while they learn, which can negatively affect their ability to perform or enjoy their hobby.
Fortunately, there are several different options when it comes to finding a new skill or hobby, and just as many ways to learn them. With technology as advanced as it is, you don’t have to rely on traditional methods to learn something new. If you’re unsure about being in a class setting, simply find a tutorial on YouTube or do some research online and learn along at home. When you’re ready to be social, you can always look for a class or group that meets nearby.
Keep reading for some great tips on how learning a new skill or hobby can help you.
Make New Connections
Whether you choose to learn your new skill online or in person, you’ll be making new connections with like-minded people. You might spend time with them in a group chat or in a traditional classroom setting; you might forge new friendships that last a lifetime. Taking on a new skill and becoming passionate about it can help you boost your self-confidence, reduce anxiety and stress, and battle loneliness or social anxiety.
Change Your Life
Learning how to do something new can help you in small ways, but it can also significantly change your life, reports Geekly Digest, especially if you truly are passionate about it. You might even begin to make money from it, depending on your skill level and what the product is. Many people have found success in opening up their own store on sites like Etsy, where you can sell handmade products such as artwork and furniture.
Strengthen Your Brain
According to HuffPost, those new connections you’ll be making won’t just be limited to friendships; your brain will be making them, too, and strengthening cognitive skills that could last a lifetime. Hobbies such as photography force the brain to think in different paths than it usually does, but only if the hobby is something that pushes or tests you. Look for something challenging that will keep you interested; otherwise, you may be wasting your time.
Help Yourself Recover
“One of the hardest parts of being in recovery is feeling like you’re alone, or feeling uncomfortable around others while you’re in a fragile emotional state. Having a hobby can help you set the tone of your social encounters as well as keep them short and sweet; make a date with a friend to go for a swim or head to a DIY pottery class together,” explains DrugRehab.org. Finding a common thread with someone who knows what you’re going through can help you feel less alone in the world and help you strengthen your social connections. For more info on how having a hobby can benefit you during recovery, click here.
Learning a new skill or adopting a new hobby can help you change your life for the better, in many ways. It may be daunting or overwhelming at first, but if you take your time and avoid putting pressure on yourself, you’ll have fun with it and find new ways to cope with negative feelings, which can be a huge boost for your mental health.
Guest article courtesy of
Julie Morris
Life and Career Coach
