It’s easy to fall into the trap of sticking to the one thing you’re good at instead of mixing things up and doing lots of things that interest you.
You work hard all day, invest all your time and energy into your main gig, and while you might have a list of things you’d like to do one day or skills you’d like to learn, they tend to sit on the back burner as your busy life takes priority.
You’re not alone in that struggle. DYLON Colour Catcher teamed up with Manchester City Women’s Football Club to host the ‘Up Close and Personal’ panel, where we found out that professional footballers find it tricky to make time for their hobbies, too. Just like the rest of us.
But they’re trying to get out of their comfort zone and make time for stuff that isn’t football – whether that’s learning a new language, watching interior design shows, or giving open water swimming a go – and they’re encouraging you to do the same.
Aoife Mannion, Janine Beckie, and Ellen White all say that making time for mixing it up and trying new things is a huge priority.
Ellen, who likes travelling with her husband and would like to start learning German in her downtime, points out the importance of taking a break from your day job – even if it’s something you’re really passionate about – to rest, recover, and discover new things.
We know that pursuing interests outside of work can do wonders for our mental health. DYLON Colour Catcher’s survey found that 45% of British people have hobbies specifically to reduce their stress. Just doing something that brings you joy can help block out a bad day at work and give you a sense of purpose beyond your office job.
Don’t worry – you don’t need to be magically brilliant at everything you try. In fact, doing something you’re not good at can be good for you.
When Aoife tried open water swimming, she quickly discovered just how tough a 400 metre splash in cold water can be. She won’t be trying that again any time soon, but she’s glad she did it.
‘I felt as if I’d really put myself out of my comfort zone,’ says Aoife. ‘There’s something in doing things you’re not good at – it gives you mental fortitude.’
She’s right – the process of trying, failing, and trying again is what shapes you as a person. Plus, the whole point of a hobby is to enjoy it, not to be the best.
Getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things lets you learn what you like and who you are. You’re more than just the job you do, and finding activities you love outside of work helps you develop a stronger sense of self.
Plus, you never know – you could end up turning your hobby into a side hustle, or learning skills that come into good use later on in life.
Footballers know they’re unlikely to play professionally into old age so trying different stuff can help the players figure out what they’d like to do once they’re done with footie and the same can apply to the rest of us, even if it’s just finding an activity you love, that’ll stay with you as you move through the stages of life.
What are the UK’s most popular hobbies?
DYLON Colour Catcher’s study found that 5 hobbies were particularly popular in the UK. How many of these do you enjoy?
1) Reading (57%)
2) Travelling (41%)
3) Gardening (37%)
4) Cooking/Baking (33%)
5) Football (25%)
Okay, so we know we should be taking that leap and doing things that scare us. How do we start?
First off, pick something you’ve always wanted to give a go. Yes, even if it’s intimidating. Yes, even if you think you’ll be terrible at it.
Then make the time. Write that hobby in your planner so it’s official. Book that class, download that language-learning app, message a pal to arrange that trip away. Whatever the first step is, go for it, knowing that your passions outside of work are important.
We’re serious about making your hobby a priority and not letting excuses to put it off take over.
The top thing that causes Brits to stop doing their hobbies is a lack of time, followed by a lack of finances and a lack of motivation. Preparation is key. Be aware that time may be tight, but make a commitment to yourself. Your interests are worth a set time each week and money factored into your budget.
Once you’ve tried it out for the first time (and made sure you actually enjoy your newfound hobby) it can be helpful to set a goal. And don’t be put off if you’re not instantly glorious at whatever you try. No one’s good at something on their first go.
Give yourself time to practice and improve, and allow yourself to do something you enjoy without needing to be the best.
‘Pick something and try it,’ says Janine. ‘If you don’t enjoy it, that’s one thing. It’s just to know that every day you go, you’re taking a step towards that goal or that end.’
Go on – take that jump and dare to mix things up.
Why you should dare to mix with DYLON Colour Catcher:
DYLON Colour Catcher is the UK’s number one laundry sheet, which you can throw in with mixed washes to keep colours from running – so you can bung your gym kit in with your workwear without worrying about everything going pink.
That means you don’t have to bother with separating your washes into whites and colours, saving time (so you can actually do those new hobbies we mentioned), water, energy, and detergent.
The sheets, which are 100% biodegradable, also help to keep colours bright and stop greying.
You can pick up a box from Asda, Sainsbury’s, or Waitrose, or get your hands on a free sample to give laundry sheets a try.
