Life is all about balance. Everything in moderation; too much of one thing is never good, no matter what it is. It can be hard to maintain such a steady lifestyle. An equilibrium in our days. We get busy with our jobs and the errands we need to run. The never-ending list of chores we feel compelled to complete, lists that have no end in sight. Our waking hours get bogged down. Things we want to do and activities we want to take part in become a second priority- or not at all. They find their way to the bottom of the list, untouched and dust-covered. 

It becomes even more difficult to find time to indulge in our enjoyment when we enter a relationship. In the beginning, everything is new and fresh. It’s exciting, this new person. We want to spend all of our time with them, share every moment we have with them. We want to do everything together. Our love and attraction towards them grows day by day, and with that, our willingness to abandon our own interests to stay by their side. Our souls become one, our bodies merging together. What was once two individual minds has slowly consolidated into one. We renounce the person we were prior to entering this new partnership and center our universe around them. 

Such a thing is normal, though, in the early days and months of a relationship. It becomes troublesome, however, when we allow ourselves to get sucked into our relationship and forget who we are as individuals. We are our own person, with our own likes and dislikes. Our own interests and concerns. It’s crucial to continue fostering that independence within ourselves and to remember to give ourselves care and love as we do for our partner. Keeping up with our hobbies helps maintain that balance between ourselves in and out of our relationship. 

One For You, One For Me

Keeping up with time for ourselves is crucial for our mental well-being. It’s easy to get sucked into a relationship or consumed by a friendship, but we forget sometimes that at the end of the day, all we have is ourselves. And we have to make sure that our minds and our bodies are healthy and in good shape. 

The question of “are hobbies important?” is an easy one. Having a hobby provides many benefits in all aspects of life. Hobbies help improve mental strength and intelligence. They broaden the scope of knowledge and aid in expanding what we know, while entertaining us. They help with physical health and wellness, with emotional regulation and joy. They can offer a sense of purpose and create a routine and structure in people’s lives. 

Hobbies provide an outlet for stress. They foster creativity and curiosity, both of which are crucial to the mind. Trying new things, exploring outside of the comfort zone, is very valuable to one’s personal growth. Staying stagnant, doing the same thing repeatedly, impacts our emotional and mental health greatly. We feel bored. Stuck. Our minds are staying in one place and not moving around. Such a lifestyle can lead to depression or decreased confidence. 

Partaking in independent activities is also vital to your brain. Hobbies do a great job of challenging the brain, creating new neural connections and pathways. New experiences are a source of dopamine in our minds, the neurotransmitter that makes us feel happy. When engaging in such activities, not only are we scientifically making ourselves happy, but we are also growing our minds and decreasing the possibilities of reduced cognitive functions. 

Hobbies are also greatly significant in not becoming co-dependent on your partner. Doing your own thing, having fun, and succeeding on your own, gives you a sense of purpose and belonging. Knowing that you are capable of achieving such a thing, whatever your hobby of choice may be, is a great method to increase self-esteem and confidence. 

They also provide a community and a way to connect socially with those around you. Even when you enter a relationship, it’s still important to continue to grow and socialize with others, and make sure you have a group outside of just your partner. Having people to call your own minimizes the chances of unhealthy dependence and attachments to your partner, and can improve your mental health. Leaning on only one individual for your emotional, social, and mental needs can be damaging and could possibly lead to a sense of dislike towards your partner. 

One For Us

When trying to build a life beyond your partner, feelings of guilt might arise. That you’re not spending enough time with them. That they might be lonely. They might try to tell you that once you’re in a relationship, you are supposed to do everything together. You might even begin to question whether hobbies are of any importance.  

However, hobbies and independent activities strengthen a relationship. Part of any healthy relationship, romantic or not, is being able to assert boundaries between two people. Understanding that exploring away from your partner is not a betrayal, but a necessity. 

Prioritizing yourself and your mental health will inevitably lead to a healthy and successful relationship. It will allow you to grow into the best version of yourself, one that is steady and reliable, one that can be a good partner and shoulder to lean on. We all deserve to have things that bring us joy, and cutting them out for the sake of your relationship will harm you and your relationship with your partner. 

Of course, you can engage in hobbies with your partner, as well. Having activities you share, alongside independent ones, can help bring you together. While encouraging personal success, they can give a feeling of togetherness and improve communication and bonding. Sharing hobbies can also create fun memories for the two and establish an overall air of happiness. 

So, the answer to the question “Are hobbies important?” is yes, for a plethora of reasons. Finding something to do that brings you joy outside of your partner is pivotal, and worth exploring. 

Do you have any hobbies? Let us know in the comments below!