Rediscovering Joy

In today's fast-paced world filled with adult responsibilities, bills, and deadlines, many people are rediscovering the simple pleasures of childhood hobbies. The idea behind this is if an activity once brought you comfort as a child, it may still have the same calming effect in adulthood, said Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a licensed clinical psychologist and emerita professor of psychology at California State University, Los Angeles.

Dr. Durvasula noted that as technology has become an integral part of life, adults tend to neglect nonelectronic creative outlets that once brought them joy. Many childhood hobbies are naturally immersive and hands-on, which can help adults disconnect from screens and reduce anxiety. Activities like drawing or assembling puzzles promote mindfulness and can provide a break from the constant noise of modern life. One person who recently rekindled a childhood hobby is Oona Varga, age 22, who spent her childhood ice skating in the winters and roller skating during the summers. She recalled, "As a kid, I used to imagine I was in an '80s movie while I skated. I loved feeling the wind flow through my hair." But as Varga entered her early teens, skating gradually vanished from her routine. She recently bought a nice pair of skates and rekindled her passion, and now welcomes the playfulness and freedom it brings to her daily life.

Unlike work tasks, hobbies are usually low-stakes and high-reward. Engaging in hands-on activities such as origami, knitting, puzzling, pickleball, pottery, or scrapbooking fosters what psychologists refer to as a sense of efficacy: the enjoyment that comes from practicing a skill and accomplishing a task. In addition, hobbies often stimulate parts of the brain that don't get used in daily routines - but that doesn't mean it is useless. Playing music, crafting, or even gaming can improve problem-solving skills, memory, and spatial awareness.

Most importantly, people need to focus on setting realistic expectations to keep the activity enjoyable, Dr. Durvasula said. "When we make things as adults, we want to do them perfectly. We want the loaf of bread to come out looking artisanal, we want to be like [Rudolf] Nureyev if we take a ballet class or we want to paint like [Mark] Rothko... but just the act of holding the brush and painting a canvas is really special." Approaching hobbies for personal enjoyment, rather than with the pressure to monetize, be perfect, or gain social media validation, keeps them lighthearted and fulfilling.

Maybe you dream of playing a game of community kickball or softball, hosting a board game night, joining a local chess club or book club, or singing karaoke tunes. Because hobbies can bring like-minded people together, rediscovering a hobby will often lead to new social connections. If you are having a hard time finding an established group, invite a friend to join you. Or if you're a parent or grandparent, try sharing the hobby with a child for some extra bonding time.

Think about a childhood hobby you once loved but left behind as you grew up and got busier. No matter what calls to you, there's a reason you feel drawn to these childhood activities; there is something deeply grounding about returning to what once made us happy. These hobbies can reconnect us with our younger selves and remind us of who we are beyond our adult roles. Dr. Stuart Brown, a psychiatrist and founder of the National Institute for Play, added that each morning when people look in the mirror, they should ask themselves, "How am I going to play today?" Take steps to incorporate one thing into your calendar in the next month. You might be surprised at the benefits playfulness adds to your life!