Let's Talk About Adulting
By Kaitlyn Ender
Let's Talk About... Hobbies & Fun
While topics like relationships, independence, and confidence are important to touch on for emerging adulthood, I couldn't help but create a category about hobbies and what people enjoy doing for fun! It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, especially when joining the workforce or getting a college education. When it comes down to it, our hobbies and interests are what keep us energized and fulfilled, so it's important to talk about them! Hobbies can be a way for emerging adults to cope with stressors or bond with friends during emerging adulthood. Keep reading to see how emerging adults have fun!
Wisteria, an 18-year-old interested in painting and the outdoors…
I like to paint. I went from drawing to painting. I love going outdoors and going on adventures and exploring. my friend Kaiti and I went and explored all the little shops downtown. We saw cool antiques, and super creepy stuff in an “odditorium.”
Daffodil, a 22-year-old aspiring teacher and sports lover…
I used to love sports but now I just like being active in other ways (hiking, swimming, bike riding). I also love volunteering for organizations and am a leader at Young Life.
Cosmo, an 18-year-old incoming college student and creator of art and music…
I have many hobbies! I love watching movies, hanging out with friends and family, and creating art. I would say my favorite types of art to create are paintings, drawings, music, and poetry. I’ve been very passionate about music and art since I was 13 years old and I believe I will continue to create for the rest of my life. It’s really helped me through my teenage years because it’s a great way to express myself and is a very cathartic and therapeutic act.
Snowdrop, a 22-year-old aspiring wildland firefighter and lover of the outdoors…
I just enjoy being outdoors. I like shooting a lot, from clays to just paper targets. I have an electronic long board I ride during the summertime. My hobbies change as I get more money to buy new things. I enjoy wood burning as well and making new things.
Dahlia, a 20-year-old English major working at her college’s writing center…
I love singing and I don’t sing as much around my friends here because one time one of them told me to shut up and since then I’ve just been embarrassed so I don’t anymore. I read and write a lot usually, and I’ve kept that (the writing part) up. I have a new story idea I’m proud of and I want my grandma to read it, and she hasn’t read anything I’ve written since I was really little, so I’m really excited for that moment. I also bake more too which I love. The same grandma taught me everything I know about baking so it makes me feel close to her even though she’s far away.
Dahlia, I'm sorry that your friend told you to shut up and stop singing, that is not nice at all. I actually love to sing as well, but I am very shy about it. I was in choir all throughout middle and high school and I really enjoyed being able to perform in a group. I would encourage you to keep singing and to share your talents with the world! Don't let one person stop you from doing what you love. They were probably just jealous of your talent.
I'm so excited that you're planning to share your story idea with your grandma, I'm sure she'll be so proud of you! I love writing but I struggle to keep myself motivated, so I hope I can be more like you and make myself write often!
Blossom, a 20-year-old art-lover living at home…
I think exploring as many things as possible!!!! For me, I love to paint to relax. I like to draw to get ideas out, and work slowly and steadily on a piece of art, bit by bit, whenever I feel like it. I like to write stories. Watch movies. I like to read books. All of those things help me enormously when I feel like I'm in a rut. I also think that makeup/fashion/jewelry is SO FUN!!! I was never into it before! I mean I was, but like... in a different way. Now I see it as a way to actually express myself, rather than makeup to "look awake" and jewelry/fashion as just... clothes. Y'know?! During this time of my life I've really gotten into that kinda stuff. Rearranging your room... organizing drawers... sometimes boring things like that are fun. Getting coffee just to talk around Target for like 10 minutes. Also video games!!! I think video games are so so so fun and they've always been a major stress reliever for me, too! Lesson: Explore!!
YES Blossom! I am so on the same page about fashion and beauty; it is such a great form of self-expression and can really be a confidence booster! I also love just walking around stores to browse- it's such a relaxing and fun activity!
Orchid, a 20-year-old direct care worker and fan of thriller novels...
When I was a kid I absolutely loved reading. I would read through books pretty quickly and I would always read in my free time. Early into high school I stopped reading for fun. It wasn’t until maybe a year or two ago that I started getting into reading again. I absolutely love thriller/suspense novels.
Orchid, that's so awesome that you enjoy reading! I've been really wanting to get into reading for fun again; I felt like I didn't have time during college but now I'm going to try and integrate reading into my daily life! The book I am about to start is called "We Were Liars."
My perspective...
Recently, I started bike riding while visiting my mom. Her neighborhood is really nice because there are plenty of sidewalks and very little traffic. It's my new favorite hobby because it allows me to appreciate the nature around me. I also find that I am not thinking about my problems while riding my bike. This activity gives me the opportunity to be truly present in the world around me, which is something I need now more than ever.
I also really enjoy being creative. Whether it's painting on canvas, taking photos, or creating outfits, I really love how I'm able to use creativity to express myself in many forms. I enjoy painting a lot when I make sure I'm not being a perfectionist about it. When I can just relax and be okay with making mistakes, it's really freeing. Photography is fun for me because I love capturing moments in time to look back on. I also enjoy being photographed because it makes me feel confident (I love planning fun photoshoot concepts!) Fashion has been one of my favorite interests during emerging adulthood; I love putting outfits together that make me feel confident and allow me to express myself.
Another thing I love is traveling and seeing new things. I never really traveled outside of my home state of Michigan growing up. In the past few years, I've been able to visit my mom as she's moved around the country. I absolutely love seeing new places; it makes me realize how big the world is. I hope to continue traveling in the future!
My favorite thing ever is to spend time with family and friends! I love playing board games with my grandparents, binge-watching tv shows with my brother, and going out with friends. I miss socializing a lot and can't wait to get back into the world once I'm fully vaccinated!
Sunflower, a 20-year-old workout enthusiast majoring in biochemistry…
I love to workout, watch YouTube/movies, build with Legos, hike, cook, bike ride, and just overall explore; I love being outside! My hobbies and overall fun interests have stayed pretty consistent over time, I started getting into powerlifting and working out during my senior year of high school and have done so since then, I've always loved movies and YouTube and nature since I was young. I hope to hike every single national park one day! I love to travel, too and I'm hoping to travel to all 50 states one day!
Sunflower, we have so many hobbies in common! I also love watching YouTube and movies! Some of my favorite movies are Grease, Pretty in Pink, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and Aquamarine (just rewatched this one, it is such a childhood classic!) I also really want to travel to all 50 states; I think this is a common desire for many emerging adults because we're so excited to get out of our home towns and see the world!
Violet, a 17-year-old that loves drawing and is planning to attend community college...
For fun nowadays, I love to embroider, write, play piano, play on my switch, do my makeup, draw, and paint. Basically, I love doing anything intricate that involves my hands. I’ve always loved drawing and painting, and I definitely think those have helped spawn my other hobbies. I love my hobbies since they’re all things I can improve on. I love the satisfaction of finishing a drawing or other project, and I love learning new things and techniques to help me get better. Looking back at my older work motivates me to do better, and its refreshing to see how far I’ve come.