Hobbies Count: Growing Joy

As you look ahead to your 2026, consider setting a simple but powerful intention: explore a hobby, or return to one that once lit you up. Hobbies are not just ways to fill free time—they can shape your happiness, your creativity, and even how you think about money. Engaging in activities you love, like painting, cooking, sports, or travel, has a real impact on your well-being. People who actively participate in hobbies tend to feel more joy, more calm, and more energy in their daily lives. 

Here’s the surprising part: hobbies have a financial side, too. When you invest time and resources in something meaningful, it can teach you how to manage money, prioritize spending, and even discover new ways to generate income. Whether it is budgeting for supplies, finding free or low-cost ways to experiment, or eventually turning a passion into a side hustle, hobbies offer both personal satisfaction and practical skills. Some hobbies—like cultural arts, sports, and travel—can even bring measurable value to your life in ways that go beyond just enjoyment.

The key is participation, not just observation. Actively engaging in a hobby—rather than only watching or following along—boosts happiness and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Hobbies also create social connections, reduce stress, and strengthen your confidence. Over time, making space for small, intentional moments of enjoyment can increase your overall life satisfaction, while also teaching you how to invest in yourself wisely, both emotionally and financially.

Research continues to show that hobbies support well-being across the lifespan. While a study published in Nature Medicine focused on adults, the benefits it highlighted apply broadly. Participants who reported having hobbies also reported better health, greater happiness, fewer symptoms of depression, and higher life satisfaction over time. The researchers noted that hobbies often include creativity, sensory engagement, self-expression, relaxation, and cognitive stimulation, all of which are linked to positive mental health at any stage of life.

This year, give yourself permission to play, explore, and invest in the things that make you feel alive. Your hobbies are more than just a pastime—they are a way to grow, recharge, and even sharpen your financial savvy as you prioritize yourself.

Here are practical, approachable points focused on how to find a hobby and make it part of your life:

• Start with curiosity, not commitment. Choose something that sounds interesting, not something you feel pressure to be good at.
• Look at what already brings you energy. Pay attention to activities that make time pass quickly or leave you feeling lighter afterward.
• Use what you already have. Holiday gifts, old supplies, or free community resources can be easy entry points.
• Try short experiments. Give an activity two or three sessions before deciding whether it fits.
• Follow enjoyment over productivity. A hobby should feel restorative, not like another task to manage.
  

As you explore different hobbies, pay attention to how your body and mood respond, noticing which activities leave you feeling calmer, lighter, or more energized. Create a simple rhythm by returning to what you enjoy in small, repeatable ways, whether that means setting aside a few minutes a day or carving out time once a week— then give yourself permission for your interests to evolve, knowing that what fits in one season of life may naturally shift in another. Most importantly, let it be enough. A hobby does not need to lead anywhere or turn into something productive because enjoyment itself is the goal.

There is still time to join us at the Stacked Intent Rediscover Yourself Intentional Self Retreat this March. Together, we will slow down, reflect, and discover or rediscover our intentional selves through guided experiences, meaningful conversations, and practical resources you can carry with you long after the retreat ends. This is an invitation to create space for clarity, connection, and purpose, and to step forward with intention into your season ahead.