Opinion by RuthieBarrett

From reading, baking, crocheting, practicing magic and making ice cream, I have never had a shortage of hobbies.  Although I might worry my parents with my constant stream of new hobbies, I find it to be a form of self-discovery. 

In the first or second grade, I took up the art of crocheting. My grandma had brought some needles and yarn on her previous visit and I was immediately hooked (get the pun?). I created a chain of pink and orange yarn and attached it to a barrette.

 I had a vision, and I would say I executed it perfectly: I had made my own homemade feather. It was all the rage. However, this hobby soon died along with the feather-in-the-hair trend. 

My next interest was cooking, and I was dead set on going to culinary school to become a better version of Gordon Ramsey. I watched “Pioneer Woman” like it was my religion and looked through every cookbook I could find in my house. I made Pioneer Woman’s chicken pot pie and called it a day. Onto the next hobby, I thought. 

My magician phase convinced me that all I needed in life was a one-way ticket to Vegas. I was bound for stardom. I learned to make a bunny disappear so well that I even had my parents fooled. Unfortunately, they shot my dreams down quickly and told me that maybe Vegas wasn’t the right place for a 10-year-old, but I still beg to differ. 

As I have grown and my hobbies have come and gone, I have started to realize the gifts and skills each one has provided me. 

The first thing I learned is that there is never a bad time to try something new. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone can often be hard, but finding hobbies can be a good way to edge yourself into new things.

The things I have learned from each hobby have offered me some benefit later in life. For example, my sewing and crocheting hobby has aided me during Field Week’s costumes committee.

Although cooking was just a hobby when I was younger, it now has helped me create Ruthie’s Ice Cream, a homemade ice cream  business. This also led me to my goal I want to achieve when I am older, which is to open a sandwich shop.

The last and most important thing my hobbies have taught me is to remain curious. Learning new things and exploring new avenues will always guide you to finding out more about yourself. 

Finding new things to try can be scary, but it is so worth it to take the jump. You never know what you will find when you pick up a new hobby. 

Who knows? Maybe you learn a new sport, discover a passion, make a craft or even start your own business.