​Pursue a Hobby by Going Online by guest blogger - Julie Morris

We live in a fast-paced world, where we work long hours and juggle a boatload of responsibilities. We shuttle our kids back and forth to activities, work overtime at our jobs, cook dinner, do housework, and complete a million other tasks. With all the things that demand our time, is it any wonder that hobbies fall by the wayside?  A lot of people scoff at the idea of hobbies, thinking that they don’t have time for them.
 
But according to BestMedicineNews.org, having a hobby makes your life happier and healthier. Hobbies are especially crucial for those going through addiction recovery. DrugRehab.org explains, “One of the hardest parts of being in recovery is feeling like you’re alone, or feeling uncomfortable around others while you’re in a fragile emotional state. Having a hobby can help you set the tone of your social encounters as well as keep them short and sweet; make a date with a friend to go for a swim or head to a DIY pottery class together.”
 
But what if you don’t have time to go somewhere to take an interesting class or workshop? It’s still possible. The internet allows you to pursue hobbies without even leaving your living room couch. Read on for some fun skills and hobbies you can learn online--alone or with a group of friends.

Play an Instrument
When you say the internet has everything, it really does have everything! Nowadays, you can learn to play an instrument by going online. Popular Science mentions that tutorials on youtube and online music schools can provide you with valuable instruction so you can learn to tootle the flute or play a tune on the violin. Whether you have a hankering to play the piano, the trumpet, or the electric guitar, there’s a good chance you’ll find an online class or instructor who would love to help you out.

Create a Masterpiece
Learn how to fashion your own masterpiece by taking art classes online. There’s a class or tutorial for any type of art you can imagine. Are you a wannabe Leonardo da Vinci? Take an online course on oil painting. Want to draw comics or manga? You can find tutorials on these too! Whether you want to sculpt, paint landscapes using watercolors, or anything in between, you can probably find an online class or tutorial that can make it happen.

Future Stephen King or J.K. Rowling?
Admit it: You have some half-written novels gathering dust in notebooks or suspended in time on your computer drive. You dream of writing a bestseller, but you just can’t get the words right. If you find a course online, you’ll get the tools you need to plot, write and revise your book until it’s ready for you to submit for publication. Many courses offer one-on-one mentoring, critique groups and lectures that help you understand how to write a polished novel. Who knows? Maybe you’ll pen the next blockbuster and end up being famous!

Head to the Barre
Who says you have to go to a dance studio to learn how to dance? Maybe that was the case in the days before the internet, but now, anyone who wants to learn ballet, flamenco, tap, hip hop, modern dance or any other form of movement can learn from knowledgeable instructors by going online. Some classes are free tutorials offered on sites like youtube. Other classes may require a monthly fee. Save some money and get a group of friends together to take class with you. That way, you can split the cost of the subscription. Whatever dance you decide to learn, taking online classes allows you to fulfill your childhood dreams of becoming a dancing queen….or king!
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You don’t have to leave your house to learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby. Just log onto the internet, and a world of opportunities awaits. No matter what you’re interested in, you can find tutorials and classes that allow you to pursue a passion. So, forget those excuses about not having enough time to practice a hobby. With the internet, you can learn something new at any time of the day or night.

Life and Career Coach
[email protected]
​juliemorris.org

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