How do you get back to the things that used to interest you?

Question

I used to love reading and writing, horeseback riding, etc. and I used to be super outgoing and try new things.
Now, I work full time and stay in most of the time. I haven't written a story in years and I am pretty introverted. I am not depressed, I love my life, but sometimes I wish I could go back to doing those things I loved.
I don't know why I don't-- fear, etc--but that is not what I need to know.
I want to know, for those of you who have rediscovered an old passion or interest-- how did you get over your issues and come back to it?

Answer 1

I want to know too! I'm in the same boat... and funny you mentioned riding, cuz that's one of the things I want to start again too! :D

I'm thinking the answer lies in being better organized. I went to this seminar thingy a few weeks ago and the speaker was saying that the difference between those who succeed in life and those who don't is that the people who do, have a PLAN.

For me, this would involve the self-discipline to get to bed at a decent hour so I'm not a zombie all the time. It would involve not wasting time watching TV or doing stuff I don't care about. When a person works full time, she needs to make sure that her free time is spent doing the things she cares about & wants to be doing. Downtime (to rest or zone out) is important too, but this becomes a problem when it builds up, and we waste hours and hours and HOURS on stuff we don't *really* care about (like TV or internet or whatever).

Make your daily life consist primarily of the things that you want your life to be about. Make sure you get enough sleep so that you can enjoy doing things in small portions on weeknights. Do things in larger portions on weekends. Do them with a buddy who has similar interests, so you'll have more motivation to get up and go.

As for the "I don't know why I don't" part of what you write, that Nike slogan has a good point -- sometimes you gotta stop wondering about the why.... and "Just do it!" Anyway, good luck to you -- I'm with ya on trying to get motivated!

Answer 2

I have been through this with writing and many other things. I found that my true passions always came back around and into my life again, but there were periods where I was meant to learn or work on developing other things. My suggestion: Accept that your creative passions are not in your past, but part of your future, and the time you spent pursuing these things in the past was a preparation for when it would come around again. In the mean time, there are other aspect of your self that you are developing, and it could be that there are some creative blocks that have surfaced through your circumstances. Start to see everything as a blessing and realize that the problems or obstacles are your teachers, and once you have gained the teaching, you will have no more need for such conditions, and will find your life moving forward along your destined creative path. If you don't have time for your own creativity, acknowledging, supporting or appreciating the creativity of others will bring you closer to your own creative side. It is no coincidence you are where you are. You haven't stepped off the creative path, but are still on it. It just may not seem that way in the moment, but later on in life, it will all seem that it was always inconnected. The best thing to do is trust in yourself and your path, and choose to be with the present moment. Let go of your attachment to the past, and allow a new present to emerge that contains all of the potential of the future. Just let go and do what feels good to you in the moment. You don't have to find a way or figure out how to make it all happen again. Everything will come to you, often when you least expect it. Let go of attachments, expectations, regrets, and be grateful to be here.

Answer 3

I have what I call'Cave Time' on a semi regular basis.I enlist the help of my family to watch my son for a few hours on the weekends,text message and email everyone in my address books with the message :'Cave Time! Do not disturb unless it's an emergency!!" and then do whatever I darn well please, be it hiking, watching a child inappropriate movie,read that new book I just got, or even just catch up on missed sleep.It is time that is STRICTLY for myself.No one else.Not work, school work,family or boyfriend is allowed to intrude,just total unabashed selfish me time.Like you, I work full time,I'm a single parent and I have a double major going in school, so I hear you about not having any time!!*Btw, there's nothing wrong with calling a mental health day and playing hookey from work once in a great while, too!*

Answer 4

You still have days and hours that you can go out, read, write, ride horses, and whatever else you wanna do. Why stay in all the time if you work all day? You work, you take some time to do the things you like.

You could cut back your hours and lifestyle and do the things you like. All work makes Jack (or Jill) a dull boy (or girl).

Answer 5

Your change in schedule may be partly to blame. When you're younger, you seem to have more time for the things you enjoy. The older you get, the busier you seem to get because of added responsibilities.

If you truly don't enjoy any of the things you used to do, you might be depressed. This is a medical condition, caused by a chemical imbalance. I'd talk to your doctor if you feel this might be a possibility.

Answer 6

Just Do it! That's the only way it works. For me, it took me going to a councelor to figure that out. You should try an hour to hour scheduler, or like an IPOD. Because you start realizing just how many missed hours you spend just trying to figure out what you should be doing at a certain time. My councelor suggested that and it is completely true in my case. Sometimes, it just takes someone telling you "hey, get off your butt and go do it"

Answer 7

just find some time to set aside in your day.....to relax and just enjoy life a little bit.....try taking up a NEW hobby...maybe you have just grown out of those old hobbies....

Answer 8

May sound cliche but listen to your heart and......follow it.