We all carry multiple hobbies and interests within us, and so do our children. Some of these interests grow with us, and we follow them until they become our careers. Others remain somewhere in the dusty corners of our minds, waiting for the right time to be rediscovered.
Yesterday, while writing an introduction about myself for a gardening course I recently joined, I found myself travelling back to my school days. I remembered how much time I used to spend dissecting leaves, matching their microscopic descriptions with textbooks, and collecting specimens in big botanical garden files. My practical files were made with so much enthusiasm! In the chemistry lab, I was fascinated by the changing shades of petals and roots. Those little experiments and observations brought me so much joy.
Today, I have a garden at home and a few plants around my office window. But somewhere along the way, my relationship with plants has become limited to watering them, occasionally adding fertilizer, and doing a little hoeing.
Why am I sharing this with you?
During my medical practice, I meet many patients who have crossed the age of 45. Their children may have gone to college, started working, settled in their careers, or married and moved into their own lives. The busy years of parenting begin to change, and the house may become quieter. The responsibilities that once occupied most of their time gradually reduce, leaving behind something they may not have expected: a vacuum in their lives.
Perhaps this is the time to dig into the deeper corners of our minds and rediscover those microscopic interests we once carried. They might lead us towards nature, literature, guitar chords, harmonium melodies, the colours of a paintbrush, or even that fabulous collection of dresses that could inspire a boutique of our own. Perhaps we have always had a little magic in our cooking, a forgotten interest in singing, or an unfinished dream of writing a book. Or maybe we have so many interests that choosing just one would be difficult!
Why is this rediscovery necessary?
A vacuum in life can be an uncomfortable state of mind. It may sometimes signal emotional distress, but it can also be an opportunity to open new doors for ourselves. The same change in circumstances can become either a period of stagnation or the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Much depends on how consciously we respond to it.
When we fail to recognise this transition, we may find ourselves filling the empty hours with activities that offer temporary distraction but little lasting satisfaction. Constant gossiping, backbiting, attention-seeking behaviour, unnecessary drama, or even addictive habits may gradually take up the space that could have been used for something meaningful. Some people may also experience loneliness, anxiety, or depression. Of course, these difficulties have many possible causes, and hobbies alone cannot prevent or treat every mental health problem. But having something meaningful to look forward to can add joy, structure, connection, and a sense of purpose to everyday life towards Purpose of Life.
So, perhaps the first step is to pause and ask ourselves a few simple questions. Where am I in my life right now? Am I connecting well with the people around me? Am I moving into a new phase of life that requires a different rhythm? What did I once love doing but gradually abandon because life became too busy? And is there something new I have always wanted to learn but never allowed myself the time to explore?
We do not necessarily have to turn our hobbies into businesses, careers, or extraordinary achievements. Not every interest needs to earn money or receive appreciation from others. Sometimes, simply learning to identify a leaf, reading a good book, experimenting with colours, playing a few musical notes, writing a page, or preparing a special dish can bring immense satisfaction. We can begin with fifteen minutes a day and allow our curiosity to take us wherever it wishes.
Friends, colleagues, and neighbours can also come together to explore shared interests, learn something new, or revive old hobbies. Sometimes, having a companion makes it easier to take that first step and remain enthusiastic.
Younger family members have an important role to play in encouraging elders to rediscover their interests. Similarly, partners and other family members can support one another by appreciating their efforts, sharing their excitement, and creating opportunities to learn and grow together.
A little encouragement is always more than a little. ❤️
I hope to see you rediscover those forgotten parts of yourself, shine a little brighter, feel a little happier, and find new reasons to look forward to each day. And as we continue to learn, create, and grow, may we also make this world a litle kinder through the joy we bring into our own lives and the lives of others.
