As I’ve settled into these 40s I’ve realized that aside from the busyness of everyday life, life has become a bit mundane. After days of contemplation, I realized that I’d been missing out on pursuing new and interesting hobbies – and, I wanted some.
After doing a few internet searches, I still fell short. Each post seemed to mirror or mimic the next. Raise your hand if you can relate. To help me solve my problem, I spent time asking myself questions that led to this blog post of seven unique hobby ideas that I discovered after taking a deep dive into some personal assessment questions.
Self-Assessment
To come up with my list of hobbies and interests, I asked myself the following questions:
- While in school during any stage in your life, what subject did you want to pursue but couldn’t (for whatever reason) at the time?
- From your own life experiences, where are places that you’ve wanted to travel to or learn about that you were unable to at that moment?
- What are things that you enjoy now that you have yet to pursue?
After sitting with these questions, I crafted an interesting and personalized collection of hobbies and interests that I am sharing in this post. I would strongly encourage you to use similar questions to delve into your life experiences and curiosities, ultimately creating a unique list of personal hobbies and interests that resonate with you. Without further ado, below are my newfound hobbies and interests.
1 – Astronomy
During my time at community college, I enrolled in an astronomy course during the summer session. I wasn’t particularly excited about taking the class, but it was a requirement for my graduation. I half-heartedly completed the course and received the credits by the grace of God. But, to my surprise, I realized that I had written one of my most interesting and best papers thus far.
Fast forward to the present day. I find myself on outings at the Planetarium, attracted to the moon, and wondering what other life forms exist out there.
After pondering the questions mentioned above, I realized that I have a genuine interest in astronomy that I have yet to fully explore. This realization has given birth to one of my newfound hobbies: astronomy.
With this in mind, here is a list of activities, exploration, and research for astronomy.
- Planetarium Visits
- Space Science Reading, Movies, and Solar System Puzzles
- Astrobiology Research
I’ve recently discovered a Solar System Spy Puzzle on Amazon that I can do with my children. It’s an educational puzzle where you learn about the planets in the solar system and other objects in space with fun facts and colorful pictures.
Regardless of their ages whenever they see me doing crafts or puzzles they want to join in. It warms my heart because we are enjoying time together, learning, and creating memories.
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2 – Aliens and UFOs
Playing tag-team with astronomy is my fascination with otherworldly life forms. I’ve long been a fan of science fiction movies and couldn’t wait to visit the recently built Area 15 during our trip to Las Vegas a few years back.
I even fell in love with a green UFO that sits on the grounds of the Pink Elephant; a Route 66 roadside attraction in Livingston, Illinois. My interest in aliens and UFOs has simply grown into a full-blown passion making this an ideal interest to explore.
As I ventured further into this topic, I discovered that The Pink Elephant Antique Mall hosts an annual Route 66 UFO Festival, a three-day event celebrating Route 66 and UFOs!
Additionally, I found out that the green UFO at the Pink Elephant is actually a Futuro House, and to my surprise, you can book a stay in one at Joshua Tree Park. Had I not gone down this rabbit hole, I never would have known.
With this in mind, here is a list of activities, exploration, and research for aliens and UFOs.
- Ancient Aliens, Alien Archaeology, and Alien Conspiracy Theories
- Alien Abduction Stories such as the Barney and Hill Abduction incident
- UFO Documentaries and Research such as the Roswell UFO Event of 1947
You May Enjoy | World UFO Day Family Movie Night
3 – Route 66 in Illinois
All of this marries my love of aliens, UFOs, and Route 66. I’ve held a deep affection for Route 66 for a while now. Over time, I’ve been progressively uncovering the entire route, bit by bit, and sharing my journey through a series of blog posts here on Just Brennon Blog.
Along the way, I’ve come to realize that, with a toddler in tow, extensive travel plans are probably not in the cards for me anytime soon. However, what I can do is direct my attention to exploring the attractions close to home. Given that we reside in Illinois, I’ve decided to channel my efforts exclusively into exploring Route 66 within the borders of Illinois – such as the annual Route 66 UFO Festival in Livingston, Illinois.
With this in mind, here is a list of activities, exploration, and research for Route 66 in Illinois.
- Diner Hopping
- Art, Murals, and Roadside Attractions (i.e.Pink Elephant)
- Small Town Exploration
4 – Pop Art
Pop art is an art movement that emerged in the 1950s and flourished in the 1960s in America and Britain, drawing inspiration from sources in popular and commercial culture. Different cultures and countries contributed to the movement during the 1960s and 70s.
I’ve always had a natural inclination towards pop art, and it shows in my various encounters with it. For instance, during a past day trip to Jungle Jim’s International Market in Ohio, I couldn’t resist capturing a photo of that iconic swinging Campbell’s soup can. Similarly, when I visited Chicago and discovered there was an Andy Warhol exhibit, I immediately began planning my visit.
Metropolis, IL, the home of Superman, has also drawn me to explore. Superheroes like Superman often feature prominently in pop art, reflecting the profound influence of comic books on this artistic movement.
My approach here is quite simple – I go where my curiosity leads me, whenever it takes me. Just a few weekends ago, I sat in my car, enjoying my lunch, while immersing myself in a series of short YouTube videos about Pop Art. It was an enjoyable and informative experience, adding to my knowledge and appreciation of this fascinating art movement.
5 – Afternoon Tea
I’ve developed a deep affection for the elegance of afternoon tea, and I’m excited to introduce my daughter to this delightful tradition at an early age. Our journey will encompass not only visiting different places for afternoon tea but also creating our own special tea experiences.
Additionally, I’m eager to dive into the history of both afternoon tea and high tea to gain a deeper understanding of these customs. As a fun and educational pastime, I’ve also acquired a lovely teacup puzzle that I enjoy working on from time to time.
6 and 7 – Women of Egypt and Alchemy
And, at some point, I’d like to further my knowledge of the Women of Egypt and Alchemy.
Final Thoughts
To sum it up, life unfolds as an amazing journey, and it’s always the right time to uncover fresh hobbies and interests. Through introspection, asking insightful questions, and contemplating past experiences and curiosities, you can breathe life into novel and thrilling pursuits that bring happiness and satisfaction.
What makes this all the more wonderful is that it provides me with something to anticipate and explore, with the added bonus of being pressure-free. There are no exams, no deadlines, and no obligations to meet.
What will your next hobbies be?
