Hello and happy Wednesday!
On this site, we talk about writing a lot. Like, a lot. And while I love talking about writing, books, reading, and the like, I wanted to take some time today to think about some other hobbies and skills. Specifically, five different skills I’d like to improve at.
And I’d love to hear about the skills you’re hoping to develop further! The title of this post says ‘life skills’, but any kind of hobby that’s possible to get better at counts (that’s nearly all of them, as far as I know).
I wish there were more hours in a day, but right now, my days are mostly work, time with husband, random chores around the apartment, and writing when I have the opportunity. If or when I suddenly have lots of extra time though, here are some things I want to get better at . . .
Cooking/Baking
I’m not a natural cook, as much as I wish I were. Thankfully, I’m not helpless. I can make meals and I do very often. But nearly every time I’m in the kitchen, I hurt myself on something. Cheese grater, food processor, corner of the counter, frying pan . . . etc. Also, I don’t seem to have the same intuition as someone naturally good at cooking (like my mom!).
I did have a big cooking/ baking phase a few years ago and tried out some fancy pastries, and that was fun. Cooking and baking just aren’t something that usually relax me, and I think it’s because I’m not the best at them. So I want to keep practicing and trying out new recipes, with the hopes that I can get a lot better and have more fun in the kitchen!
My current favorite recipes to make right now are casseroles (for cooking) and gluten-free brownies (for baking). What do you like to make?
Crafting
At first I was going to say crochet, as I used to crochet all the time and want to get better at making more complicated patterns. Then I realized I’d like to just get better at crafting period. So yes, I want to up my crochet skills (and hopefully not get so frustrated at it), but I also would love to start making some other crafty items.
I’m not even sure what. But I love seeing others making candles, clothes, bookmarks, jewelry, blankets, baskets, tie dye, flower arrangements, etc., and I’d love to find a fun yet practical niche like that. Crochet has been nice, and I’d like to continue, but it does get hard on the wrists after a while, so maybe I can find something to mix it up a bit.
Do you do any crafting? What do you make, and what’s your favorite thing about it?
Singing
This one is for no practical reason, just me selfishly wanting to sound better. Singing relaxes me like few other things, and of course, I feel better about doing it when I can tell I don’t sound awful. From 7th grade until I graduated, I performed in local musicals and my voice stayed pretty consistent from all the practice. Since I’m done now, it’s definitely rusty.
In preparation for my senior year musical, I worked through the Singing Success program by Brett Manning and can’t speak highly enough of it! My range was so much better and that musical was a lot of fun, exploring all the things I realized my voice could do. So maybe I’ll try to work through that program again and see what happens. Singing is just plain fun.
Do you sing? If so, is it for relaxation or do you perform? Do you enjoy it?
Piano
Like singing, piano is a skill that I don’t plan to use to make money with or turn into a career or anything like that. It’s purely for my own enjoyment and relaxation. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to improve at it. I’ve been playing piano since I was around eight, and I took piano lessons for about three years, but all I’ve done in the past few years is accompany youth group worship with chords.
We have a keyboard at our apartment and I’ve been playing around on it again, remembering how much I enjoy it. But I’ve definitely gotten rusty at it too. Cue a lot of practice! My piano teacher was our pastor’s wife, so every Sunday that I watch her play for the service, I’m always re-inspired to practice. She plays so beautifully!
Do you play an instrument, and if so, which one? Do you enjoy it?
Public Speaking
This one is more practical! I don’t plan on becoming a politician or the like, but public speaking skills are useful pretty much everywhere and I’m bad at it. I taught a high school fiction writing class last year and that definitely helped me get more adjusted to standing up in front of a group and communicating well, but it made me nervous every time.
I actually enjoyed teaching about writing more than I thought I would, so I’d like to improve in case I decide to do it again in the future. And just so that I can be better at answering phones for my work, ordering food in restaurants, starting conversations with strangers, and all of the random things public speaking skills help with.
Does public speaking come naturally to you, or do you want to improve at it too?
There are so many things I’d like to try out and get better at, but these are five of the biggest ones right now!
What about you? Do you have skills or hobbies you’re hoping to improve at? Which ones? Feel free to share them in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you!
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Love this! There are always so many things one can spend one’s time on, but it is fun to improve in different hobbies and skills! I love the (supposedly actual version) of the common saying: “Jack of all trades, master of one.” Meaning, try a lot of things, and get really good and one or two! 🙂
Yes! I love that saying. Very true 🙂