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Learning to do something by oneself is not always easy, especially given that we are conditioned to turn everything we do into something that benefits a capitalist system. Good news! It does not have to be that way this summer. Here are five hobbies you can self-teach yourself and enjoy without necessarily fulfilling the system’s thirst for productivity.
Dance
Dance is one of the many art forms that you do not have to be a professional to enjoy. It is also an art form with so many branches and genres, so if you are looking for a new fun hobby this summer, give dance a chance. To be a self-taught dancer, one must cultivate the attitude of note-taking and appreciating small improvements. Since it is a just hobby, there is no need to be extremely hard on oneself. Begin your dance journey by thinking of it as just an exercise. Do not capitalize on perfection. Watch YouTube tutorials on the kind of dance you want to explore. Make notes of your progress and what you would like to do better, and keep dancing. This dancer gives useful tips for self-taught dancers. As you keep up practicing and notetaking, you’ll begin to look at dance as part of your routine!
2. Knitting
Like everything else in the world, you need time commitment to get good at knitting, but that should not deter you from trying out this beautiful art. First, one will need yarn, knitting needles, and other essentials that one could find here! If one plans to self-teach themself knitting, they should begin by watching tutorials, reading beginner manuals, and perhaps finding a knitting buddy if they could. Here are some knitters to follow on Instagram: Anna Maltz, Vincent Williams, Stephen West, Hailey Smedley, and several others. Some helpful beginner tips that will motivate and guide you as you begin are also here!
3. Photography
If one has a mobile phone with a camera, they should not worry about where to begin because they already have one of the tools needed for photography! Photography is such a wonderful art medium, and one does not need to be an expert to enjoy this memory-capturing activity. For beginners and anyone looking for ways to better their phone photography skills, here is an article that could be a beneficial start. Begin by taking photos of nature because nature is already in a pose! Then one can take on other challenges when it comes to photography. There are photography classes online and in-person that any interested in photography could enhance their skills further or consider a possible career option. Skillshare has an amazing collection of photography classes which one can check out here!
4. Biking
Not only is biking fun, but it is also good cardio exercise! This summer, try switching up your method of transportation by including biking. I found this detailed tutorial video on how to learn to ride a bike on Youtube. Biking helps in learning to control breath and also boosting one’s endurance. The perfect time to bike ride in the summer is early morning or before/after sunset. During those times, the temperature is mostly bearable, and the atmosphere is serene and beautiful. It would be lovely to have a biking partner, but that should not be a hindrance. It takes a while to learn to enjoy bike riding, but one will grow fond of this activity with persistence!
5. Gardening
Have you wondered how farmers help make tomatoes grow? Have you ever wished you grew your own sweet potatoes? If you answered yes to either of the questions above or not, try making your thumbs green this summer! Gardening is such a wonderful way to get in touch with nature. For small-scale gardeners, monocropping is a great way to begin. However, one can make a monocrop garden or make several crops depending on preference and the work involved. Either way, it is very advisable to cultivate garden practices that help your crops grow well and thrive. Check out this article for beginner gardening tips. It takes dedication to make a garden work, but the work is worth it!
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