Hey Y'all! Welcome to Blissful Becky!

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Follower of Jesus. Wife to the most handsome man. Labradoodle owner. Love photos, home decor, thrifting, and making life fun!

Friday, February 24, 2017

How To Start A Hobby When You're Afraid of Criticism

If you have been holding back from truly enjoying a hobby because you're afraid of criticism, or have thought you weren’t good enough to do something you really wanted to do, this blog is for you. I want to encourage you today that if you have a hobby (or want to pick up a hobby), don’t let what other people may or may not think about you stop you!

While I was sitting outside enjoying the Texas weather this week, I realized how much I missed one of my favorite hobbies: blogging. I logged onto my blog to see when I had posted last; surprised to see it had been over a year since I had written anything. Besides the obvious excuse of time getting in the way, working full time, and having a baby and all, I was left thinking of how much I worry about other people’s thoughts when it came to me blogging. There has been so much I have learned through this new season of motherhood that I find myself wanting to share, but then never do because “what if so and so hates it?” Or I think “I am not a “Mom Blogger” so whatever I have to say won’t matter as much.”

 I can be so hard on myself sometimes, and in learning to be exactly who I am, I have to realize that it’s ok if not everyone likes me. That is a hard pill for me to swallow, but its reality. I even reposted a message about not being everyone’s cup of tea this morning, which was just another reminder of why I wanted to post this blog today. I can’t allow how people perceive me to be the lens in which I view myself. After having that short revelation, I decided that I am going to blog again. I started a blog back in 2010, and in my seven years of blogging, have I reached stardom or fame? Heavens no! Have all of my posts been thought provoking or challenging? That would be another no.

As I looked back at my old posts, I recognized that blogging will always serve as a hobby for me.  I don’t have to be perfect. I can simply enjoy it for the two reasons I created a blog in the first place: to capture my life, and to encourage others. #simpleasthat The photo below is of my husband & I snorkeling in Hawaii. Scuba Diving is a hobby of my husband's, because he is WAY braver that I, but I would say snorkeling is a hobby of mine now that I have done it twice. Let this photo be a reminder to go out there and try something you wanna do!

There is no pressure here in this hobby of mine because I am not getting paid here, and this is certainly not my career. This is where I think a lot of us get hung up when it comes to our hobbies. We expect perfection from ourselves. On the other hand, we compare our hobby to someone with the same interest, and rob ourselves of the joy that experience/hobby has for ourselves.

Maybe you can relate. You may really enjoy photography, but think sharing with the world will leave you with critics. Perhaps you make a mean lasagna (I have still YET to even attempt this dish!), have your own recipes, and enjoy cooking up anything and everything, but feel as though you don’t compare to someone else you know who has the same interest. I feel as though many of us keep our hobbies hidden. I’m not necessarily saying you have to go overboard and live stream yourself doing your hobby everyday, but I am saying don’t be afraid! Your hobby can be a number of things: singing, speaking, mothering, saving money, hosting fabulous parties, being well organized, playing a certain sport, working out, crafting, fishing, you name it. I love tennis, and consider it a hobby of mine, even though I am TERRIBLE at it and my husband thinks I should take some lessons. #cantstopwontstop

My challenge for you is this: find a hobby that you are interested in and GO for it. Do it despite being afraid. Do it despite how good at it you are. Do it despite what others may think of you. The beauty of a hobby is that you can learn, grow, and just enjoy the experience. No one is expecting perfection. No one is saying your hobby has to look just like so & so. Just do you, Boo Boo! Now go out & enjoy that hobby of yours!


What have you wanted to try? What hobby have you desired to pick up but have been too afraid to begin?  I’d love to connect with you and cheer you on!

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