Hobby Horse
MAKE THIS THE YEAR OF THE hobby. Ever wanted to learn a foreign language? Do it. Become a parttime potter, plant a garden, or start collecting orchids? Why not? Start craft afternoons, learn the piano or ukulele, join a club, exercise, meet new people, discuss ideas – and above all, start planning your travel and holidays for 2019. Why not? It’s up to you to put in place the time and energy to get started. Who knows where this new hobby and energy could lead? Start putting in place those things you have always dreamed of doing, and make this the year of actually setting aside the time to do them.
I have started painting again. Many, many years ago I attended art school, and have painted throughout the years – and then, with the launch of MiNDFOOD and creating the business, it just seemed to stop. Yes, I was busy, but I just couldn’t seem to get back to it and dedicate any time to painting. This year I made the decision to embrace the things that really make me happy and lose the things that just seem to create more problems. I’m saying goodbye to any type of DIY project around the home – it’s taken some years but I’ve learned to get in a professional. My family seem much happier with that decision also. Perhaps all I wanted was a simpler life, or to just get back in touch with what makes me happy – and that’s why 2019 seems like a good year to make the year of the hobby.
We often start each year with such hope and vision, but by the time our holidays are over and we are back into our routines of work, we have forgotten those wonderful promises that we made to ourselves at the start of the year to re- engage and begin something new. But not this year, readers. Make sure you write down what you want to achieve and keep in mind the things you want to start (and finish) this year.
To get you focused, our annual Future Trends feature for 2019 is slightly different this year. It contains a little more thinking around a range of very different topics, such as the changing landscape of language in the office, gender fluidity, the importance of wisdom, the paradox of diet culture, and learning to be more curious in our daily lives.
There are so many stories to shake up the brain cells and get you thinking. Mixing things up and commissioning the range of features has also made me realise that every time we turn a page of MiNDFOOD we want to be surprised and engaged – and most importantly, learn something new.
Never say ‘I can’t’ or ‘I’m not good enough’ – just start. Believing in yourself is something that can only start with you, no- one else. Yes, it can be difficult at times, perhaps when others doubt you, or you live or work in less than supportive environments, but if you really believe in yourself and feel it’s time to break out and start that hobby you have always dreamed about doing, start now.
In our travel section we pick our must-visit destinations and top spots for 2019. Some are old favourites that have made it back onto the list, while others are new experiences that will make you rethink the potential of travel and what lies out in our world.
Whatever you plan, and whatever dreams you put in place for 2019, make sure this is the year you follow through and make it happen. I am so ready to close the door on 2018 – it had both extreme highs and sad lows, and running at 2019 I really do want it filled with potential, lots of laughter and fun, and a hobby I’m excited to make happen. Enjoy your holidays.