Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Why You Should Embrace "Output-Oriented" Hobbies When You Feel Like You've Achieved Nothing


Many people find themselves caught in a kind of indescribable numbness amidst the monotonous repetition of daily work. When they finally get some free time, they hope that scrolling through short videos or binge-watching TV series can fill the void left by their dull jobs. However, once they put down their phones, that sense of emptiness intensifies. It's as if the happiness they felt moments ago was nothing but an illusory bubble.


But there are always some things in life that seem extremely difficult at the beginning, yet bring unexpected joy if you persevere, enriching your inner world. For instance, when you don't feel like reading, just force yourself to open the book and read the first page. Before you know it, an hour has passed, and the words in the book always bring new inspiration. Even if only one sentence strikes a chord with you, it will linger in your mind long after you close the book. When you're reluctant to exercise, just grit your teeth and start with five minutes. As your heart rate increases, you can usually manage to finish a half-hour workout. After sweating profusely, your tense body will relax. When you're stuck in writing, begin by writing just 100 words. As you keep writing, you'll gradually get into the groove, and a 500-word article can be completed before you know it.


Among various "output-oriented" hobbies, writing is what I highly recommend. It's not only what I'm currently engaged in, but also contains unique growth power. To write well, the key lies in forming your own opinions. When starting out, many people may not know where to begin due to a lack of knowledge reserves. At this time, you can start by imitating. Find a popular article, learn from its style and theme, and then incorporate your own thoughts, interpreting existing ideas in a new way, which is the beginning of originality. Meanwhile, continuous input is the foundation of consistent output. Read high-quality books, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries and TED talks to broaden the channels of knowledge acquisition. Summarize and refine what you've learned during the input process and transform it into your own words. Interdisciplinary thinking is also of great significance. Knowledge from different fields can often provide new perspectives for solving current dilemmas. For example, as a working mother in the workplace, personal growth and self-awareness are my main focus, while parenting books serve as a secondary line, and I also allocate time for learning other disciplines.


In terms of personal growth and self-awareness, I make it a point to read for an hour every day. For parenting books, if I have half an hour or an hour of spare time, I'll read them. If not, it's okay to skip. For other disciplines, I set aside a fixed day in a week to read two or three chapters, expanding my cognitive scope.


In addition to writing, here are some other "output-oriented" hobbies worth considering. Photography allows you to observe life through the lens and cultivate your aesthetic sense. If it's not necessary, mobile phone photography is sufficient, as professional equipment can be quite expensive. Handicrafts, such as pottery making, knitting, DIY projects, and flower arrangement, not only help you relieve stress while you're creating, but the finished products can also be used for decoration. Cooking and baking can improve your life skills, are healthy and economical, and the delicious food you make can be shared with others. Learning video editing can enhance your logical thinking ability and also exercise your perseverance and patience. Editing a long video often takes several hours or even days, and continuous trimming is needed to produce a perfect video. Music creation is an efficient way to express your emotions. Even if the melody is simple, it can help you release your feelings. Planting flowers, herbs, vegetables, or succulents allows you to witness the growth process of life, from blooming to bearing fruit, which is especially suitable for those who are patient. Programming, whether it's developing mini-programs, games, or tools, can exercise your logical thinking and expand your career development paths. Keeping a journal or creating visual notes combines painting and writing to record your life in a personalized way, and when you look back through them, they are filled with memories. Becoming a podcast or radio host is worth a try if you have a pleasant voice and the equipment requirements are not too high. Expressing your opinions through your voice can also improve your speaking ability.


You can try these hobbies according to your interests and available resources. In the early stages, there's no need to pursue perfect output. What's more important is to actually do it, experience it, and explore. Don't be confined to your own thoughts; instead, put them into practice and enjoy the process. While nourishing your inner self, these hobbies can also provide an outlet for your body and mind.


Finally, I hope that you and I can both become better versions of ourselves. What "output-oriented" hobby are you currently engaged in? Feel free to leave a comment below! 

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