There is nothing quite like the draw of a new creative project. New equipment, new materials, new ideas. If you’re anything like me, the novelty can be powerfully alluring. This leads to something I call “hobby hopping” which is, in essence, the abrupt abandonment of one creative hobby to chase the thrill of a new one. I do this often, and I go through phases. Just because I’ve abandoned a hobby doesn’t mean I’ll never come back to it, but my supplies and equipment collect dust—sometimes years’ worth!—in the meantime.
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Are you a hobby hopper?
From what I’ve seen and read, ADHDers (of which I am one!) are prone to this, but we certainly aren’t alone. I think it’s often something that goes hand in hand with creatives more generally. We are wired to create, but that need can also translate to a desire to create something new. While some people devote their whole lives to one form of art, others crave new experiences. Some master one art form before moving on to another, but others jump from creative activity to creative activity without ever “mastering” any one in particular.
I often fall into that last category. As something of a perfectionist, that has been a near-constant source of frustration for me. But I’m here to tell you that all forms of creative expression are valid–whether you spend your life determined to become the next DaVinci, or you accumulate an odd assortment of half-finished crafts in pursuit of the elusive creative muse.
What is “Responsible” Hobby Hopping?
There’s nothing inherently wrong with hobby hopping. I’m a big proponent of pursuing impulsive creativity. But it can have some drawbacks. Responsible hobby hopping takes both your finances and the environment, into consideration.
Embracing impulsive creativity on a budget
If you’re here, you’re not new to crafting—which means you know as well as I do that crafting can get expensive. But you don’t have to let the cost stop you from trying something new. There are lots of ways you can make hobby hopping affordable like shopping at thrift stores and dollar stores for equipment or supplies, along with watching for sales and coupons on the things you have to buy new. Stores like Michaels often have a weekly coupon on their website, and these coupons can range from 20-50% off select items. You can also choose to start a monthly crafting club. Get a group of people together who want to try new creative projects and split the costs associated with getting started.
Thinking about the environment
Another thing to consider is the environment. If you’re starting a new creative hobby, you’re probably buying smaller packages of things—which often means more plastic or packaging in the long run. Are there creative ways that you can repurpose your non-recyclables? Might there be other people in your life who could have a use for these things? If you have a crafting club, you could facilitate a packaging or “trash” exchange. If you don’t have a crafting club, does your community have a buy-nothing Facebook group? Obviously, not everything can be reused or repurposed, but it’s worth making an effort to minimize what ends up in the trash heaps wherever possible.
What will you do with your crafts?
If you’re hobby-hopping, you might end up with a lot of different handmade products taking up space in your home. What will you do with the things that you create?
You can, of course, sell them. But if you’re making a variety of random things with no real rhyme or reason (as is often the case with impulsive creativity), this is not a great marketing strategy. It’s possible, certainly, but handmade shops (online, in particular) tend to do better when they keep to a particular niche.
I’m a big fan of giving away my impulsive makes. I’ve always loved giving gifts, and my hobby hopping has become an extension of that. However, I don’t want to overburden my friends and family with things they don’t want. Instead, I have a box of makes that are free for the taking—when someone comes over, they can rummage through the box and take something if they want it. There is zero pressure to take anything and sometimes there’s nothing that appeals to them. That’s totally fine. But other times, they find something that they absolutely love. It’s a win-win.
Depending on what you make, and the quality level, you can also consider donating your handmade products to people in need. Have you developed an obsession with knitting mittens? You only need so many pairs, and you’ll eventually run out of friends and family to give them to. However homeless shelters are often looking for donations of winter clothing. Or perhaps you have found that making felt cat toys is your new great love. If you have extras, consider donating them to your local cat rescue or pet shelter.
Hobby Hopping Can Be Full of Joy
I absolutely love trying new creative activities. I used to think that hopping from hobby to hobby was a problem but I’ve come to see how much joy it brings me. There is freedom in art purely for the sake of art.
Are you a hobby hopper? What are some of the best creative activities that you’ve tried? Let me know in the comments!
