Hobbies bring joy and keep our minds sharp
Curator’s Note: The author, a disabled man in his sixties, finds joy and mental engagement through creating YouTube videos and writing online, despite losing monetization. He acknowledges that these hobbies help combat his short-term memory issues and contribute to his overall well-being. While his wife often interrupts his writing, he values the therapeutic benefits of self-expression. He emphasizes the importance of hobbies for seniors, highlighting how they support cognitive function, emotional health, and satisfaction. The author encourages others, especially the elderly, to pursue engaging activities to enhance their quality of life, asserting that such involvement is vital for mental sharpness and happiness.
I sat down in front of my laptop and opened my webcam. I talked about what was on my mind at that moment. I replayed the video and rolled my eyes at the pregnant pauses and filler words. Then I uploaded it to YouTube. I lost monetization last year. I don’t make money creating videos. Doing YouTube videos makes me happy.
I’m on disability, and I’m married, so I’m broke. Writing online and doing YouTube videos keep my mind engaged. It gives me something to do. I’m in my sixties. Keeping my mind occupied is important to my well-being.
Science has shown that slow, meditative hobbies support memory and learning. My wife will disagree, but blogging and journaling have helped my memory. I noticed that I don’t have as much trouble now as I used to. My wife can’t let me write online or in my journal without interrupting me for some reason or another.
I would get called away, like I did when I started this sentence. I still lose my train of thought, but it doesn’t happen as often. I have always had short-term memory problems. I believe that writing blog posts and creating YouTube videos are training my mind. Training my mind to be more focused.
I don’t know if writing is a slow and meditative process, but for me it is. I can be stressed and upset. An hour of writing, even with interruptions, can mellow me out in short order. There are also improvements in my memory.
Hobbies like knitting, needlepoint, and gardening, “Grandma Hobbies.” Can support cognition, psychological well-being, and healthy aging. It makes sense. It’s satisfying to write a blog post. It’s gratifying to write a blog post or create a video that resonates with people. The feeling of accomplishment is amazing.
Can you imagine how good an elderly person feels about themselves? After sewing a shirt or knitting a sweater with their stiff, arthritic hands? The benefits are huge. Learning something new is good for the brain at any age. Discipline and practice keep the mind sharp. Having something to do, especially if it’s in a group setting, is therapeutic and helpful as well.
Slow, Meditative hobbies may have another benefit. As the senior adult uses his hands, his mind can wander. He can think about things and search his memory. This keeps his mind active and engaged.
Hobbies for seniors do not have to be passive. My YouTube channel is an example. It takes a lot of thought and patience to maintain a YouTube channel. I have to research topics that fit my current niche. I listen to podcasts, and I surf the web. I also interact in the comment section, which keeps me on my toes.
I have to defend my positions on topics, and I have to consider every word. It keeps my mind sharp and my TV off. There are two benefits right there. If you’re getting older and you’re bored, find a hobby that engages your mind and body. It will help you feel better.
My grandfather had serious health problems. After he retired, he turned the basement of the house he shared with my grandmother into a shop. He built wooden dollhouses. He built the furniture for them as well. After a while, he was too sick to continue building them, but the dollhouses he built were amazing.
Hobbies bring joy and keep our minds sharp. All of us need to have something we enjoy. Something that feeds our minds and makes us happy. It will keep our minds sharp and our bodies healthy. It’s not only about living longer, but it’s also about enjoying the time we have left. Get out of the rocking chair and have some fun.
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“I help people over 55 start a YouTube channel without the fear of embarrassment or getting it wrong.” lawsonwallacewrites@outlook.com
Lawson Wallace is a freelance writer who specializes in emails, blog posts, Resumes, and cover letters. He can be contacted at lawsonwallacewrites@outlook.com
https://substack.com/@lawsonsfeveredbrain1
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