Ryan sits down to answer Bethany's question about hobbies and how to pick the right one without wasting too much money trying new things. Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support #TheMinimalists #LivingroomConversations
I find that, for myself and others I know, the impulse to buy all the things to take on a hobby is often an indicator that it's less about the desire to do the hobby, and more of an impulse or infatuation with the *idea* of that hobby. The times in my life when I've fallen in love with a hobby for real, I was generally motivated to do the hobby as soon as as often as possible, using what I had around the house already and just being excited to get my hands dirty. (I like plants, so that's a literal analogy for me!) Then, as the hobby developed and I was struck with new, bigger, or more complicated ideas, I might go out and buy or find something that solved a specific problem. You might eventually accumulate a lot of stuff, but even then you can check in with yourself and ask if those tools (cuz that's what they are) are adding value to your life and your hobby, or if you're keeping them because that's what you do when you're a ______ (insert: gardener, photographer, DJ, etc). Any time I go out and impulsively gather stuff for a craft or hobby I'm excited by, before I actually make any attempts at the hobby itself, I end up with a bunch of shit I don't use and have to constantly move around or make space for. Not only that, but then I carry around the mental burden of "I need to use that stuff because I spent good money on it/it's taking up space in my home/I should be pursuing that skill and I'm not" etc .. and often, that's even heavier than the weight of the stuff itself. Just my thoughts. Hope that helps.
Ohhhh...I’m a full blown craft hoarder! But crafting (whatever I’m in the mood to craft) is my passion. I know I have to Destash some of my supplies bc you can even walk into that room. I just need to focus on picking one project, only buying the necessary items to make it...no extra supplies bc it’s 50% off and I could use it someday.
You always think before talking. Joshua always speaks more and you are very patient and educated. I really like that you also use minimalism in this subject.
I am also an obsessive personality and my hobbies center around creating things. Crafts, art, etc. With most creative endeavors, even cooking for example, both tools and materials are needed. I find it easy to justify the cost of tools because they are used over and over, such as a crochet hook. Materials on the other hand are tricky because I often purchase them impulsively. They are what tend to pile up, such as a bunch of yarn that was on sale, and I am sure I will find a project to do to use it. And that is another factor with hobbies, often they are closely related in the creative world and sometimes it is easy to drift between two hobbies like scrap booking and card making. They often have the same materials and you shop for them in the same section at the craft store. So my advice to myself is to always complete one "project" within a hobby before I buy anything else. When I string that necklace with the beads I just bought before I buy any more, I am more creative because I am not overwhelmed by the shear amount of stuff laying around with the "potential" to be something cool, but is really just money spent on my intentions. My craft stash stays under control when I am disciplined about my projects. I have been able to make more things and still balance a number of different creative hobbies without spending too much money.
Good advice. I live in a semi truck and play guitar. I'm sometimes tempted by ads for a new one and have to remind myself the two I have are enough for anything I'd want to play. Could I get by with one? I think so. I play one much more than the other. Maybe I'll give the #2 away.
I'd love to go out biking etc. in nature but where I'm at right now it's cooking healthy/beefing up my menu and catching up on sleep. 😂 I would add you can have a focus for one year or six months and then switch off to another one. Where are you at in life?
I hobbyhop too, but if I follow these rules it is easier to weed out. A hobby needs to be: 1. Fun 2. Beneficial to your health 3. Rewarding (also economically) Reg. 3, I think you should get some cashback from doing it. Makes it more sustainable and at least less expensive. Not always possible perhaps, but try and be creative.
Do you have any tips or suggestions of how to feel less depressed and less anxious with the use of minimalism? New to the concept, but feel myself getting deeper and deeper into a mental rut and it feels more and more destructive as time goes on. Thanks
Whoa amazing film quality. New film guy is really paying off! But I agree with the others... a few less angle cuts would be appreciated. Never really thought about renting... it's a good point.
I don't have a lot of hobbies. The ones I do have are special to me. It' for example get a psychical copy of a game. Especially if it's a title or series I love! or maybe even watching and collecting anime/manga and syfy related stuff.
I don't have as much trouble with the camera angles as with the shot size (and it's not the first time). Ryan is not centered, there's something like a picture frame popping in from the top, and the way his feet are out of the frame is really awkward. Filmmakers usually cut the subject at knee level or show the entire body because otherwise it just looks unnatural and annoying. Last time I felt the same way was in podcast 146, Joshua & Ryan's heads were so close to the top border of the frame that it drove me crazy during the whole episode. Sorry for being so picky. I just know you can do a better job. I hope this helps (It's intended to be constructive criticism).
