Why Can't I Stick to a Hobby? Understanding the Struggle

The Struggle of Starting and Stopping

Honestly, if you're anything like me, you’ve probably started a hobby with excitement, only to drop it after a few weeks (or even days). It's frustrating, right? One minute, you're diving into something new, and the next, it feels like a chore. But why does this happen? Why can’t we stick to a hobby?

I’ve asked myself this question many times. I remember getting into photography a while ago, buying a nice camera, and planning to capture every sunset. But, after a few weeks, the camera sat collecting dust on my shelf. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it—it just... fizzled out. So what gives?

External Factors: Time and Life Responsibilities

Life Gets in the Way

A huge factor that often gets overlooked when we're trying to stick to a hobby is simply life. Work, relationships, social obligations, and just the sheer volume of daily tasks—these can all get in the way. Honestly, I've found that the most frustrating part is not necessarily the lack of interest, but the lack of time.

Just last week, I was talking to a friend about how we used to play video games together, but now it feels impossible to find the time for it. We both agreed: we enjoy it, but everything else (especially work) pulls us in different directions. Suddenly, hobbies fall to the bottom of the priority list.

The Myth of "Not Enough Time"

Here’s the thing: we all have the same 24 hours in a day. Yet, for some reason, it feels like others can juggle hobbies, work, and life while some of us just can’t make it happen. It's easy to blame time, but sometimes it’s about how we allocate our energy. I’ve noticed that when I’m exhausted from work or life, I’m just not mentally prepared to engage in something that requires focus and energy.

So, if you’re feeling like there’s not enough time for your hobby, it might help to break it down into smaller chunks or try fitting it into pockets of your day. For example, instead of spending an hour on the guitar, could you play for just 15 minutes? Might sound trivial, but trust me, it works.

Motivation and Interest: Why It Fades

The Excitement vs. the Reality

In the beginning, hobbies often come with a burst of excitement. It’s new, it’s fresh, and you’re ready to dive in. But then, reality hits. You start facing the actual challenges, whether it's learning a new skill or dealing with frustrations (ugh, I hate that!). This is when the initial excitement begins to fade.

I think back to my failed attempts at learning the piano. At first, it was thrilling—like, “Wow, I’m going to be the next Beethoven!” But after a month, I was ready to give up. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy it, but the progress felt slow, and I got bored. Turns out, hobbies that seem exciting at first can sometimes reveal their true complexity. And that’s when the struggle begins.

The “Shiny Object Syndrome”

Okay, here’s another thing I’ve noticed. I tend to jump from hobby to hobby. It's like I have a "shiny object syndrome." You know, a new hobby catches my eye, and I think, “This one is it!” But then, a few weeks later, something else pops up that seems more exciting.

My friend Rachel calls it "the curse of the new." I swear, one day she’s into knitting, the next she’s off to learn salsa dancing. And honestly? I totally get it. The novelty of a new activity can feel refreshing, but it’s that very novelty that makes it hard to commit long-term. I guess it’s human nature to chase what’s new and exciting, but the real question is—how do we break that cycle?

Overcoming the Barrier: Making Hobbies Stick

Setting Realistic Expectations

Okay, I’m going to be real with you. One of the biggest reasons we quit hobbies is unrealistic expectations. We set ourselves up for failure by thinking we’ll be perfect at something right away. I’ve definitely been guilty of this—thinking I’d be a pro photographer in a month or two. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t work that way.

If you’re getting frustrated because you’re not seeing instant results, it’s time to adjust your expectations. Instead of aiming to be amazing at something, just aim to enjoy the process. Focus on small wins and celebrate progress rather than perfection. I know that’s easier said than done, but it really does help.

Making It a Habit

Another thing I’ve learned is that hobbies need to become a habit if they’re going to stick. Think about it—when you make something part of your routine, it becomes a no-brainer. It’s like brushing your teeth. You don’t question it; you just do it. Try scheduling time for your hobby, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day. Consistency is key.

I recently decided to try journaling every morning for five minutes, and you know what? I stuck with it! It wasn’t a huge time commitment, but it became part of my routine. That’s what hobbies need: a little structure.

The Bottom Line: Be Kind to Yourself

Honestly, the most important thing is not to beat yourself up for not sticking with a hobby. Life is busy, and interests evolve. It’s normal to pick something up and put it down again. The key is not to give up entirely. Even if you take a break from your hobby, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it just means you’re giving yourself the space to rediscover it later.

So, next time you find yourself asking, “Why can’t I stick to a hobby?” remember, it’s okay. It happens. The important part is trying again, adjusting, and finding a balance that works for you. You’ll get there, one small step at a time.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.