Take Up a Hobby, and Learn Online!
With more and more people becoming comfortable as homebodies, it's an acceptable and exceptional time to learn new skills and hobbies. Maybe there's something you've always wanted to do, or a passion you stopped pursuing due to work or family obligations. With easy access to online tutorials and other programs, there's no better time to keep learning and growing.
How to Do It
According to Sphero, people learn in different ways. Some people prefer to read, while others are visual or auditory learners. You might be more comfortable in an in-person class, or you may be able to find instructional videos and programs online.
For example, while there is no substitute for flying an actual plane, there are online options for ground school. If you want to get your bearings before you connect with your NSPIRE Aviation instructor, look to widely recognized online programs for guidance. Once you're ready for in-person training, you'll at least have a foundation from your online classes.
Tapping into online programs to learn new skills and hobbies can be quite effective, especially if you can pause, rewind, and re-watch steps or processes as necessary to perfect your craft. It can also be a fun way to bring together friends and family from across the globe and learn a new skill together.
Professional Skills
Online education has boomed in recent years, giving people the opportunity to advance in their careers by getting online degrees from the convenience of their homes. You can also access professional development opportunities online, like learning new software programs, perfecting your PowerPoint skills, or brushing up on presentation or negotiation tactics. Your employer might even foot the bill or reimburse you for this type of activity, especially if it’s something that can help you in your current line of work.
Practical Skills
According to Upskillwise, when it comes to learning new skill sets, many people go for the practical. For example, maybe you want to learn CPR, or how to design and build a deck. You might also like to learn how to take care of minor repairs around your home, whether that’s installing a new bathroom sink, patching up concrete around your pool, or laying tile in your kitchen. Want to make your own baby food, or can preserves? Skills like these can save you money, allow you to be self-sufficient, and possibly even morph into money-making opportunities in the form of side gigs.
Embrace a Hobby
Maybe you quit piano or guitar lessons when you were 10 and always wished you had stuck with it. Perhaps you've admired a friend’s garden and want to learn how to grow your own fruits and vegetables, or even beautiful flowers. Have you and your children always wanted to learn more about storm spotting? Has a new craft trend caught your eye, like acrylic paint pouring, felting, sewing, or watercolor arts? You can even learn skills like salsa dancing, line dancing, or sculpture online. Options abound, and with easy virtual access to different supplies and materials, you can do everything from the location of your choosing.
Monetize Your Skills
While hobbies are great ways to relax and enjoy yourself, for some people, hobbies can turn into small businesses. For example, if you take up sewing and learn how to make high-end pet clothing, you might be able to start your own product line. If you decide to monetize a hobby, start by creating a limited liability company or LLC. This designation protects you against some forms of liability, gives you flexibility, and can help you when it comes time to file taxes.
While the pandemic has kept people at home, it has also opened doors (and browsers) to new opportunities for connecting, learning, and pursuing personal passions. Use this time to your benefit, and take up something you've always been interested in exploring.