Putting the P in PERMA: What are the Activities You Enjoy

Over the last few weeks, we have introduced the PERMA model as a powerful framework for enhancing overall well-being. 

It’s a roadmap to a more fulfilling personal and professional life, including your role as a speech-language pathologist. 

Our next blog installments will rotate through the PERMA components and go deeper into strategies we can apply to our lives as we keep up AND enhance our well-being!

(Each post will be based on a vote conducted via Instagram and/or Facebook!  Thank you to all who share their input!)

Remember, PERMA stands for Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.

We examined which emotions are positive emotions, because there are so many more than just happy!  They are any feeling you find to be pleasurable and uplifting.

One of the recommendations for fostering positive emotions mentions in the prior post “PERMA-nent Boost Series:  Positive Emotions” read “Engage in activities that bring you joy and satisfaction, whether a hobby, spending time with loved ones, or exploring new interests.”

This is somewhat similar to our prior dive into The Power of Hobbies during our Stress Management Series. What gets confusing in my mind in this discussion is the difference between an activity that  brings you joy and satisfaction and a hobby, so I thought perhaps this gets murphy to others as well.   In essence, hobbies are a subset of activities that bring joy and satisfaction.   For the sake of clarity, let’s briefly talk about the difference.

While all activities that bring joy and satisfaction can be considered hobbies, not all hobbies necessarily bring the same level of joy and satisfaction.

Here’s a look at the key differences:

Purpose

Hobbies: Typically pursued for personal enjoyment, fulfillment, or self-expression. For example, someone might paint as a hobby because they enjoy the creative process and the sense of accomplishment it brings.

Other activities: Might be done for practical reasons or societal expectations. For instance, someone might exercise to stay healthy or attend social events to maintain relationships.

Frequency

Hobbies: Often engaged in regularly or with some consistency. A person might play guitar several times a week or garden every weekend.

Other activities: Might be done less frequently or only occasionally. Someone might go to a concert once a month or travel every few years.

Skill or Mastery

Hobbies: Often involve learning new skills or developing expertise in a particular area. A photographer might spend years honing their craft and experimenting with different techniques.

Other activities: May not require the same level of skill or mastery. Someone might enjoy hiking but not have a specific goal of climbing mountains.

Passion

Hobbies: Typically activities that you are passionate about or find particularly enjoyable. A person might be so passionate about collecting stamps that they join a club and attend conventions.

Other activities: May be enjoyable but not necessarily something you are passionate about. Someone might enjoy watching movies but not feel a strong desire to become a film critic.
As we said, hobbies are a subset of activities that bring joy and satisfaction. They are activities that we engage in for pleasure, fulfillment, and often involve a level of skill or mastery. While not all activities that bring joy and satisfaction are hobbies, all hobbies are activities that bring joy and satisfaction.  

I hope that is helpful.  While hobbies often serve as a cornerstone of personal fulfillment, realizing that the joy be found in a variety of activities fits this same purpose helped me to grow my brainstorming list tenfold!

By consciously identifying, exploring, and engaging in activities that bring joy, you can enrich your life in countless ways. Let’s delve into the process of discovering these sources of happiness.

Let’s break down the process of identifying, exploring and engaging in activities that bring you joy into a clear, actionable steps:

How to Engage in Activities That Bring You Joy and Satisfaction

Step 1: Identify Joyful and Satisfying Activities

Reflect on Past Experiences: Think about activities you’ve enjoyed in the past. What made them enjoyable? What aspects were most satisfying?

Assess Your Interests: Make a list of your interests and passions. Include hobbies, topics you love learning about, or activities you’ve always wanted to try.

Consider Your Strengths: Reflect on your skills and talents. Sometimes joy comes from activities where you excel or where you can use your abilities creatively.

Browse!  Browse the internet and varied resources by categories.

Consider activities related to any list that you can brainstorm!  Here’s a list to get you started.

Consult varied resources.  

Internet search engines, local event calendars, or community directories to find activities in your area.  For example, I was browsing all kinds of topics and activities in my area when I came across a nearby Reiki course.  I signed up without actually knowing what it was.  It was a terrific adventure!

Get Feedback: Ask friends or family about activities they think you might enjoy based on what they know about your personality and interests.

Reflecting on Your Personality and Interests:

• What are my strengths and weaknesses?
• What kind of person am I? (e.g., introverted, extroverted, creative, analytical)
• What are my hobbies and interests?
• What do I enjoy doing in my free time?

Asking for Recommendations:

• Based on what you know about me, what activities do you think I might enjoy?
• Are there any clubs, groups, or organizations you think I would be a good fit for?
• Have you ever tried any activities that you think I might like?
• What do you think my strengths would be in a particular activity or hobby?

Remember, their feedback can be inspire some additional ideas, but ultimately, the decision of what to pursue should be based on your own preferences and desires.

Review Your Responses and Brainstorm a Variety of Options: Below are some lenses to use.  You can use none, one, some, or all.

Categorize Your Interests

• Group similar items: Organize your list into categories such as creative, active, social, intellectual, or spiritual.
• Identify patterns: Look for recurring themes or interests that appear across multiple categories.

Align with Your Personality

• Think about how your personality traits might influence your enjoyment of different activities. For example, if you’re introverted, you might prefer solitary activities or small group settings.
• Consider your strengths: Identify activities that align with your natural strengths and abilities.

Explore Related Activities

• Branch out from your interests by considering activities that are related to your existing hobbies or interests. For example, if you enjoy cooking, you might explore food photography or culinary classes.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with completely new activities that are outside your comfort zone.

Set Realistic Goals

• Factor in your schedule, budget, and available resources when choosing activities.
• Begin with activities that are manageable and enjoyable.
• Aim for gradual progress rather than immediate perfection.

Seek Inspiration

• Explore websites, blogs, or social media groups dedicated to hobbies and interests.
• Ask friends and family for recommendations based on their knowledge of you and/or of a specific interests.
• Join clubs or organizations and connect with people who share similar passions.

Getting Ready To Try New Things:   Can you try before you buy?  Our intention is to try a more than one thing.  You may try quite a few before you find one you really want to invest much time or money in.  My personal intention is to always be trying new things!

Keep any eye out for:

• Many activities offer introductory sessions to help you decide if you enjoy them.
• If necessary, borrow equipment or materials to try an activity before investing in your own.
• Join a group or club where members teach each other for free.  For example, I saw a community knitting group listed where there were dates on which members would teach new members how to knit..

Try New Things: Explore different activities to see what resonates with you. This could involve joining a class, attending workshops, or trying out new hobbies on your own.

• How do I feel when I’m engaged in this activity?
• Do I feel energized, relaxed, or both?
• Are there any emotions or sensations that arise during the activity?
• Do I experience a sense of flow or enjoyment?

• How does this activity make me feel about myself?
• Can I see myself continuing to engage in this activity in the future?

• Are there any challenges or obstacles I face while participating in this activity?
• How do I handle these challenges?
• Do I find these challenges motivating or discouraging?
• How can I overcome these obstacles and continue to enjoy the activity?

• Am I learning new skills or knowledge through this activity?
• Does this activity help me develop new perspectives or insights?
• Are there any opportunities for connection or community within this activity?

I have completed these steps a few times over the last several years and though some repeats arise each time, so do new ones.  Some of my most interesting options arise in the first few days after I answer the questions.  My mind is on the topic and I am super aware of things that pop up!

Finding consistent satisfying favorites as well as new options to try is not the difficult part for me. 

Trying them, being fully present, letting myself enjoy them, and finding the regular and reasonable place for them in my life is the real challenge.

Next week, we will talk about setting mindset to give yourself the permission to take the time and ENJOY the time spent on these activites as well as some strategies for finding time to spend. See you then!