Jack of all Trades, Master of None: Find your people through hobbies
I love that I accidentally chose a non-marching instrument for middle school. The “accident” part is 100% true. There’s a day you make that decision when you’re 10 years old, and you're stuck with it until you’re 18 (not really, but do you know anyone who has changed?) I thought I chose the clarinet, but my 10 year old self screwed up the different instruments in my head. That’s how I wound up with a double reed instrument - the oboe.
And it’s a good thing I chose it, because I got to play in the pit in marching band - which is like the biggest range of fun instruments you get to learn to play. And when I was a senior and got real ballsy, I grabbed my dad's tenor sax from the closet and played it during pep band once or twice. And once I got into college, I decided to throw all of that to the wayside and joined the choir instead. Little did I know this was just a short step away from the amount of things I throw my time into today.
One of my friends called herself a “hobby hopper”. I love that term and I fully adopted it. I give you permission to use it as well. But, I have been called a Jack of All Trades.
The quote in full is:
“Jack of all trades master of none, though oftentimes better than master of one.”
I do enjoy my hobby hopping very much. It’s led me to meet some of the best people in my life. I have found my tribe, my “rescuers”, and my found family. I have a short list of people I could call at any point in time for really anything. I wouldn’t have that unless I had started new project or athletic endeavor every few years.
And I’ll tell you a little secret from my hobby hopping:
Every group wants you to start join and there will be cheerleaders for you along the way.
Here are the following groups that I’ve been to practices, outings, or events, with just the nicest people, who just want new people to show up:
Brazilian Ju Jitsu
Dungeons and Dragons
Lifters/Gym Rats - especially at specialty gyms
Roller Derby
RAGBRAI Teams
Neighborhood Associations
…is that a broad enough list for you??
There has never been a time at a gym that the other lifters have not welcomed me with (metaphorical) open arms.
So be a hobby hopper, especially with fitness and athletics. It's like the only way I know how to make friends with other adults. And I promise you will too.
Hell, invite me to the next group practice, we’ll go together.
