Maybe you've got a million activities you enjoy-but you're hoping to hone in on what truly makes you happy. Or maybe you've been absent-mindedly floating through a rotation of random hobbies, never landing on that one special thing that makes you feel fulfilled or fired up.
While there's no need to limit your interests or force yourself onto a predetermined path, finding a point of focus allows you to dig deeper, connect with yourself and feel more motivated, says Jessica Kaplin, a therapist based in Bel Air, Md.
Emotional investment activates the dopamine (or reward] center of your brain and reinforces overall positive functioning, she explains. It also enhances your self-esteem.
Follow these steps for propelling that casual interest or untapped skill into something that fuels you-even if you don't know what it is yet.
CURATE YOUR CALLING
First step to streamlining your interests? Put your passion into pictures with a vision board, whether it's an old-school cutout collage or a Pinterest collection.
If you want to tackle something tangible, grab a stack of magazines, photographs and prints that are lying around your room. Snag any pics that you're drawn to, without thinking about the why quite yet, and arrange the images on a cork or poster board.
Feeling more inspired by the content you see online? Make a special saves folder on Instagram featuring whatever you're drawn to-from meaningful quotes to artwork to aesthetic inspo to memes.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Now loading: Meditation mode
Haven't tried it yet? Here's your start-this-second strategy to find your center, no matter the strom.
Spread some cheer (here and there and everywhere)
You know that girl who's always bringing the holiday hype? Oh wait...that's you!
How to eat more vegetables (even if you truly hate them)
GOING DAYS—OR EVEN, YIKES, WEEKS—WITHOUT A SINGLE GREEN? THIS ONE’S FOR YOU.
THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CHANGE THE WORLD
It's exciting to be a part of the generation people say will transform the future.
NEW YEAR'S resolutions officially OUT
What's in, you ask? New Year's intentions, aka the strategy that'll *actually* make all your end-of-December dreams come true.
"Ugh! My family is so...
OK. we're just going to say it: It's valid to sometimes get furiously frustrated and downright disappointed with your nearest and dearest. (Take that as permission to feel *all* your feels rn.) Our gift to you? Breaking down these daunting holiday dynamics so you can get back to being a fa-la-la family again.
Dear Carol
CRUSHING ON A POPULAR BOY There is this boy I've been crushing on.
YOUR 2025 CONFIDENCE GLOW-UP
Sure, you could whisper some mantras, ask your besties to gas you up and listen to \"Bejeweled\" on repeat...or you could try these simple (but srsly effective) hacks for making 2025 your most confident era yet.
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Hunter L., 16, is really tired. Not the kind of tired when you stay up scrolling on TikTok, but tired of, well, being a teenager.
READ THIS before you hard launch
You and your crush are one what-are-we convo away from making it official...except for that one thing.