By: Amari S.
According to the American Time Use Survey, almost everyone aged 15 and over participates in a leisure and sport activity, such as watching TV, socializing, or exercising on an average day. The survey found that 15 to 19 year olds spend about 1.3 hours a day playing games or using a computer for leisure. The “rule of 100” states that if a person dedicates 100 hours a year to an activity (about 18 minutes a day), then they will become better than 95% of the people in the world in that activity. This idea resonates with me when I think about how I spend my free time and the growth I have experienced through my own extracurricular activities.
Outside of school, I choose to spend much of my time reading, writing, playing golf, and volunteering. Reading expands my imagination and introduces me to new perspectives. Writing helps me find my voice. Golf teaches me patience and the importance of practice. Volunteering highlights how I can make a big difference in my community through many small acts. Each activity challenges me to grow.
Taking up a new hobby can be difficult at first. There is a learning curve for many activities, and it can take time to find your footing. However, if you continue with it, you will start to notice progress. By reading more, I can more easily analyze and appreciate more complex literature. When I write more, I learn how to better structure my sentences to convey my meaning across to the reader. By practicing my golf swing, I learn the nuances of how to play the best golf game I can. When I spend time volunteering, I learn of the impact I can make and discover new ways to make a difference.
This year, I encourage everyone to use their leisure time to grow. Try something new, even if it might be uncomfortable at first. Stick with it. If you put in enough time, you might surprise yourself with how much you can grow and even inspire others.