Insider Today: How to find a hobby

Plus: The oldest black hole yet, and tiny mushrooms.

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January 20, 2024 • 5 min read with Diamond Naga Siu We made it to the weekend! If you’re on an airplane, be careful going to the restroom. A passenger recently got stuck in the bathroom, and the cabin crew couldn't rescue him. He had to stay there for nearly two hours until the plane landed. Traveling is one of the most popular hobbies in the US, according to Statista. But if that’s not for you — or if you’re struggling to find something to do outside of work — experts shared how to find a hobby. That’s our big story today. What's on deck Travel: The 10 most popular EVs sold in the US last year. Careers: Top industries looking to hire young workers this year. Life: Tiny mushrooms are the latest interior design trend. But first, what do you do outside of work?

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GraphicaArtis/Getty Images Story of the day A guide to finding a hobby Having a hobby can help people tackle their work and personal life with more energy. But relaxation isn’t as easy as it looks. “I’ve had a number of clients tell me they don’t know what they do for fun — they don’t know what that is anymore,” Alexis Haselberger, a time management coach, told me. “So many people have lost their hobbies.” So time-management experts shared some steps you can take to find a new activity you enjoy. Treat finding a hobby like a project You likely won’t find the perfect fit immediately, Laura Vanderkam, the author of “168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think,” told me. It’ll likely take some time to find the right activity for you. “On some level, that’s kind of a funny thought process. But why not give yourself six to 12 months to figure out what you truly like to do for fun?” Vanderkam said. Robyn Phelps/Insider Brainstorm and ask yourself some questions What are some accessible activities within your particular community? What do you wish you had more time for? What did you enjoy doing in college — or even high school? “Just do a five-minute brainstorm of all the things you used to enjoy when you were a child,” Haselberger said. “And then try to find an adult corollary to what those things are.” For example, if you enjoyed drawing as a kid, maybe try watercolor painting. Or if you liked playing outdoors, maybe try a recreational sport. Ask people what they do Ask those around you — friends, family, colleagues — what they do for fun. Or if they’re also trying to find a hobby, ask what the people around them do for fun. Try out the activities that people around you enjoy doing, Vanderkam suggested. And even if you don’t like it, you might meet people there who share — or invite you to — other activities you might enjoy. Take classes Haselberger said she’s a big fan of classes to see whether you like something. And if you do, you can go deeper into it. Although some might cost money, businesses and local libraries occasionally offer free classes to try out different activities. Be patient but proactive Vanderkam told me that finding a hobby just takes a bit of time, experimentation, and being open to different things. “If you are patient with yourself, I think that over the course of six to 12 months, you can certainly find something that you genuinely want to do,” Vanderkam said. “It might not be completely perfect, but it'll probably be pretty good.”

3 things in

Travel Joey Hadden/Business Insider 1. Photos show inside the world’s most luxurious train. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express boasts luxurious details that pay homage to the roaring 20s. “Smart attire” — like a blazer — is required during the daytime, and passengers are asked to wear formal attire at night. 2. Help wanted: A remote Irish island is looking for two people to run its guesthouses this summer. But the managers caution this isn’t an easy holiday job. Responsibilities include checking guests in, serving tea and coffee to visitors, and cleaning the cottages. 3. Hop in for the top-selling electric cars in the US. Americans bought a record number of EVs last year. The 10 most popular models include the Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Tesla Model Y.

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Careers andresr/Getty Images 1. The 15 fastest-growing jobs in the US. LinkedIn just published a “jobs on the rise” list. It’s based on job-growth rates using member data. Top jobs on the list include VP of diversity and inclusion, sustainability analyst, and AI engineer. 2. Career coach reveals the top industries hiring young workers this year. She anticipates industries like healthcare and cybersecurity will be keen to hire. But layoffs will continue this year, particularly in tech. 3. No free promotions — you’ll need to go into the office four to five times a week. PwC’s UK Chair advised that if people want to advance their careers, they should probably go into the office four to five times a week. He added that face time is important since AI is taking over certain tasks.

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Life ESO, ESA/Hubble, M. Kornmesser 1. NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope broke its record for discovering the oldest black hole. But now, astronomers are even more confused about the universe's beginning. The black hole is too big for its time — deepening a growing mystery about the early universe. 2. Young people are feeling more confident that they can buy a house. Gen Z and millennials are starting to feel better about owning property within the next few months, according to a new survey. It’s likely thanks to inflation dying down.  3. The latest interior design craze: tiny mushrooms. Hinge heads are small decorations for the top of door hinges, and mushrooms are the trinket of the moment. “Then every time you walk by, you get a little hit of dopamine because it’s a teeny, tiny treat for yourself,” one DIY creator explained.

In other news The “corporate accent” is the latest workplace fixation on TikTok, with young workers mocking their colleagues’ jargon-laden speech. I was shocked by all the tiny vehicles I saw in Japan. Here are my top 16 “Kei” vehicles. The American dream is “rapidly diminishing,” Walgreens boss says in plea to raise taxes for the wealthy. Solar modules are piling up in warehouses as a massive supply glut has slashed prices by half, IEA says. It’s been eight years since my best friend ended our friendship. It hurt more than a romantic breakup. Eating more protein may help women with healthy aging, a new study suggests. But the type you choose matters. Step aside “quiet luxury,” budgeting is cool now. New California city backed by Silicon Valley billionaires will be about 18,600 acres — less than half the size of the purchased land.

Patrick Pleul/picture alliance/Getty Images For your bookmarks Ikea’s about to get cheaper Ikea announced that it’s going to start cutting prices this year. It hiked prices in 2022. But the company already started bringing them back down late last year.

The Insider Today Saturday team Diamond Naga Siu, senior reporter, in San Diego. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, editor, in London. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hayley Hudson, director, in Edinburgh. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Get in touch insidertoday@insider.com To read unlimited articles, subscribe to Business Insider. Download the Insider app Email sent to: ignoble.experiment@arconati.us Manage your email preferences | Unsubscribe | Terms of service | Privacy policy | Advertise with us © 2024 Insider Inc. 1 Liberty Plaza, New York, NY 10006