Amidst the hustle and bustle of office life, finding balance and feeding our creative souls is crucial. While our desks might be where the magic happens, it’s often outside those walls that our true creativity emerges. Hobbies aren’t just a break from work, they’re a way to supercharge our imagination, problem-solving skills, and overall happiness.
Here’s a look at some hobbies that light up the creative spark of the Uptown Studios team and bring a fresh vibe into our workday:
Morgan: Barre—Strength, Focus, and Fun
“I took my first barre class in 2013 and have been in love with it since. A new barre studio opened in town and my co-workers and I decided to try it out together. It was the first time (that I can remember) being fully present; fully in the moment. It’s a tough workout that requires focus on multiple areas of the body at the same time so it’s nearly impossible to think about anything else. It’s exactly what I needed then and still need more than 10 years later to release stress, build strength, and support my overall well-being.
Since taking my first class, I’ve moved on to instructing others; trying to give them a similar experience. Whether taking a class or teaching it, I always leave feeling happier than I did before starting it. By spending an hour of my time on my well-being, I make space to be more creative throughout the rest of my day in both my personal life and my professional work. Barre declutters my headspace allowing me to be more strategic in my approach to work projects and everyday decision making. It also makes working out fun. And we could all use a little more fun in our lives.“
Hope: Creating Sweet Moments with Custom Cakes
“I decorated my first cake in December 2018… It was horrible! Flash forward to 2024, I have my own small business where I am selling custom cakes as a self-taught home baker!
In July 2023, my boyfriend convinced me to start selling custom cakes, so, I used the marketing skills I learned at Uptown Studios and created an Instagram account to start selling them. It has turned into such a positive outlet for me to express my creativity outside of work, both with the cakes and with the content I create for my social media accounts. (Not to mention the extra practice I get on social media for work!) Now, I spend nearly every weekend creating cakes for clients’ birthdays, graduations, and other celebrations life brings. One thing I’ve learned over the years: life is too short to not eat cake, so it may as well make life sweeter! Check out my creations at @HopeyCakes on Instagram! 😉”
Noel: Cooking Up Creativity and Fitness
“A few of my hobbies include cooking and working out! I love cooking because it always feels so freeing to me, and the payoff is, well… yummy! My love for cooking came at a really young age. I used to ask for cooking supplies for Christmas at age 6! Additionally, I worked in restaurants throughout my teens and early twenties and learned many recipes and formal cooking methods. Now, I cook for my two boys and myself and try to get creative with my food. I enjoy plating, and making it look as much like a restaurant dish as possible! I feel that cooking helps me explore a different creative outlet than design and expands my creativity with work. Sometimes, I even watch cooking shows to get inspiration for color palettes or logos for clients!
Secondly, I found the gym about two years ago. I never was a gym person, but I was a competitive gymnast, dancer, and cheerleader for 15 years. Not only did I lose 62 lbs after my second child, but working out has become a lifestyle and something I genuinely enjoy. It helps my mind take a break and let my body take over. I feel that working out and powerlifting has helped my mental health almost more than my physical health. I tend to go all-in with work, so working out allows my mind the mental break it deserves so that I can come back feeling refreshed and creative!
Cooking and working out go hand-in-hand. Both allow me to disengage from the computer and expand my creativity. Cooking allows me to be creative with my hands, and working out helps me tune in and focus my mind and body on a singular task. These hobbies allow me to be creative outside of work and unwind just enough to harness new creativity when I sit back down at my desk to create!”
Michelle: Surfing the Waves & Wheels of Creativity
“For me, the ocean is more than just a place to relax; it’s a source of endless inspiration and creativity. Surfing demands complete focus and presence, qualities I find invaluable in my professional life. When I’m surfing, I have to be entirely in the moment, reading the waves and responding to their movements. This intense focus clears my mind and helps me find a fresh, uncluttered perspective. It’s like hitting the reset button.
Whether I’m catching a wave or simply soaking in the beauty of the sea, my time in the ocean fuels my creativity and brings a renewed sense of energy and inspiration to my work. Surfing not only keeps me physically active but also nurtures my mind and spirit. It’s a hobby that truly connects me to nature and my inner creative self.
And when I’m not in the water, you’ll often find me on my longboard, cruising through parks and natural areas. Skateboarding, like surfing, requires balance, agility, and quick thinking. It’s another way for me to stay active and clear my mind. The simple pleasure of gliding along paths and feeling the wind as I skate is incredibly invigorating. Both surfing and longboarding keep my creativity flowing and my spirit energized.”
Gilda: Sewing Stress Away
“I used to sew a lot when I was a kid. I made saddles for my plastic horses, a full wardrobe for my sister’s doll ‘Tatters’ who had no shoulders (seriously, a triangle for a body…), and really odd art (like a Maharishi Mickey composed of stuffed black velvet arms with a psycho yellow 3-fingered Mickey Mouse glove on each end, all braided into a big puffy knot.) I can’t tell you why… Maybe because my Mom was an artist who had piles of random materials lying around the house. Maybe because no one said it was a stupid thing to do?
Anyway, when I get stressed out, creating one-off animules is my meditation. : )
Here are a few recent dolls designed and produced for a fav kid in the neighborhood. (Her dog, on the left, is our dog’s best friend and my best model ever.)”
Jonathan: Cultivating Calm and Creativity Through Gardening
“Gardening has been my go-to relaxation activity since I was young. Now, with a huge garden space and a completed fence, I can fully enjoy the process.
Gardening offers countless health (mental and otherwise) benefits:
Stress Reduction: Engaging with nature through gardening can lower cortisol levels, which helps reduce stress. The act of being outside and connecting with nature has a calming effect.
Physical Activity: Gardening involves physical activity, which is known to release endorphins, the body’s natural mood elevators. This physical exertion can also lead to better sleep, which further enhances mental well-being.
Mindfulness and Focus: Gardening requires concentration on specific tasks, which can help individuals practice mindfulness. This focus on the present moment can reduce anxiety and help people disconnect from their worries.
Sense of Achievement: Watching plants grow and thrive gives a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This can boost self-esteem and provide a feeling of purpose.
Connection to Nature: Spending time in nature has been shown to improve mood and reduce feelings of depression. The sights, sounds, and smells of a garden can be soothing and rejuvenating.
Creativity and Expression: Gardening allows for creative expression through the design and maintenance of a garden space. This creative outlet can be therapeutic and fulfilling.
Routine and Responsibility: Taking care of a garden provides a routine and a sense of responsibility, which can be especially beneficial for those struggling with mental health issues. It gives structure to the day and a reason to get up and be active.
Social Interaction: Community gardens or gardening groups can provide social interaction and a sense of community. Social connections are important for mental health, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
I personally experience all these payoffs from my time in the garden, with the exception of the social interaction piece. I prefer my time in the garden to be solo so I can really clear my mind from the distractions of others. These combined effects have made gardening something that is both enjoyable and essential to my life. Reaping the physical and mental health benefits as well as the abundant harvest encourages me to keep at it. Now if I could just find a way to keep the squirrels from stealing all the tomatoes as they ripen, gardening might become a completely stress-free activity for me.”
Embrace Your Passion to Spark Creativity
By sharing the hobbies that fuel our creativity, we hope to inspire others to find their passions outside the office. At Uptown Studios, these activities not only enrich our personal lives but also infuse our professional work with fresh perspectives and renewed energy. From the focused intensity of barre to the artistic expression of cake decorating, the culinary creativity of cooking, the tranquility of gardening, the meditative art of sewing, and the waves of surfing, each hobby plays a vital role in sparking our creativity and enhancing our overall well-being.
So, the next time you find yourself in need of a creative boost, remember that sometimes the best ideas come from stepping away from the desk and diving into the activities that bring you joy. These moments of passion and relaxation can light up your imagination and bring a fresh vibe to your workday.
