Introduction
Leisure is an essential practice to transform and express self differently. Matthews (2016) argues that leisure is time that is not given to work but is directly provided for self-care or one’s rest. People often use time outside of work as an opportunity for self-development.
Discussion
The choice of leisure activities depends on various characteristics that vary depending on the person’s life, what they like to do, and what their identity is (Matthews, 2016). Leisure allows one to do something that a person has not found the time or opportunity to do before. Subsequently, this opens up new abilities and will enable people to express themselves from other sides. Leisure practice plays a significant role for people both in terms of recreation and personal growth.
Leisure often helps to create and strengthen social ties that are established through the presence of shared interests among people. In my case, leisure helped strengthen ties with people and make many new ones that, at some stages, helped my self-development. In some cases, leisure and general activities can lead to negative consequences and collisions (Spaaij, 2012).
Conclusion
I have always participated in recreational activities that brought people together, and thus they helped each other in development. Spaaij (2012) argues that joint activities in the framework of leisure play a significant role in the socialization of each person. I participated in sports leisure and groups engaged in reading and discussing what I read in other groups, which later allowed me to create many social contacts.
Reference List
Matthews, A 2016, ‘Leisure’, in K Hupatz, M Hawkins & A Matthews (eds), Identity and belonging, Palgrave Macmillan, London, UK, pp. 154-67.
Spaaij, R 2012, ‘Beyond the playing field: experiences of sport, social capital, and integration among Somalis in Australia’, Ethnic and Racial Studies, vol. 35, no. 9, pp. 1519-38.