Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Good Hobby

Recently, I was running with my buddy Dave–for the first time in three months, because of the Quarantine–and we were talking about our hobbies. He told me he recently started building and flying model airplanes, something he had wanted to do since childhood.

I agreed that having good hobbies adds a lot to one’s life, that I appreciated hobbies more than ever.

In fact, during the course of that conversation–as we ran–I got in touch with just how much the Hobby is a part of my life.

For one, many of my adult piano students are not professional musicians. For them, music is a passionate hobby, something they love that supplements their obligations–such as work and family–and enriches their lives.

For another thing, a lot of my most cherished activities I write about constantly on this blog could be described as hobbies. Even this blog itself could be considered a hobby, even though I bring professionalism to how I approach it.

Even my interest in personal finance could be construed as a “hobby,” in the sense that I get enjoyment out of it, I read about the topic beyond the ordinary amount needed to be successful at it, and I would say that I do it “for fun.” That our finances benefit from it doesn’t take away from the fact that I enjoy it.

Same with running: I have great passion for running, and I dedicate many hours every month to it. In the spirit of great hobbies, I invest a lot of time in it, which time is rewarded in personal satisfaction and expansion.

The word “hobby” has a light, fun, easy-going quality. I think of a hobby as is the adult equivalent of hanging out a friend’s house as a kid, watching movies, eating pizza, and playing video games. It has a fun and easy-going recreational energy about it, free of the heaviness and weight we put on “important” things.

In fact, very often things which start as hobbies can become a lot more. Side business, large businesses, even whole new careers have grown out of what started as a hobby.

Hobbies can be extremely powerful because they include the essential elements of satisfaction and joy.

You might say that over the past few years I have built my life around enjoying fun activities–ie hobbies.

So what I’m saying is, long live hobbies! You rock!