Hobbies: Where To Find One
August 2, 2009 | Filed under Life
I’ve been contemplating hobbies. I’ve been unsure about my position as an individual lately, as opposed to someone who’s defined by those around her, and I figured the best way to assert my individuality was to pick up a hobby of some sort. Then I realised I actually already have hobbies. It’s just that they don’t get tangible results, so it’s very easy for people to dismiss them as simply “something I do”, rather than a hobby. But I spend a lot of time on:
Reading
I’m a huge, voracious reader. I don’t get as much time to read as many books now, but if I’ve got the chance, I’ve always got a book in my hand to snatch a few minutes of reading time. I read when I’m on the loo. I read when I’m eating breakfast. I read when I’m brushing my teeth. I read when I’m waiting for people or appointments. I read when I’m on the train. If there was some way of plastic-coating a book so I could read while I’m taking a shower, I’d do that too.
To me, there’s nothing more enjoyable than having a few minutes spare to sit down with a good book and a cup of tea. That’s the point of a hobby right, that you enjoy it?
Online Endeavours
I think it’s very easy for people to dismiss what we (collective we) do online as “oh, just a little something, it’s nothing special”. But it’s a real hobby, a real interest. I love blogging, and keeping up with people’s blogs, leaving comments too if I have the time. My feedreader is absolutely chockablock with feeds – if I leave it unread for a day, I can come back to well over 200 entries to be read. I love forums – I’m a member at Snark and though I’ve been inactive recently, it’s due more to a lack of time rather than a disinterest.
I love social networking – Facebook and Twitter can be viewed by many as being asinine (by myself too originally!), but there’s real merit in their applications. I love that although I haven’t met many of you, I do feel as though I know you. I think the internet and networking in general is fantastic in allowing us to get to know and make friends with others who we might never meet “IRL“, but who can become a great friend. It’s a great depository for information, and fantastic in encouraging critical thinking in sieving out the good from the bad.
Money and Financials
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ll know that I’m, if not technically obsessed with money, making money, saving money, and all other money matters, I’m at least very much in control of my finances. You could dismiss this hobby as a necessity (everyone should control their finances!), but I think the degree to which I control my finances qualifies this to be a hobby. I check my bank balance regularly, I consistently research the best ways to make the most of my money and maximise my returns, I keep up to date with finance, budgeting and frugal news, etc.
And of course, stemming from my attention to finances, comes my fascination with things that money can bring. The holidays I can go on if I save up, the house I can buy if I save up, how home loans work, how long I’d be in debt for, etc. The amount of time I spend each week in controlling my money, budgeting and planning, and the fact that I delight in doing it, definitely qualifies it as a hobby.
So…
The trouble with starting a new hobby of course is that I’m really not crafty enough to take up the usual things. Knitting, crocheting, creating things…that’s not me. I don’t have the creative ‘vision’ for things like that. I like things to be fairly straightforward, clearcut, and with a pretty defined purpose. Keeping in mind that I also don’t like clutter and knick-knacks, I consequently have no idea what I’d actually do with the finished products.
Anyway the best options I think would be to pick up activities like swimming regularly and eBaying again – it’s been months since I’ve gone for a swim, and I do feel less toned overall. My bank balance could also benefit with an extra couple of hundred each month from eBay – though it means I have to source some more stock from op shops. Finding stock to sell would be harder now too – I’ve noticed in recent months that there’s been a definite downturn in people donating to opshops, and an upswing in people actually going to opshops to buy things. Clearly a sign of the economic downturn – people are making do with what they already own rather than buying new, and trying to save pennies wherever possible by buying second-hand!
When it all comes down to it, the real issue with picking up new hobbies is, as usual, time. After all work and uni commitments, as well as basic requirements like sleep and personal hygiene, I have only about fifty hours spare each week. In this time, I have to do chores around the house, do things for my parents, and catch up with both friends and boyfriend. It doesn’t leave much time for hobbies.
9 Responses to Hobbies: Where To Find One
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I think those things are great ways to spend your time. Good luck with filling your time with other things like eBay and swimming again. I hope that you post more of your eBay posts. They were always so cool!
Caity on August 3, 2009 #
I don’t understand the notion that hobbies need to be athletic in order to be valid. I have tons of hobbies outside the people I know, of which physical exercise is a small part of. Having said that, I love to swim and run.
After a quick search on your eBay antics, I’ve also decided you need to write a comprehensive guide to becoming a selling mastermind. I have so much stuff I could sell it’s actually silly.
Lilian on August 3, 2009 #
You already have great ways to spend your free time but if you really want to go ‘do’ something you should pick up swimming again!
I would if I had the time, I love it and I miss it (I used to do synchronised swimming and swam the nationals). Besides, it’s good for toning!
Chans on August 3, 2009 #
Some hobbies are seen as more valuable than others. It’s no different than jobs. It has very little to do with their intrinsic value and more to do with what is difficult or unusual or traditionally prized by society. And also, of course, with how much time it takes compared to how much time you have. This is part of why we value hobbies such as painting and music, because of their traditional value as well as the amount of time required, and sports, because of the physical effort they require.
So it depends why you want to do hobbies. If you’re doing it to “define yourself as an individual”, you need to be picking unusual, exciting hobbies, because otherwise people won’t be impressed. If you want to do it because you enjoy it, then fuck everyone else’s opinion off and do what you enjoy and have time for.
Rebekah on August 3, 2009 #
So we pretty much have a lot of the same hobbies. Except the money part… but I like THINKING about money and by that I don’t mean sitting on a chair with a cup of tea in hand just thinking about it but I like to make an excel sheet of my income and my expenses.
I also know what you mean about not having time for hobbies… but you know, I guess all you can do is try to make time? Or maybe take up a hobby WITH the boyfriend. Like swimming. Does Dylan swim?
Reply: He wants to come swimming to see me in a bikini, but I don’t think that counts…
Felisa on August 3, 2009 #
Wow! I can relate to this predicament on so many levels.
I love to run. It centers me, and I feel so mindful and energized afterwards. But that’s pretty much the only active hobby that I have, because most of the things I like to do (reading, writing) are, physically speaking, incredibly passive in nature. The only thing stopping me from pursuing more active hobbies (bellydancing, tennis classes) is my financial rut — so my current hobby right now is job hunting!
Robmarie on August 4, 2009 #
If I’m bored I tend to start learning a new foreign language. Maybe it’s just me, but the prospect of potentially being able to read foreign literature is motivation enough. Excellent and useful hobby imho.
Macca on August 4, 2009 #
How many hobbies do you need to have and why would you want them to be “legit” hobbies? I think the ones you have now, seem fine and dandy. If other people don’t think their hobbies, why should you be bothered? (sorry for all the questions)
Anyways, I found this site (http://www.discoverahobby.com/). Seems like it’s a useful resource for finding a hobby that you might enjoy.
Since you like reading, why not start a hobby or collecting certain types of books to read. Since you don’t like to keep knick knacks (not sure if you would consider having books already read as such) you can sell them off to a bookstore or second hand shop after about the 10th book or so.
Or you could do the same with money. Collect coins and save them for a rainy day. Sooner or later it’ll become a hobby for you to collect as many as you can?
I’m just throwing random ideas out there, I’m not sure if they would be “legit” hobbies, though. I figured anything you do that requires your free time, is considered a hobby.
Good luck!
Roxanne on August 4, 2009 #
I recently joined two book clubs in order to devote even more time than I already do to read books. Both book clubs have a different focus (with one aimed toward minority women).
I also have picked up a new hobby of book binding. I’m actually thinking of making an etsy shop in order to see if I can sell some of the books I’ve made.
I’d like to pick up a few more hobbies because I still don’t think I’m active enough. I find myself with a lot of free time since I’m a freelance graphic designer.
Reply: I’d love to join a book club, but my working schedule can make my hours very anti-social…I doubt I’d be able to attend regular meetings.
Yolanda on August 4, 2009 #