What Is a Hobby?
A hobby is an activity engaged in for enjoyment and self-fulfillment outside of professional or at-home responsibilities. Hobbies may be rooted in career pursuits (such as graphic design or playing an instrument), but personal joy intrinsically drives the choice to engage in a hobby, rather than extrinsic rewards like financial gain.
Hobbies are often relaxing, and they are a good way to relieve stress. They can also be an opportunity to learn new skills and broaden one’s horizons. For example, a hobby such as painting or making collages can expose one to different styles of art and help develop visual perception. Hobbies can also be a healthy alternative to unhealthy habits, such as spending too much time on social media or not enough time engaging in a physical activity. Instead of slouching on the couch watching Netflix, try taking an improv class or working on a jigsaw puzzle before bed.
Some hobbies are based on creating an end product, such as woodworking and other craft projects, software projects, artistic projects, modeling or papercraft (building miniature models out of card or paper), cosplay (designing, creating, and wearing costumes), and various sports. Others, like collecting or fixing or tinkering, may not result in an end product, but still provide a satisfying activity.
Hobbies can be an excellent opportunity to build relationships with other people who share your interests, or they can serve as a distraction from work-related or family obligations. Hobbies can also expose children to positive activities and teach them the value of perseverance, creativity, or teamwork.