How Important Are Hobbies? A Guide to Finding and Sticking to Hobbies

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When you were a kid, you were probably involved in many different activities and pursued many of your interests. From sports and music, to leadership organizations and volunteering, you might have been involved in everything.

In adult life, you might find it harder to do the things you enjoy. You have more responsibilities, lower energy, and less free time than you did as a kid. If you've been feeling the urge to do more of what you love, this post is for you.

Is it Necessary to Have a Hobby?

The short answer is no. While it's not vital, there are many benefits of having hobbies. If you aren't sure what counts, a hobby is anything you do for pleasure during your leisure time.

The key in that definition is doing things for pleasure. When you commit to doing things that you enjoy, you're more likely to feel joy. This helps improve your physical and mental health. Many hobbies are rooted in community which can help you widen your support system and combat loneliness.

Why Do I Feel Like I Need a Hobby?

You might have clicked on this post because you've been feeling like you need a hobby. There are a lot of factors that might make you feel this way.

If you struggle with work-life balance or feel like you don't have much time to yourself in general, hobbies are dedicated times for you to do something you like. It doesn't have to be huge or a big commitment, it's just a way for you to ensure that you're using your free time to do things that you enjoy.

Feeling lost in your identity or like a purpose is missing from your life could also contribute to the urge to pick up a hobby. Your mind and body might be pushing for you to engage in activities that bring you joy and help you rediscover who you are.

Finally, feeling like you don't have a community is a big reason you might feel like you need a hobby. Many hobbies are tied to community—book clubs, recreational sports, and knitting circles are all examples of groups that do their hobbies together as a way to meet more people.

Why Do I Never Stick to a Hobby?

Finding a hobby is one thing, sticking to it is another. Starting something new might be no issue to you. Seeing it through and committing to it might be where your problems lie.

There are a number of reasons you might struggle to stick to a hobby:

Hobbies start to feel like a chore. When the initial excitement of starting something new wears off, you might start to feel like your hobby is becoming a chore. It no longer brings you enjoyment and instead feels like something you have to do. When you're thinking of picking up a new hobby, think if it's something you're actually interested in and will continuously want to do once the initial excitement has worn off.
Pressure to keep up with your hobby. You might feel pressure to keep up with your hobby which can take away the joy from it. This is especially relevant if you're learning a new skill and tell people about it. They might check in on your progress which adds a layer of pressure for you to keep up with it.
Perfectionism. Many perfectionists struggle to stick with hobbies. When they aren't immediately good at something, they're more likely to quit. The road to perfection might be too long for them and they don't want to keep doing something they aren't good at.
Too busy or too tired. If you have a demanding job or a packed schedule, you might feel too tired to pick up something new or stick with a hobby. If this resonates with you, try not to pick hobbies that don't require much effort to learn or complete. Coloring might be a good hobby for you as a way to unwind at the end of a busy day!

There are many other reasons you might struggle with sticking to a hobby. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself. At the end of the day, a hobby should be something that is fun, not something that feels like a chore.

What Are the 10 Most Common Hobbies?

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Hobbies can be anything—from doing crossword puzzles to rock climbing, the possibilities are truly endless! Some hobbies are totally free while others require you to purchase some type of equipment.

Some hobbies can be done outdoors, while others are fully indoor. Some can be done anywhere! While it might seem appealing, it isn't usually a good idea to try and turn a hobby into a "side hustle." Once you start doing something for financial gain, it can start to feel like a job and take the enjoyment out of it.

If you aren't sure where to start, we've put together a list of the 10 most common hobbies people do in their leisure time.

What Are 5 Outdoor Hobbies?

We split the list into 5 outdoor hobbies and 5 indoor hobbies. This might help narrow your search depending on your preference between spending time indoors or outdoors.

If you're someone who prefers to spend as much time as possible outside, these 5 hobbies might be for you:

Sports. Whether it's watching or playing, sports are an incredibly common hobby. When you decide to root for a specific team, it can introduce you to a new community of fellow fans. Joining a recreational league is a great way to stay active and make friends with your new teammates.
Exercise. From long walks to group classes, exercise is a very healthy hobby to have. Some people struggle to see it as enjoyable when they push themselves and feel the pain of working out. Exercise doesn't have to be grueling, there are ways to keep your body moving without feeling sore the next day.
Gardening. Planting seeds and growing your own produce are refreshing outdoor hobbies. You can reap the benefits of having a colorful garden and eating the things you grow!
Hiking and camping. Spending time in nature and seeing all of the beautiful sights near you are great ways to fill your free time. Unplugging and enjoying the peaceful sounds of the outdoors on a hike or camping can be a great way to unwind after a stressful week.
Fishing and swimming. Being on or in the water are very popular hobbies. Many people like to go out and fish or swim laps as a way to stay active. While fishing tends to be a solitary hobby, it can be nice to go out on the water with a friend and fish side-by-side.

What Are 5 Indoor Hobbies?

If the outdoors aren't quite for you, there are plenty of indoor hobbies that might pique your interest.

You might be surprised by the hobbies you already have from the indoor list. If you're someone who prefers to stay inside, these 5 hobbies might be for you:

Cooking or baking. Trying new recipes and creating delicious food is absolutely a hobby. This goes beyind just making dinner every night (which sometimes can feel like a chore.) This is all about experimentation and expanding your palette. Personally, I love baking desserts and sharing them with my friends.
Crafting. This is a very broad category that has many hobbies within. Friendship bracelet making, creating pottery, painting, scrapbooking, and more are all hobbies that allow you to flex your creative muscles. If you're someone that likes to be creative but doesn't have many opportunities to, crafting might be the right hobby for you.
Gaming. Playing video games or board games fall into this category. Both video games and board games have community elements to them. Whether it's playing virtually with friends or hosting a game night at your place, gaming is a great hobby if you're looking to be more social.
Music. Both listening to music and creating music are hobbies. I love discovering new artists and sharing them with my friends. Playing an instrument is a hobby that keeps your mind stimulated and can be relaxing once you get the hang of it.
Reading. My personal favorite. Reading is an incredibly easy hobby to pick up. You can support your local independent bookstore and buy a book in store. You could listen to an audiobook on your preferred audiobook platform. You could get a library card and read as many books as you'd like! Whatever the case may be, reading is a great hobby to pick up.

Fidget Jewelry Inspired by Different Hobbies

Our CONQUERing community has made it clear that collecting elements for fidget jewelry is a hobby! Picking pieces that they love and styling them each each is something that our CONQUERing community finds joy doing. They've even built a wonderful community where they swap elements, share their favorites, and support one another through tough times.

At the end of the day, what's most important is that you're gaining enjoyment from your hobbies. The older you get and the more you're responsible for, increases the need to have hobbies. It can help you maintain your sense of self and ensure that you're prioritizing your own happiness.

If you already have a hobby and want jewelry to show it off, check out these pieces of fidget jewelry: