“You’re too old for that.”
“Why don’t you invest in something else?”
“That sounds like a waste of time.”
Some people don’t understand my hobbies or hobbies in general. Some consider them to be a waste of my time and money; they think I should be “adulting” and investing in things like a house or a new car. They also think I should be saving my money and investing in stocks, bonds, or whatnot.
While I do agree with those investments and find them to be incredibly beneficial, there’s also nothing wrong with having a few hobbies that bring you joy. You can’t be serious all the time: you need to have some fun too. Here’s my argument for why I love my hobbies, and hopefully this article will inspire you to pick up a new hobby too!
my hobbies
I have various interests, all of which are near and dear to my heart. First, I’m an avid video game fan and have been for years. Ever since I was gifted a Wii U for Christmas in 2013, Nintendo games have been a large part of my life. When I was younger, I loved games like Mario Kart 8 and Yoshi’s Woolly World. I loved the thrill of dashing along a high-speed racecourse or traversing through a comfortable world made entirely out of yarn.
Now, I’m especially interested in The Legend of Zelda franchise. I’ve completed Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, and I’m currently in the middle of playing Twilight Princess. So far, I can confidently say I’ve enjoyed all of these games, even though they provide different experiences. From a linear adventure to open-world discoveries, there’s something for everyone within the fictional world of Hyrule.
Aside from video games, I have tangible interests as well. I love stuffed animals: it started with a Stitch plush I received when I was seven years old, and my collection grew from there. From other Stitch friends to bears and even to dinosaurs (shoutout Happy Dinosaur!), you name it, I most likely have it in plush form. I also love collecting LEGO sets of various places I’ve visited and characters I love. I have multiple sets revolving around London (where I studied abroad), multiple sets from the Lilo and Stitch franchise, and cool animals like giraffes.
Activity-wise, I love listening to music and reading books. My favorite music artists lately have been Malcolm Todd, Lizzy McAlpine, and The Neighbourhood. My all-time favorite album, however, is Badlands by Halsey. My favorite book series is a classic: the Harry Potter series (proud Slytherin here), but my favorite standalone book is Speed of Life by Carol Weston. I first read it in middle school and absolutely fell in love with the story and its characters, not to mention there’s a character named Alexa. Listening to music and reading books provide a strong sense of escapism. I can put my AirPods in, queue up a playlist full of familiar songs, and tune out my surroundings. I love picking up a good book, turning the pages, and getting lost in a world beyond my imagination. When I combine relaxing lofi music with a physical book, I enter a “flow state” where I’m fully immersed and can feel at peace.
why i love them
I love my hobbies because they allow me to unwind, relax, and have fun. After a long day of classes and activities, I love coming back to the comfort of my room and unwinding however I choose. Whether that’s reading a good book, exploring fictional worlds in video games, or browsing LEGO sets I probably shouldn’t buy, I wouldn’t be me without my interests and hobbies.
Occasionally, I’ve been told that I’m spending too much time or money on my hobbies. However, I respectfully disagree. They bring me joy and allow me to truly live my life. Sure, you can live life by breathing, eating, and drinking water, but are you truly living if you’re not having a bit of fun? There’s nothing wrong with enjoying hobbies: as long as you live within your means and don’t cause harm, you should absolutely pursue what you love.
My hobbies are a crucial part of my identity and have helped me cope with life in so many ways. I can’t imagine a world without them, and I certainly can’t imagine who I’d be if I didn’t unwind now and then. Go pursue your hobbies and live your best life!