Hobbies, Interests, and the Ongoing Process of Figuring Myself Out

Let’s touch base on hobbies and interests.

I’m not going to write a whole paragraph explaining why I’ve been quiet, where I’ve been, or what’s been going on. No dramatic re-entry. No long list of reasons. The truth is—I don’t really have a good excuse. Or maybe I have several: laziness, depression, mental clutter, emotional exhaustion. Pick one. Or all of the above.

The important part is this: I’m here now.

When Hobbies Stop Making Sense

Hobbies and interests have been a struggle for me for years. I spent a long time being a people-pleaser, choosing things that were acceptable, explainable, or wouldn’t require me to justify myself or navigate other people’s feelings about what I liked.

And then my world collapsed. Dakota was gone.

And suddenly I realized something uncomfortable:I didn’t actually know who I was anymore.What I liked.What I wanted to do.Or how I wanted to do it.

If you’ve been here for a while, you’ll know I’ve tried things. I explored. I found enjoyment in certain activities and tried to piece myself back together one interest at a time. And then… I stopped. I’m not entirely sure why. I could speculate, but honestly, that feels like a rabbit hole best left alone for now.

Hobbies vs. Interests (They’re Related, But Not Twins)

Hobbies and interests are similar—but they’re not the same thing.

A hobby is something you do.An interest is something that catches your attention.

Often, hobbies start as interests. Sometimes interests stay interests and never become hobbies—and that’s okay. Not everything needs to be monetized, mastered, or turned into a personality trait.

Things I’ve Tried (A Very Honest Inventory)

Hobbies I’ve Tried and Actually Enjoyed

• Reading

• Crocheting

• Colouring and painting

• Writing

• Camping

• Gardening

• Puzzles and board games

• Hiking

• Family tree mapping

These are the things that brought me calm, curiosity, or a sense of quiet accomplishment. No pressure. No need to be “good” at them. Just… enjoyable.

Hobbies I’ve Tried and Could Happily Never Do Again

• Crypto tradingA money pit. A mental drain. A pain in the ass. Overly complicated, emotionally exhausting, and absolutely not worth the effort. Hard pass.

• Sports (all of them)I never enjoyed them. I was never good at them. I see no reason to force a relationship where there is clearly no chemistry.

Hobbies I Enjoyed… But Aging, Asthma, and COVID Had Other Plans

• RunningIf you ever see me running, something dangerous is chasing me. Please run too.

• Roller skating and ice skating

• Bowling

• Swimming

I liked these once. My body has since filed formal complaints.

The Current Mission: Try Without Overcommitting

Lately, I’ve been working on a list of hobbies and interests I want to try—things that might spark a feeling somewhere between happiness and contentment.

The internet is full of hobby lists. It’s dangerously easy to create the world’s longest “maybe someday” list. The real challenge is narrowing it down to:

• What I’m actually willing to try

• What’s affordable

• What won’t turn into a guilt-inducing pile of unused supplies

Some hobbies are expensive to even dip a toe into. Leatherworking, for example, sounds interesting—but the cost of tools and materials is a commitment I’m not ready to make unless I’m sure it’s a yes. I’m trying to be mindful of that.

I’m also trying not to lean too hard into hobbies that are… less than healthy:

• Video games (in excess)

• Doom scrolling TikTok or Facebook

• Lying in bed all day

• Sitting on the couch doing absolutely nothing

None of those are evil—but none of them are helping me feel better long-term either.

What Comes Next

Here’s the plan:I’m aiming to try one new hobby or interest per month.

Once a month, I’ll write about what I tried, what I thought, and whether it’s something I want to keep, toss, or politely thank and move on from. No pressure. No perfection. Just honest experimentation.

If you have ideas for inexpensive hobbies or interests that you enjoy, feel free to share them. I’ll happily add them to my growing “to try” list.

Here’s hoping I find a few feel-good things along the way—things that make me feel happy, content, grounded… or at the very least, slightly more like myself.