Hello munchkins!
The rainy season is finally here, and I’m feeling all cozy with a warm cup of coffee in hand! While scrolling through Substack this week, I stumbled upon a post that really made me pause and reflect…
It gradually made me wonder: why don’t we ask people about their hobbies more often?
So this week, I did just that! Everyone I met—colleagues, friends, family - I asked them one simple question:
“What are your hobbies?”
And the answers were… all over the place.
Some people lit up instantly as they talked about their passions, and others just said “Netflix” or “online shopping.”
It hit me—hobbies are powerful. They’re one of the few things in life that belong entirely to you. They’re not about your work, your family, your friends—or even money. It’s something that’s just yours.
So, what exactly is a hobby?
The dictionary says:
A hobby is something you do regularly for pleasure in your free time.
But I wasn’t fully convinced. So I asked ChatGPT, and it said:
“A hobby is an activity you do regularly for enjoyment, typically during your free time, and not for money or external validation. It's something you choose purely because it gives you pleasure, relaxation, or a sense of fulfillment.”
Honestly, that makes more sense.
So no - Netflix, Instagram, and YouTube aren’t really hobbies. Unless, of course, you're using them intentionally—like watching documentaries, educational videos, or films you actually reflect on.
Looking at it this way, I felt a bit called out by my own screen time stats
Sure, I make reels as a hobby, and that counts, but I know I need to cut down on the endless scrolling.
Before getting married, my mom was really into cross-stitching, painting, and all things artsy.
In fact, there’s a painting she made that still hangs in our staircase—it has Ganesha in the center. It makes me smile every time I see it.
It reminds me of how young and free she was back then, when she had the time and space to create whatever she wanted.
Over the years, things changed. She no longer paints, but I think she did recognize the value of hobbies—either that or she just wanted to get rid of me - because I ended up taking a bunch of classes: Kathak, art, music… the works.
As a kid, I was that girl picking up random feathers just to turn them into crafts.
I took Kathak classes after school (mostly because I hated studying), but I didn’t realize back then how those little hobbies were shaping me.
Now I see it—they reflect in the work I do, the places I want to visit, and even in the content I’m drawn to.
What you feed, grows. And hobbies are no different.
This whole week has reminded me to invest more time into hobbies.
Because I noticed something interesting in people too:
The one who loves cricket? Always shows team spirit at work.
The one who enjoys cooking? Has the most nurturing, motherly instincts.
The ones who read and write? Often deeply introspective and thoughtful.
The ones who care for plants or pets? Incredibly responsible and connected to nature.
We often overlook the value of hobbies because they don’t seem “productive.”
But in reality, they shape us in subtle but meaningful ways.
Currently trying to finish…..
Fun fact:
Steve Jobs loved calligraphy. At the time, he had no idea that it would later influence Apple’s iconic fonts.
Here is an essay worth your time, with a different take
I have just found myself going back to Bliss Foster’s fashion documentaries lately, and I am kind of obsessed healthily.
So no, the goal isn’t to be great at a hobby. The point is just to have them- to learn, grow, relax, and let something new unfold in the process.
Six months into 2025 already? Until next time!