Hobbies

The word ‘hobby’ keeps popping up lately.

I was watching this couple on TikTok, who have four kids under the age of seven, they joke about all the crazy things that happen parenting. The wife keeps saying she needs a hobby.

I’m pretty sure she’s kidding, but maybe not.

G’s mom is stuck in the house due to all the snow and freezing temperatures lately. She really does need a hobby, something besides playing Solitaire. Hobbies are good ways to pass time.

Its possible painting is my mine. At least painting my own non commissioned art.

What is the definition of hobby anyway?

So does that mean running a non profit is a hobby? Now I just have more questions. Doing something for enjoyment is maybe the best definition. I think the word hobby lowers the bar and keeps it light. And fun. Which is the opposite of the way things have felt art wise, lately.

If I’ve re-learned anything this past week and month, it’s that there are aspects of being an artist that aren’t really fun, certainly not enjoyable.

Maybe that bumps it out of the hobby category. Still, I do enjoy the process of actually painting.

If you know me, you know I want to keep things light and as fun as I can, because that is my preference.

A long time ago, and before I looked up the definition, I would have called worrying my hobby. I used to spend big chunks of time thinking of what might go wrong or what I was doing wrong, or what was wrong with me. Or analyzing every encounter, or everything I did.

Definitely not enjoyable, but it kept my mind busy. Over time I replaced that hobby with graditude. Which fits the definition better. When I find myself settling in to my old pastime, I now remember that, oh yeah, I gave it up because, it wasn’t just not enjoyable anymore, it made everything way worse.

So that’s my answer. I gave up worrying. There is no room for it in my life. It’s an activity that I lost interest in. I hope I’ve outgrown it.