The other day, someone asked me what my favorite hobby is. After a few seconds of “Uhhhh. Ummm,” I came up with the lame answer, “I enjoy going to the movies.” What would your answer be if someone asked you? I’m sure some of you enjoy recreational activities that easily come to mind. In my case, I’m not sure that binge-watching Breaking Bad or Game of Thrones constitutes a hobby.
A hobby gives you time to relax, which can, in turn, reduce your stress level. Everyone should have at least one. The problem with having a hobby nowadays is that you have to be so involved with the hobby. If you’re a jogger, it’s no longer enough to cruise around the block; you have to be training for the next marathon. If you paint, you can’t just put brush to paper or canvas for pleasure; you have to be trying to land a gallery show. And if you like to cook, you dang well BETTER have your own podcast so people can watch you making delicious 15 minute meals that can feed 25 of your closest friends on a Tuesday night.
I think the reason that so many of us don’t have hobbies is because we’re afraid of being bad at them. That’s why I don’t cook, do interior design, or play pickle ball! Hobbies are supposed to be something different from work. The “pursuit of excellence” has replaced the enjoyment of leisure for the true amateur. There’s nothing wrong with deciding to learn to speak Italian in your 40s. What if you are in your 60s and you want to write the great American novel? The expectation of excellence can be overbearing.
Basically, hobbies are divided into four classes: doing things, making things, collecting things and learning things. Fortunately, you can find ways to cover all four here on St. Simons Island. There are lots of great year-round activities here; so if you haven’t climbed to the top of the lighthouse, taken a painting class, collected sharks’ teeth on the beach, or attended one of the talks at the library or the Coastal Georgia Historical Society Center, go! Get out there and get yourself a hobby!
