Why Is the Definition of A Hobby Important?
One of the common search queries leading visitors to Hobbies 4 Life is a question in the form of “Is X a hobby?”, where X represents an activity.
Why do people often try to verify whether a certain activity is considered a hobby?
While we can’t be certain, we can speculate that the term ‘hobby’ may carry a formal status. If an activity is classified as a hobby, it might be deemed worthy of pursuit. Conversely, if an activity is not considered a hobby, it may be viewed as unworthy of our time – because it isn’t a thing.
Therefore, defining a hobby might help us take up certain activities, improve our well-being, and avoid other activities that might disguise themselves as hobbies.
Our Definition of A Hobby
We offer the following definition for a hobby:
A hobby is anything we do with the primary, immediate and end goal of enjoying ourselves and relaxing, which successfully and sustainably fulfils this goal and doesn’t prevent others from relaxing and enjoying themselves.
Our Definition of A Hobby
Thinking about it, a hobby is the only type of activity that follows this definition.
Of course, a hobby can have many more great side effects.
By this definition, mindless smartphone use isn’t a hobby because, although we might engage in it to relax and enjoy ourselves, it doesn’t have a sustainable positive effect.
Is X a Hobby?
One of the common search queries leading visitors to Hobbies 4 Life is in the form of ‘Is X a hobby?’, where X represents some sort of activity.
To answer this type of question using our proposed definition of a hobby, we can ask ourselves: ‘Do we engage in X with the primary goal of improving our well-being, and does it have a sustainable positive effect?’.
Is Doing Nothing a Hobby?
Research shows our brain is never really doing nothing. Instead, our brain enters a default mode1. Interestingly, this default mode is related to an intense aesthetic experience.2
Doing nothing is, in fact, doing something – and it can definitely improve our well-being sustainably:
[…] the research is strong when it comes to the benefits of slowing down, from emotional perks — like reducing anxiety — to physical advantages — like curtailing the aging process and strengthening the body’s ability to fight off a common cold.
Everything About Niksen, The Dutch Concept of Doing Nothing | TIME
So yes, doing nothing does follow the definition of a hobby. The Dutch call it Niksen.
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