A hobby is an activity that occupies one’s spare time and is undertaken for enjoyment and personal fulfillment, rather than for financial gain or professional reasons. Having an engaging hobby can improve mental health and alleviate stress. It can also help build healthy habits such as getting enough physical activity or taking a break from social media by doing a jigsaw puzzle before bedtime.
Hobbies can also be a source of pride. Unlike work or family, hobbies allow people to indulge in activities outside of their normal routine and become masters of their own domains. Hobbies can be creative, such as painting, or involve skillful practices like photography and sculpting, or they may be more active, such as biking or kayaking. Some hobbies are solitary, such as motorcycle touring or knitting, while others are communal, such as choral singing or volunteering.
Some hobbies can even be a source of income. For example, some people sell their handmade crafts, such as jewelry or pottery, and make a living from their hobby. However, to qualify for hobby income tax deductions, you must have adequate records and meet certain requirements, such as the time you devote to your hobby and the amount of money you earn from it.
Hobbies can help you develop valuable skills for the workplace and boost your self-esteem. For example, if you enjoy tennis as a hobby, you can use your passion to improve your game and learn new techniques. Oracle CEO Mark Hurd compares the pursuit of a hobby to preparing for a job interview, saying that hobbies can give you a competitive edge.
