A hobby is an activity that provides enjoyment, relaxation or fulfillment outside of one’s regular job or responsibilities. Hobbies can take the form of creative pursuits, such as painting or writing, or more physical activities, such as gardening or playing sports. Hobbies often provide a sense of accomplishment and can help boost self-esteem. They can also provide a welcome break from work and serve to improve a person’s work-life balance.
Hobbies can bring people together as well. Whether it’s joining a bowling league or taking a pottery class, hobbies can give people something to talk about and share common interests with other people. They can also serve as a social outlet, particularly for individuals who may not otherwise have many friends outside of their family.
In addition, many hobbies require goal-setting and progress-tracking. Whether it’s seeing a garden grow or mastering the art of origami, these activities give people a reason to set aside time each day and focus on improving their skills. Hobbies can also boost confidence and self-esteem by giving people a sense of pride in their accomplishments, such as the satisfaction of finishing a marathon or mastering a new crochet stitch.
In a job interview, highlighting a candidate’s hobbies can be a great way to showcase their creativity, lateral thinking skills and commitment to learning on their own. However, it’s important to ensure that hobbies are not used as a replacement for work or school. It’s a good idea for children to get involved in hobbies early on in order to develop their motor skills and encourage them to engage with other people with the same interests.
