Not all in
the above list can be called as hobbies – I think – because not all seem to be activities
in the reasonable sense of the word. Hearing music can’t be a hobby and so is
reading. Well, one might defend reading as a hobby, but I think only if some
conditions prevail.
Classifying how we spend our time?
We spend our
time either creating, or consuming or resting. If you think its stupid of me to
make such a classification, then that would be fair. For instance, without
consuming and resting – both which allow for maintenance – creating would be
impossible. But the separation is still important to understand the essence of
a hobby.
Defining A hobby
So, I’d like
to define a hobby as an activity that results in a build up of a body of work –
a tangible output. You may be a bird-watcher and so you might be maintaining a field
diary of different birds you have seen, their photographs. Your inputs may
include field guides, reference books, binoculars etc and above all, your
dedication and time. May be then, a hobby is a lot like work, just a lot more
fun.
Reading -
say history books – too results in a build-up of historical insights. But I don’t
think all types of reading can qualify. Most of it is passive and just doesn’t
adds up. Like reading newspapers!
An activity should
be such which requires application of the mind and that engages it and doing it
makes you better at it. Your precision of that task improves.
Summing up a
hobby is an activity you do regularly for pleasure, the task is absorbing and
doing it makes you better at it.
My hobbies
I deliberate
on writing, though I don’t think I write a lot. I like the aesthetics of words
and the tranquilizing effect it has on the mind. It combs the mind and help
organize my thought, like this essay.
I read books
on history, economics health and fitness along with fiction. I want to
especially gain some insights into evolution and the human body processes to be
able to lead a healthy life. I also want
to try out origami, sketching and painting among other things.
