What is a Hobby?

A hobby is an activity, interest or occupation that people take up for pleasure. Hobbies can involve activities such as collecting, painting, playing music or exercising. Hobbies can also be social, like dancing or playing cards. Some hobbies can be expensive, such as yachting or collecting rare stamps.

Hobbies can be a good way to relax and relieve stress. They can help a person develop new skills and may also lead to career opportunities. Hobbies can provide a sense of achievement and pride. However, some hobbies are addictive and can become a serious addiction. If a hobby becomes a full-time job, it can cause financial problems and may interfere with other aspects of life.

Unlike professional development or at-home responsibilities, hobbies are self-driven pursuits of personal joy. The enjoyment you derive from a morning swim or a weekly painting class can actually make you better at your work.

Some hobbies result in an end product such as woodworking, sculpting, software projects like photoshopping or home music and video production, jewelry making and Cosplay (designing, creating and wearing costumes based on existing creative properties). Others are solitary like bird watching and playing card games.

Many people pursue hobbies to meet people with the same interests. This can be a great way to build a social network or find romantic partners. People may even start businesses as a sideline to their primary jobs. The word hobby has a long history and was first recorded in 1557 as the term for an object that mimicked a horse and carried its rider. The modern usage is thought to have begun in the mid-18th century when a shift to leisure time allowed many more people to engage in hobbies that they enjoyed.