A hobby is an activity that people do in their spare time, outside of work and family responsibilities. It is often an enjoyable and relaxing activity. Hobbies can range from a childish pursuit such as playing with dolls to something more sophisticated like sewing clothes, building model cars or houses and painting miniature portraits. A hobby can also be a way to keep oneself fit by playing sports or doing yoga. Hobbies can be social, such as playing board games with friends or a group of people. Having a hobby can be a way to meet people with similar interests and it is a good way to relax and unwind.
Hobbies can be either casual, where people pursue them infrequently and/or for short periods of time or serious, such as making a living from their hobby. Some hobbies may lead to a product such as woodworking, photography, filmmaking, fashion design and modeling (making costumes from an existing creative property, for example cosplay), jewelry making, software projects such as Photoshopping and home music or video production, crafting, art – including drawing and painting, papercraft (creating models out of card stock or other materials) and even sculpting and juggling.
Hobbies can be solo or social, with examples including journaling – great for introverts who enjoy the opportunity to reflect on their thoughts and feelings – and reading (a classic stress reliever). Hiking is another excellent way to take your mind off daily life, and a great outdoor hobby that’s perfect for all ages. Other popular hobbies include playing a musical instrument, learning a language through apps such as DuoLingo, and solving puzzles like crosswords and Sudoku to improve problem-solving skills and reduce depression.