Why Every Adult Needs Hobbies (And How I Built Mine)
Most adults abandon creativity after school — and honestly, it makes sense.
Between a full-time job, responsibilities, and just keeping up with life overall creativity slowly gets pushed to the side. It becomes something we used to do instead of something we actively make space for. It’s almost like the system was built this way — you can read more of my thoughts on that in Becoming in a World That Wasn’t Built for You. But right now, let’s focus on how we combat it.
Life is more than just work and responsibilities. Hobbies are one of the easiet ways to remind yourself how expansive life can actually be.
Let’s Clear Something Up First
You’ve probably heard this before: “You need 3 hobbies — one to make money, one to keep you in shape, and one to be creative.”
Personally? I think it’s bull.
Hobbies shouldn’t feel like another checklist. The moment you assign rules to them, they stop feeling like an escape and start feeling like pressure — and we already have enough of that. My only rule for hobbies: do what makes you happy. That it’s. No categories, no expectations, no performance.
Here’s what that looks like in my life.
Cooking: My Love Language
I love cooking. It is genuinely my love language — I love cooking for my friends and family and watching them enjoy my food.
But I wasn’t always like this. I started cooking in college out of pure necessity. I had an apartment on campus and the dining hall food was just not it, so I had no choice but to figure it out. It didn’t become a real hobby until COVID, when I suddenly had a lot of free time and decided to actually refine my skills. I’d get inspiration from Tiktok, mess up, try again, and slowly hone in on my craft.
Now I try different Tiktok recipes, baking recipes, and Colombian and Belizean dishes to stay connected to my culture. At this point I feel like I can whip something up from almost any ingredients.
A lot of people don’t view cooking as a hobby because it’s a necessity — but that’s exactly what makes it such a powerful one. You’re already doing it, you might as well enjoy it.
Learning: Becoming the Person I Envisioned
While building my dream life, I realized I want to be an intellectual. Someone who can hold a meaningful conversation, speak intentionally, and understand the world on a deeper level. That realization led me to reading.
I’ve noticed a real shift. Now when I speak, I pause more. I think about my words and choose them more carefully. It might take me a little longer to get my point across, but I know I chose the right words — and that matters to me.
Beyond reading, I’ve been working on learning Spanish (okay, I’ve been slacking — but now I’ve said it here so I’m officially accountable).
This is your reminder: learning is a hobby. Growing is a hobby. Becoming is a hobby.
Exploration: Let Yourself Be Bad at Something
This is where it gets really fun — because there are no rules.
I’ve been learning how to crochet and it has been such an amazing hobby. The fact that I can create something wearable with my own hands is insane to me. Once you open that door, you realize how many options exist — sewing, making accessories, baking, soap making. The list is genuinely endless.
Now I know what you’re thinking: “I don’t have time for all of this.” Here’s my real answer: put your phone down. That’s where you time is.
Don’t expect to finish a project in one day — that’s actually the beauty of it. There’s no deadline, no pressure, no performance. You start something and come back to it whenever. This isn’t a business, it’s a hobby.
Why Hobbies Actually Matter
Hobbies aren’t just a way to pass time. They’re how you reconnect with yourself, explore new sides of who you are, and build a life that actually feels full.
You deserve more than wake up → work → repeat. You deserve to pour into yourself and experience your life.
Unlock the Unwavering
If this resonated, try this small exercise:
Think of 2 activities you’ve been wanting to try: hiking, baking a cake
Schedule time for both within the next 2 weeks: put it on the calendar
The life you want is built in moments like this.
