One of my favorite questions to ask someone I’ve just met, often immediately after learning their name, is “What are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?”
It usually takes people by surprise because it’s not a social norm to go from name-to-“tell me your hobbies”.
Quite frankly, I hate small-talk “how’s the weather” type generic conversations. We can do better than that, stranger or not.
Nine times out of ten this question is met with “oh, um well…I like…” and then people go into their unique hobbies and what makes THEM tick. I love hearing people talk about the subjects or activities that get them excited. It’s especially enjoyable when I don’t know anything about the subject but I just listen to them talk about it.
Before you know it, a real conversation with actual substance has begun.
And would you look at that, we successfully skipped right past the weather-talk.
Hobbies are important because they keep us child-like and as adults it’s important to retain that essence of simple joys.
There’s a lot of times, however, people have told me they “don’t have hobbies” or “work is my hobby”. How sad and unfortunate.
Oddly enough I also love that answer because I’m very good at pulling this information out of them and making them dig a little to “what made you the person you were as a teenager? 20’s? 30’s? When did that passion leave? Why?”
Wouldn’t you know it, every time these people leave our conversation they’re inspired to “get back into X…” Why? Because I LOVE talking about my hobbies and talking to others about theirs and they see the very innocent joy hobbies bring out in a person. It’s a beautiful thing.
To all my parents out there who think hobbies die once you have kids, I’m here to tell you “they don’t have to” and I’ll even go as far to say “they shouldn’t”.
Sure, we must sacrifice ourselves for our children as parents but you’ll find that when you still dedicate the time to what makes YOU tick you will be a BETTER husband, wife, dad, and human.
Your soul is topped-off making you a higher-quality human being.
You will also be teaching your kids by example what it’s like to seek some joy and good old-fashioned FUN in life and you can even share that fun WITH them. Win win.
Some people spend too much time on their hobbies and not enough time on the work that needs to be done so like anything in life a balance needs to be struck, but if you’re someone who neglects prioritizing time dedicated to your joys in life, it’s time to change that.
Give yourself permission to pursue fun each and every week.
Dare I say, for at least a few minutes, every single day.
James Appleton is a founder and co-owner of Absolute Aid. When he's not running a company or writing content, he is usually somewhere in the great outdoors, climbing mountains, deadlifting, or spending time with his wife and daughters. James is passionate about helping others to become the only source of motivation and inspiration they need to accomplish the goals they seek. He fully embodies the essence of Seek To Do More day in and day out.
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