Life is all about having an overall sense of balance and a big part of that whole equation is to have a hobby. After all, if your life is positively consumed with the world of work, you leave yourself with virtually no time to live life. There needs to be an outlet.
Everyone Deserves a Vice
And that’s where we start. Some people enjoy fashion, so they’ll spend their money on buying new clothes. Some people enjoy gadgets, so they’ll get caught up in buying the newest smartphones. Other people may love movies, so they’ll build up an extensive DVD collection.
Yes, there is absolutely something to be said about spending your money wisely, but we also have to realize that money is a means. Why earn the money if you can’t spend it on something that makes you happy? Yes, be smart. Yes, strive to make more. Yes, save for a rainy day, but don’t forget to treat yourself every once in a while too.
Can a Hobby Go Too Far?
At the same time, we also have to recognize that there is a fine line between what is considered a healthy hobby and what is considered an unhealthy vice. Using the above image as an example, some people like to paint miniature figurines. That’s artistic and require a lot of skill. It can also be a rewarding hobby.
However, if the money being spent on these miniatures and their supplies is starting to have adverse effects on other (more important) areas in your life, you’ll need to reconsider your priorities. Similarly, I like to eat out, but this has to be done in moderation. I don’t want to literally eat myself out of house and home.
If It Makes You Happy…
I’ll be the first to admit that I am mostly on the frugal side of things. I’m hum and haw over purchases for the longest time, hesitant to part with my hard-earned cash. At the same time, I enjoy splurging on a good meal and I think my happiness deserves that.
Two of the biggest factors determining whether you are happy in life are perceived progress and control. Having a healthy hobby can give you that sense of control and, depending on what it is, you can get that sense of progress too… like getting better at Street Fighter.
Mike, I have a different perspective to this. For me hobby as a passion has drived me to business. Yes, when my blog became my business.
Not many people can be as fortunate as you to turn your hobby into a business.
But when it become a business, it’s no more a hobby, isn’t it?
I don’t know if fortunate is quite the right word. There may be some luck involved, but fortune favors the bold.
I am with you on this one. Work has engulfed me for sometime and i just now started to give back to myself a little, by hitting up a couple concerts. My hobbie’s are too expensive for me to continue with them with the economy so bad, so I have to save for awhile b4 I can actually do anything. Times are tough right now
Good post that hits home for sure, Mike. Throughout my life, I have tended to let my hobbies drive me to the point of obsession. It started with comic books as a kid. What started out as a fun past time soon turned into a fervent craze to collect every single issue, blow my monthly allowances on special editions, and so on. Then later on in my teens, it was the same way with music.
Now, I really don’t let it happen anymore. I enjoy everything in moderation as much as possible and not get totally obsessed with anything in particular.
-Jean
When people spent too much time and money in pursuit of their hobbies, the obsession took over and affect their lives and the people around them.
Any hobbies can become a vice when the hobbyist obsessed over it, but a very common activity gotten abused is video gaming, to the extent of death on the gamer.