A hobby is an activity that people engage in outside of work for enjoyment. Hobbies can involve collections, participating in sports and activities, or creative projects such as gardening and art. People’s hobbies may be casual where they do something occasionally or short-lived, or they may be more serious where they pursue a specific goal or product over a longer period of time.
Hobbies are often seen as a good way to relieve stress, gain confidence and improve mental health. They can also be a way to socialise with friends or meet new people. Historically, hobbies were often seen as childish or trivial but there has been a cultural shift towards their acceptance. In modern society, they can provide a sense of meaning and purpose as well as offering an outlet for creativity.
Some hobbies can result in an end-product such as woodworking, photography, video production, jewelry making or software projects. Other hobbies are more creative and may include painting, cosplay (design, creation and wearing a costume based on an already existing creative property) or papercraft (creating models out of card stock or paper). In the past, many hobbies were solitary but today there is greater community involvement with some hobbies, such as knitting clubs, choral societies and gardening groups.
Some hobbies are low-cost and can be done from home or with friends. For example, scrapbooking is a popular pastime that can help preserve memories and keepsakes. Another great hobby is yoga, which can help reduce stress and is easy to practice at home or with a group of friends.