Why we forget our ‘hobbies’ in adulthood – and why you should re-discover yours.

Remember when you were a kid, and the world was your oyster? You'd build blanket forts, draw elaborate comics, maybe even choreograph dances with your friends. I was no different. My childhood was a whirlwind of activities: piano lessons, singing classes, musicals, netball games, writing short stories -?even a brief foray into amateur magic tricks.

Then, life happened, as it does for all of us. I spent more than a decade of grinding away at uni, then work took over, with the added complexity of a significant autoimmune disease introduced in my 20’s, which changed many things.

Over time, my passions slowly faded into distant memories. My piano collected dust, my creative writing dwindled, and the only time I’d sing was in the shower. I got caught up in the relentless pursuit of career success and ‘adulting’, convinced that hobbies were frivolous distractions from the "real world."

Sound familiar? If you’re left scratching your head when someone asks if you have a hobby, you're not alone. Studies show that as we age, the time we dedicate to leisure activities significantly decreases.

A 2023 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that 75% of adults wish they had more time for hobbies, citing stress reduction, increased creativity, and improved mental well-being as key motivators.

The science backs this up. Research consistently highlights the undeniable importance of hobbies outside of work, demonstrating that:

• having hobbies can significantly reduce stress, boost creativity and improve overall wellbeing, along with increasing cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills (University of California)
• engaging in enjoyable activities outside of work is linked to lower levels of burnout and higher job satisfaction (Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, 2021)
• engaging in creative hobbies has also been shown to increase cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills (University of California).

My turning point came early in 2024. I’d had a rough year with my health, including a hip replacement while still in my 30's, significant post-surgery complications, and another hip replacement looming. I’d made the difficult decision to step back from my career for a period to focus on my health, which meant disconnecting from a big part of my identity, albeit temporarily. I felt very lost, and the world felt very grey.

With the time to reflect in my ‘sabbatical’, I asked myself – when did I last feel joyful? Sadly, I couldn’t recall! What a sad state of affairs.

I took some time to reflect, casting my mind back to my childhood and adolescence. When I asked myself which hobby made me truly happy, the answer was resoundingly clear – MUSIC! I’d played Mary Magdelene in a high school production of Jesus Christ Superstar and done singing lessons for years – even performing as part of jazz duo with a dear friend in my early 20s… but then – life got in the way.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I booked in an audition for a local acappella group (acappella is singing without accompanying instruments – like the movie, Pitch Perfect). When I got in, I was absolutely chuffed! It had been a long time since I’d sung properly, and I jumped up and down when I found out I had been accepted.

I began attending rehearsals every Sunday night, and started to feel more alive than I’d felt in a long time. Our group even travelled to Auckland in July, to the inaugural World Choir Games. It was the biggest arts and culture event that New Zealand had ever hosted, with 11,000 people from 42 countries.

We even ended up winning the world championships in our division! The entire experience of joining this incredible group of people who loved music has been transformative and has reminded me of the immense value of pursuing activities simply for the love of it.

Rediscovering my hobby has led to so much more than having fun – it had a profound impact on my life. I feel more energised, my performance as a psychologist and coach has improved, my workshop facilitation is decidedly more theatrical and entertaining (evaluation forms confirm that this is a good thing, thankfully!) and I’ve been kicking goals within my own business.

Best of all – I have found a renewed sense of purpose that permeates all aspects of my life. It has reminded me that life is to be enjoyed, and connected me in with a bunch of wonderful diverse group of people, all uniting over a shared love of music.

So, I urge you to dust off that old guitar, pick up your knitting needles, or join that hiking club you've been eyeing. Reclaim those passions you once cherished and watch as they breathe new life into your world.

Remember, life isn't just about work and responsibilities. It's about finding joy, expressing yourself, and embracing those activities that make your heart sing. ?As the saying goes, "All work and no play makes Jack/Jackie/YOU a dull person." (yes, I’ve paraphrased here). And life is far, far too short and special to be dull.

If you want to reconnect with life, beyond the responsibilities of work and family commitments, take this as your sign to rediscover a hobby. Chances are, you'll be very glad you did.

Have you reconnected with something you used to be passionate about? Do you want to? I'd love to hear your stories of rediscovered hobbies - comment below!

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