Hobbies and their changing facets

What are hobbies and what are its origin? 

A hobby is simply something you do for fun. It is something you enjoy doing in your free time that promotes relaxation and social interaction. One hypothesis holds that the French noun 'aubin', which was formerly spelled 'hobin', 'obin', etc. but is now 'aubin', is whence the noun hobby got its original meaning of a little horse or pony. Theoretically, this word derives from the French verb 'hober', which means to move. Because the word was likened to riding a toy horse, the term "hobby horse" later came to refer to a favourite activity or subject that is pursued solely for the entertainment it provides. Hobbies can be interpreted in various ways and can mean something different to each person. It is often used interchangeably with the word "interests" to describe feelings or a desire to learn more about more subjects or things.

Hobbies in the olden days

Among the pastimes from 100 years ago were baking and cooking, stitching and mending, writing letters and handwriting, and sewing, which people were interested in. Some even engaged in gardening and canning their produce. The hobby of collecting was the most popular in the past. Board games were also hugely popular in the past. Many kids, and even teenagers, played those kinds of games throughout the holidays. Lastly, some of the most common pastimes included reading, swimming, cycling, and jogging.

            Even some 50 to 20 years ago, some of the most popular hobbies for people included running, sewing, solving jigsaw puzzles, painting, playing board games, and reading. In western countries, some of them enjoyed going to drive in theatres. The children often made up games of their own, learned yo-yo tricks, or played tag, hide and seek, or marbles. While the women liked reading, painting, sewing, knitting, or gardening, the men were most interested in fishing, hunting, and camping. 

Do we need hobbies today?

The answer to your question is yes. According to studies, people who engage in hobbies are less likely to experience stress, depressive symptoms, and negative moods. You may feel happier and more at ease after engaging in activities that get you moving around. Interpersonal relationships and communication skills are also improved through group activities. 

            Not just that, having healthy hobbies can boost your confidence and self-esteem with a dynamic personality. Also, having hobbies can aid you in the development of new skills. In addition to enhancing your life, hobbies help you see things from different perspectives. You will undoubtedly be exposed to novel ideas, regardless of the hobby you choose. Your interests can help you grow in a variety of ways, such as by exposing you to unique perspectives on life.

Is there a generational gap? 

Even though it may seem as though people's interests are changing over time, if we look at it from a different perspective, we may say that the traditional pastimes are merely evolving. For instance, reading has given way to watching, and knitting has become yarn-bombing. Over generations, the shift in hobbies is mainly due to changes in lifestyle and technological improvements. With each new generation, these advancements give people more options from which to choose and avenues to pursue. Yet, some interests, like reading, swimming, and jogging, are unaffected by factors like age, trend, or fashion. No matter what, people still like to spend time engaging in activities from the past, like running and swimming. Additionally, despite the generational gaps, each generation has its things and is not required to pass those on to the succeeding generation. What matters most is that people enjoy the pursuits they are passionate about; as long as they harm no one, there seems to be no problem.