You’ll Never Finish It All—and That’s Okay
Our culture prioritizes productivity and life hacks, allowing us to make every possible minute productive. We work to squeeze results out of every minute.
However, as Oliver Burkeman points out in his book, 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, we are, in fact, finite human beings. No matter how efficient and productive we are, there will always be more things to do than we can.
Instead of stressing out about not being ultra-productive, we need to learn that life is not just about hyper-productivity. It’s okay and healthy not to be productive all the time.
The Magic of a Hobby That’s Just for You
Having a non-work hobby is important. A hobby’s value doesn’t lie in how much you get done and how productive you are, but in the unique ways it enriches your life.
As Austin Kleon observes, “A hobby is something creative that’s just for you. You don’t try to make money or get famous off it, you just do it because it makes you happy” Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative.
Hobbies prioritize enthusiasm, curiosity, and personal fulfillment, not outcomes. Hobbies provide time for curiosity and experimentation and enjoying the process itself, which can be especially important for well-being and even identity.
Push Back Against Productivity Culture
This attitude pushes back against the culture of relentless productivity, making hobbies a vital source of contentment, play, and self.
As Oliver Burkeman says, A truly fulfilling hobby “probably should feel a little embarrassing; that’s a sign you’re doing it for its own sake, rather than for some socially sanctioned outcome” Four Thousand Weeks.
My Embarrassing (and Wonderful) Hobby
One of my hobbies is playing strategic and tactical computer games set in World War II and ancient times. Frankly, it is one of those hobbies that’s “slightly embarrassing” to mention. I sometimes worry about what others would think of me if they were to find out. Why would a 72-year-old adult want to play war games on a computer? Will they think I’m a war-monger?
But that’s the point. Playing these games provides me with an engaging intellectual challenge, takes me away from the concerns of my life, and gives me the all-important alone time to recharge my energy (I’m an introvert).
Also, I learn some things about history. But the learning does not justify it; that’s just a side benefit. What justifies my hobby is that I enjoy it.
Your Life Needs Something Just for Fun
The value of a hobby lies in its ability to bring joy, foster curiosity, and offer fulfillment, independent of external validation or reward. It’s not about productivity. Engaging with a hobby affirms that not everything worthwhile has to be justified by productivity or profit.
Do you have a hobby? If not, I suggest you follow your curiosity and find a hobby that gives you joy. Did you enjoy doing something as a kid that you’d like to revisit? Is there a hobby that you always wanted to explore but never felt you had the time to try it?
You don’t have to jump in and commit to a hobby from the start. Instead, make a pact with yourself to do a Tiny Experiment where you say, “I will do (name hobby) for (duration). At the end of the experiment, take a moment to reflect on your thoughts and feelings. You can extend the experiment if you’re still not sure this is a hobby you want to commit to, or you can jump into it with both feet if you decide it’s a good fit. If you decide it’s not for you, that’s fine too—you’ve gained some valuable knowledge.
If you feel like you have no time for a hobby, that’s a sign you’re likely overworking and need to reduce your commitments. As humans, we’re all finite and can’t possibly complete all the “important” tasks. Since we can’t do everything, we need to decide which tasks to prioritize and which to set aside.
Once you’ve found a hobby that fits you, shamelessly embrace it and don’t feel guilty for your time practicing it!
AI Note: I wrote this blog post myself, using my own words for the initial draft. I used AI only to suggest headlines, section headings, and improvements to the text.
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