AIBU to have no hobbies

There is always time to fit something in. I know it can seem like there isn't with kids, work and running them around to clubs but you can always squeeze an hour in for yourself. My 'hobby' isn't very exciting, I run 3/ 4 times a week but it's important for me to get out the house and have alone time. No one needs a hobby and I know plenty of people that don't do anything when they get home from work so it's definitely not unusual. I think there is a reason why most parents take thier kids to clubs, gain new friends, get exercise, have some fun, learn to win and lose, life skills. I think as adults we probably could benefit in exactly the same way but maybe don't value it in the same way we do with our kids. I don't think it's a class thing either, there are plenty of hobbies that don't cost much money or are free.

I guess it depends on what you're watching, though. Love Island is not going to stretch your brain 😂 and neither is Tik Tok 👹but even a non-celebrity cookery show, some light entertainment (e.g. Repair Shop, Long Lost Family) or a proper drama (like the recent one about Lockerbie) might make you think more.

I work in a job where I meeting folk of all ages, and it genuinely shocks me how few of them have 'proper' hobbies/interests outside the world of social media, TV etc. It's not about money, either - my folks were working class, and always 'doing' something, DIY, cookery clubs etc. I wonder if folks do have them, but don't admit to it?

Good point I'd consider a hobby something you proactively do. Where is be trunking, knitting or whatever

Passively sitting in from of a TV isn't a hobby

You sound busy op. I think the danger at my mams age no hobbies outlets etc your week is endless. She 80s. Im trying do few things now as my kids have own lives. I appreciate with young kids your week is busy.

YANBU. I had no real hobbies when I was working as I just didn't have the time or energy for them.

Wouldn't worry about it - my hobbies include bathing alone with no children! A rare treat! tv and eating ! Dont have to do something you don't want to do

@DaisyChain505 presumably you pick specific programmes you like to watch and aren't just blankly staring at the screen?
People say going to the cinema/theatre is a hobby. So TV is too.
@BoredZelda why are games on your iPad not a hobby?

OP, research shows that having hobbies may be linked to lower incidence of dementia in later life (except if it's caused by a stroke)

"Hobby engagement in both mid-life and late life was associated with a lower risk of disabling dementia without a history of stroke"

All the more reason to find something to occupy you! I know it's difficult, I used to work >50 hours p.w., but it can be done.

Reliable source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10409527/

Taking a bath is not a hobby 😆

Mumsnet is your hobby.

I agree. Watching TV isn’t a hobby. I play crappy games on my iPad. That’s not a hobby.

I wouldn’t consider having a bath or getting my nails done as a hobby but reading, podcasts and going for walks are definitely hobbies in my view.

The dictionary definition of a hobby is “an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure” so reading and listening to podcasts (and watching TV) do count.

You mean doomscrolling isn't a hobby?😱

Ok if you want to call binge watching tv series, eating yummy snacks and staying in my pjs every moment I’m in the house a hobbie ill take it 🤣

It's interesting from this thread that what some people consider a hobby others don't.
Reading, watching TV, crosswords etc...
to me they are hobbies.

No hobbies, I sometimes think I’m weird. I have tried things like yoga, running, knitting and chess over the years but never stuck at them. I enjoy reading and doing crosswords, going for a walk or a bike ride but don’t really consider these hobbies in the same way!

Yes I guess there are things that could be classed as an obvious hobby and others that are more just things that you I like doing. It’s an interesting one. Maybe it officially a ‘hobby/ interest’ if you would put it on a CV? 😂.
like I wouldn’t put ‘watching TV’ or scrolling through MN on a CV but I probably would put spin classes (I do 3 a week so is that a hobby?!!) Making bread and errrm what else on there. I actually don’t know myself!!

Nah I don’t think you’re the odd one out, commuting to work, working full time and two kids! It’s hard to fit anything else in

@DaisyChain505 but what do you do to "relax and decompress"?
Surely whatever that is - that's your hobby.

Personally I see a hobby as something involving some kind of skill or at least activity. I wouldn’t class reading, listening to podcasts, getting your nails done, going for a walk or having a bath as hobbies personally (coincidentally these are what I do when I have time to myself). A hobby to me is knitting or lacrosse or something like that.

You are probably like most folk 👍

Though if you do manage to carve out a bit of time it would be good to have a 3rd place to chill/enjoy even if not a hobby to start with, something might come about. But at least being somewhere else that's not ... 1 Home, 2 Workplace... could create those opportunities...

It depends what you mean by a hobby. Some people would call reading, walking or watching films a hobby. At the other end of the scale, some only seem to consider something a hobby if it requires equipment and hours and hours per week to do it.

I work full time, commute and have teenage dc. I have several craft hobbies and also am about to rejoin a choir.

I don’t have a hobby @BunTHoven

I have plenty of time for one so that’s not my excuse. I just don’t have anything in THAT passionate about.

I value the ability to be able to relax and decompress so that’s what I like to do with my spare time.

My grandmothers hobby is keeping up with two particular soap operas. She could go on mastermind, she’s such an expert.

I think people do things without calling it a hobby sometimes. Equally fine to not have one, but doing suduko in the paper once a week counts.

I guess it’s something enjoyable you do routinely that isn’t work? Taking a long hot bath with a glass of wine could be a hobby!

I wish I had a proper hobby. I do relax by reading, watching TV, going on my phone and a weekly Pilates class, but when I have down time I'd often like to do something 'more'. There are things I enjoy e.g. swimming, going to the beach that are hard to achieve in my available time or when I have children at home. I do enjoy crafty things but nothing that I consistently want to do.