Do you have 'passions' or hobbies? Or just things you like doing?

[HoldingOntoMySanity]

Recently I have been asked IRL what my hobbies are. There is a context of sorts (meeting an old friend I'd not seen and she talked about her passions - her job which is a vocation - and netball and i commented i don't have anything I like that much.... certainly not my job). She seemed surprised in a negative and disapproving way so it got me wondering.

I don't have anything I love hugely. I spend my free time on my family. I have a disabled teen and he takes up alot of my mental energy. I did Russian at university 30 years ago and enjoy watching netflix shows and always put on Russian subtitles. (That was my New Year resolution in fact and it has really helped). I like to travel. I belong to a book club but enjoy the lunch bit more than the book bit. I drink way too much wine than is good for me- usually alone reading a magazine. My disabled DS is a huge Marvel film fan and I am enjoying watching films with him. I like cooking and like watching youtube videos about cooking. I MN almost constantly as that is my main source of social interaction. But that's about it.

I feel like i am fairly normal. But i have nothing I can point to and say 'that's my hobby'.

I just felt I was being judged about not having a life filled with a job and hobbies that I was 'serious' about, if that makes sense. I do sometimes think I ought to take something up seriously. But I can't think of anything that feels like a contender!

I'd be curious about what other posters might like; love; be otherwise intense about.

Ok so your interests are the Russian language, travelling, books, fine wines, marvel films and cooking! Sounds good to me!

I sing in a choir which I would say was my passion. I also like doing jigsaws, cooking, baking, any movies/tv shows or books that are fantasy related especially superheroes and stuff like Game of Thrones. I was teaching myself chess but kinda plateaud with that cos it’s sooo hard! I do a bit of very light gardening and especially enjoy growing my own herbs.

Oh, gaming for me too! Although for me it’s mainly Zelda games which I would say I have a passion for. 46 years old and I play with a switch! Also partial to a bit of mario.

She seemed surprised in a negative and disapproving way stuff that attitude!

Im a Scout Leader and so do a bunch of volunteering with that.

Im a season ticket holder at my local footballing and go to all their home games

I go to the gym 3/4 times per week.

Im a trustee on 2 charity boards.

I don’t really do passions, I don’t entirely trust them tbh. I prefer to aim for contentment, calm, peace - when I feel these things life is going along well.

I work 42 hours per week, and have kids / busy family life not a lot of time for hobbies. I’ve come to the conclusion that what really matters to me is people. I’m a total extrovert - not a party animal at all, but definitely someone whose batteries get recharged in company. So I spend time with people - with friends, colleagues, DH and my boys. I’m the one who gets on what’s app and organises a get together. I’m the one who organises all our work night outs, and stays to the end. DH and I live outside the UK and we are currently spending a month of holiday time with my parents 😱 so we can reconnect, help them in the house / garden, give them time with their grandchildren, etc. People, that’s what it’s all about for me. I’ve listened to endless garden talk 😵‍💫 over the last three weeks: I don’t give a shit about gardening - but the people I love really do 😂. So I listen and join in.

I love going to see live comedy. Comedy clubs are good but I just love going to see touring comedians in small venues.

TV comedians are all well and good in the large theatres, but I much prefer someone still gigging in the clubs but also touring 100 seater rooms. Not as expensive as you’d think either.

Edinburgh Fringe is on at the moment and I’m going up for the 10th time next week and I can’t wait!

I’m that person who, if asked, will bore you about my favourite comedian you’ve never heard of but I’ve been seeing their shows for years.

Try Crimson Desert - obsessively time consuming !

Gaming - started on a bbc micro computer in the 1980s, then the Myst series in the early 1990s. Now that I have a little more time after semi retiring I’ve run through all the Assassins Creeds, God of War, and Elden Ring. Now Crimson Deserting…
However I also love playing the piano, live music and gardening.

OP, you sound pretty awesome to me. I’ve been meaning to start learning a second language for years so kudos to you for keeping up with the Russian!

I love my piano. I’m not good but play every day and hope I’m getting better

I am impressed OP, although it is lolmumsnet to worry about not having enough interests while reading Bulgakov in Russian

I have things I like doing but no passions. The same way I never had any burning ambition career-wise, I found something I liked doing and 30-odd years later, I retired. I no longer even get excited about travelling to exotic places - you see so much more on the TV with drone action. I'm mid 70s, radical mastectomy 4 years ago and could blame my lack of enthusiasm on that but it wouldn't be true! I'm not even bothered about being lopsided. I do admire people who have a purpose in life (be it an absorbing hobby or career) but I'm real middle-of-the-road. Yawn 🥱.

I think you have a passion for Russian literature and language which sounds very impressive to me!

I’m with you. I love running/ fitness. Not a hobby as such. I like reading about biology and am studying it for interest, keeping up my Spanish. I can’t say I have a hobby as such.

Sewing. Changing cheap buttons on clothes to nice ones. Anything haberdashery.
Crafts generally - I get quite excited when I’m inspired to make something I’ve seen somebody else do.
Most recently, a display cabinet which had been wallpapered inside. I have one which was about to be given away but now I’ve got plans!

Gardening, reading, hiking, going to the gym and walking. I have recently started sketching and learning to paint in watercolour, with varied results!

The Russian language. Now that’s rare and impressive!

I prefer the word pastime. I think of a hobby as all-consuming - time and focus - but a pastime is what you do when you're not working/looking after kids etc.

I hate the H word. To me it sounds so nerdy.

I do a lot of knitting for a particular charity. I find it very satisfying.

I have hobbies that don't take a huge amount of time.
I like collecting vinyl and music memorabilia for a few bands and going to gigs.
I enjoy gardening and I do a few paranormal investigations a year.
I have cats and enjoy chilling with them and like visiting historical sites; castles, cathedrals, abbeys etc.

Gardening, my horses, swimming … bit of sewing /painting / craft … can’t wait to retire …

I’d say I don’t have any hobbies too. I enjoy the gym and Pilates classes which I attend without fail every week but is it a hobby? Probably not
Every Sunday we go to our local car boot , but again wouldn’t call it my hobby ?

Playing the violin - started 55 years ago! Play in orchestras and small groups and absolutely love it. It's physically and mentally challenging and you never stop learning, also very sociable and creative. I totally recommend learning a musical instrument.

I’m a parkrun Run Director - being part of the core team and that world is just my favourite thing. It’s where most of my friends have been found, and new ones come along sometimes too. I’m not as fast as I was pre-covid but I do the odd 10km and my ideal Sunday is going to watch a marathon.

Also a history bore…I find social and royal history endlessly fascinating. Definitely sparked by the Horrible History books! Love a palace or a National Trust house.

Fringe comedy in small venues. Sometimes a TV comic if it’s a theatre but never, ever anyone who plays arenas.
I enjoy keeping my finger on the pulse of Edinburgh Fringe, have a spreadsheet of shows I buy tickets for and balance who I choose to see when I go up with who will tour nearer me later in the year.

Also love finding the history of theatre and music hall. Love an historic venue.

If a show has a e-ticket I make myself a real one in Canva for my ticket box. I also have a full (about 50 people) autograph book from stage doors, but stopped when it got full.

Not a hobby but I just enjoy being curious about things that interest me, I’m always looking random stuff up on wiki etc and reading round things I come across. I love going down a wormhole.

Crafting and making things, and so good for your mental health and well-being