AIBU to have no hobbies

[BunTHoven]

Over the years, I’ve noticed a curious pattern across countless threads on here: time and again, the narrative involves the OP - or a close relation, be it a spouse, sibling, or friend - grappling with some issue or entanglement related to a hobby. These pastimes are often alluded to in oblique or cryptic terms, as though their mere mention might unravel anonymity.

AIBU to have no hobbies whatsoever?

I work full-time. I commute. I have two children—one teen and one tween. Even if I did somehow carve out a scrap of time, I genuinely wouldn’t know how to fill it.

Does this make me the odd one out? Or is it that Mumsnet, by some strange gravity, draws to it a disproportionate number of stories where hobbies play a central role?

YABU = having no hobbies is weird AF
YANBU = lots of people don't have a hobby

If you get a chance to relax, what do you do, just stare at the walls? Most people have some sort of recreation that they enjoy. It might just be so integrated into their life that they don’t think of it as a hobby.

I’d say you might feel more fulfilled if you did something you enjoy, surely??

No hobby? None at all? Light reading, the crossword, watching particular shows? It doesn’t need to be mountain biking but it’s quite sad and u healthy to say there is no time for your personal enjoyment and to do the thing you find joy in, whatever that is.

Completely agree, I have no free time and no hobbies (unless you count reading before bedtime). It is very normal for a working parent imho.

If you are happy with no hobbies, then continue. I wouldn't be happy.

I don't think it's vital to have a hobby but it's nice to have one - it gives you an outlet that's not work or home, something that's about what you enjoy. I sing in a choir and I love it. I also go to the gym which isn't really a hobby as such but I love it too (way more that I thought I would).

Are hobbies a class thing? I read something the other day on here that alluded to it, saying something about people with no hobbies who just watch tv.

I’ve had lots of different hobbies over the years. But it is certainly more difficult to maintain at my current middle-age with teenage children, a full-time job with an hour commute each way, and ageing parents who currently need me.

YANBU to not have hobbies, however hobbies can be beneficial for well being. Maybe once the kids get a bit older you could try some different things.

It's probably not as uncommon as you think to have no hobbies. And if you're happy like that then fine. What do you do in your spare time though? I find it hard to believe when people say they don't have a single scrap of time to pursue a hobby. Your house must be immaculate!

Reading probably is your hobby, if you get pleasure from it.

^this.

What do you do when you're not working or being 'mummy'? What is just for you?

Sometimes it's as simple as taking a really nice bath or going for walks or getting nails done or cooking new recipes because you want to try them out. But there should be something in your life that refills your cup and that you just enjoy.

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.

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 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.

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.

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...

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.

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

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

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!!

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!

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.

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 🤣

You mean doomscrolling isn't 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.

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