To have “childish” hobbies?

[Littleanchor]

I am 32 and I still play the sims occasionally and I love to colour. I have an assortment of different colouring pens and books and find it very relaxing to switch my mind off and do some colouring. Is this really pathetic?

They’re not my only hobbies. I also like to swim and read and go to shows and concerts, and we don’t have children so spend a lot of weekends exploring new places etc. but I almost feel ashamed of playing computer games and colouring in… my friends and colleagues are at home raising children and I’m sat colouring haha. Does anyone else have hobbies or interests that would be perceived as childish?

Absolutely not pathetic. I have kids so can get away with pretending I am helping them with their 'hobbies'. But please don't be ashamed of them, they're part of what makes you 'you'. And if anyone takes the piss it says more about them than it does you. Social services actually brought colouring books and pens round for my mother in law who has Alzheimer's so there must be some advantage for the mind in doing that I reckon. All hobbies add something to your life and enrich it, doesn't matter what it is does it?

I love colouring too, I'm not in to computer games as I don't have the reactions and patience for it and can't be bothered with them. But I like online games like Sudoku and word games. I also absolutely LOVE making friendship bracelets and loom band bracelets. If you like colouring you also might enjoy this sort of thing. I like knitting and crocheting too which might be thought of as old lady hobbies but who cares? My kids also got some pictures you stick tons of tiny gems on, they were really annoyed when I took over doing them. Please carry on enjoying your unique hobbies everyone!

I colour, play on the switch, do Lego
I love it

@Littleanchor I am waiting for the kids to go bed so I can get a new family going in the Sims - treated myself to the new pack 😁 its currently downloading
I also put lights in my lego - and play with it when no one is in the house.
Leeb, Leefuh, Lurve

I started doing digital art in my 50s and am still doing so now at 70. Am not very good but really enjoy it and it's incredibly relaxing. Also enjoy other games, not the Sims as I found that too addictive, but love those world-building type games.

I’m 32 and enjoy playing sims still. My main hobbies are playing and collecting Animal Crossing stuff. Is it childish? Maybe, do I care? Nope! 😊 Life is short, enjoy what you enjoy and never mind what anyone else thinks.

This sums it up perfectly. Keep on enjoying your hobbies, OP!

I collect Lego and I am a fledgling Dungeon Master for Dungeons & Dragons going into year two of a campaign. I've just bought a new XBox to play video games. I'm 42 this year.

If you are doing something that makes you happy and isn't hurting anyone, its never going to be a bad thing. Colouring sounds so relaxing! Enjoy it.

I like colouring, sticker books, jigsaws, and playing Zelda on the Switch? I’m also fond of Lego. I’m 46.

I'm 66 and play The Sims 4 (about to get the new Royalty pack), and Inzoi, and Elder Scrolls Online, I have a huge collection of paints and pens for art and colouring (one of my best Xmas presents was 5 colouring books from DH). I don't have kids - and I'm hoping to never grow up :)

Does it make you happy? If yes, who cares what anyone else thinks. You shouldn’t care and embrace your lovely sounding hobbies with enthusiasm. :-)

I love playing the Sims (Sims 2 that is, the others can get in the bin!) and while I wouldn't do it without a kid with me I really enjoy a good colouring/sticker session. I also collect Playmobil and set up scenes on special occasions, like for Christmas!

I would love to have a hobby like these mentioned above.

I did try after a big surgery, I bought fancy pens and colouring books. Then I remembered that when I was a child I used to fill in the space as quickly and efficiently as I could, wide shading and outside the lines. And so it was totally pointless. DD was dismayed by my approach!

I've tried knitting but didn't have the patience. Tried jigsaws and didn't see the point.

I'll stick to reading and sleeping - sleeping is my absolutely favourite activity!

I think it's amazing that you have a proper hobby and I don't think it's childish at all. Enjoy it!

I play games like animal crossing and some simulation style games (zoos, theme parks etc).
In my 40s and thoroughly enjoy a bit of time to play my games. I rarely play for more than 45 mins at a time but I find it really relaxing and fun.

You're never told to do stuff you love! I like colouring, doodling (like Zentangle, but just do what you like), jigsaws, reading and I'm in a choir. I'm also very calm and chilled out 😁

I also loved The Sims, and @DancingLions do you have a link to the sticker books. They sound right up my street!

I like to drink wine and judge men on TikTok

we all have our vices 🥰

I am (almost) 47 and I love playing Animal Crossing! I used to love The Sims but no longer have a computer. I’m sure I would still play it if I did though.

I fight with my teens to play the Sims. Best game ever

I actually think it’s great that it’s acceptable for adults to play games and such like nowadays. I retired two years ago and seem to have reverted to my childhood!

I play Pokemon Go and then various mobile games. Was never into Pokemon at all, but really enjoy this game!

I love colouring-its very relaxing.
You do you.
Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. They'd probably love to ba able to spend time doing their own thing!

Life is short. Enjoy it.

I’m not a gamer but I know a few - it makes them happy!
I do like a jigsaw puzzle but wish I had a crafty/creative side of me because I’d love a hobby I could sit on the sofa and do. I do an occasional jigsaw at the dining table, need a big flat surface.
My other hobbies are exercise based and take me outside the house whereas I’d also like something I could be warm and comfortable doing 😂

I do painting by numbers and I love it. It's really good for your concentration skills and totally absorbing. I say do whatever you like if you enjoy it and you're not hurting anyone else.

We are about the same age and I also like the Sims and colouring in. I do the former never anymore sadly and the latter usually only if I'm unwell. This is all only because I have 3 young children and round them and work, and domestic work, with very limited wider family support I just do not have time for hobbies. The only thing I cling on to slightly is reading because I can do 10 mins before bed and it does help me sleep.

If I didn't have my children I would 100 per cent be playing Sims and colouring on a regular basis. And a whole host of other things that I don't have time, energy, or money for anymore. So no you definitely aren't being unreasonable.

I play world of Warcraft nearly every evening, i love it it's my little escape as I run around azeroth.

I also paint Warhammer.

I unfortunately can't skateboard anymore really due to disability, but I collect decks.

If it makes you happy go for it.

All of these hobbies are mindful (allow us to become absorbed in the activity, to the exclusion of the mind ruminating on other issues). Therefore, they are excellent for our mental health and provide peace of mind. I used to use colouring books and pens, now I colour, do jigsaws and sorting games on my iPad. I also read a lot, sew (make clothes), lift weights, swim etc, all also mindful.