Hobby Overload?

Orchid

Sometimes I find myself with so many interests, hobbies and projects in the works that I can hardly decide which to focus on first. It’s fun to have multiple interests and things I can go to at any time to fill my creative need. And that need is loud and ravenous! Creativity is part of my blood.

But can you have too many hobbies? Is it better to have one or two main ones that you put your focus on and therefore gain the most satisfaction? For instance, one of my hobbies is growing and learning about orchids. I have many plants, and several great books that go into considerable depth on the subjects of growing, propagating, breeding hybrids, PH balance of water, light spectrum, etc. and I could completely immerse myself in all that if I devoted the time. But I haven’t read the books cover to cover, and I don’t attend every orchid show in the area, and I haven’t joined the American Orchid Society (yes, that exists). There are just so many other things that call to me as well! But if I threw myself into that hobby, would it result in more personal satisfaction because I would essentially become a subject matter expert in that area?

Dancing Lady orchid

How do you treat your hobbies? Do you prefer to focus your interests like a laser, or do whatever is calling to you that hour, day or week?

4 replies added

  1. Richard January 11, 2016 Reply

    I too have many hobbies, I think that the number doesn’t matter, if it makes you happy to try something new or continue to learn and improve on an old skill, if it gives you satisfaction within, I think that all people being different, in that some are happy with one hobby, while others will always be interested in something new and different. I believe there is no expert at any level, Expert I think means you know every thing about the subject and have the skills and tools to perform. An honest skilled craftsman ( any craft or hobby ) will tell you that not a day goes by without learning something .Hobbies are fun things to make you happy,so if it’s one or a dozen, only you can answer the question. I happen to have many, with a long list of new ones. Will I live long enough to try all of them? No, but i will be happy ( just an old man’s thoughts) luv ya me

    • Katie Matthews January 12, 2016 Reply

      Thanks for the comments Richard! Good point about being an expert. We are ALWAYS learning.

  2. aveena January 11, 2016 Reply

    There’s no way one can have too many hobbies! Though, I have always been a “jack of all trade” type of person. I usually alternate between my hobbies, sometimes I won’t cross-stitch for years and then I pick it up again and it’s all I focus on. Each time I focus on a hobby I learn something new and I never get bored with it.

    I do think there’s a difference between having a lot of hobbies vs. someone who tries out a lot of stuff without ever delving into it very much. In that case it’s almost like a lack of commitment or getting bored without ever truly learning the craft.

    Either way, like the other guy said, do what makes ya happy!

    • Katie Matthews January 12, 2016 Reply

      Glad you think so Jen 🙂 I want to keep maintaining many hobbies and exploring what brings me joy.

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