If you have a hobby or two, does it help you in some ways?

@MarieCoyle (64088)
October 3, 2026 4:13pm CST
Many people seem to have a hobby. I have several that I enjoy, although I have to admit that I don’t have the time to spend on mine that I used to, although I still cook daily. Cooking somehow soothes my soul. I love to read books. Real books, not online or on a device. I love to see, and have made many things over the years. I have made things crocheted and knitted. I also like to garden. There are of course other activities I enjoy- being outside in nice weather, seeing friends and family, and I love animals of all sorts and sizes. I don’t make or do anything extraordinary with my hobbies, I just enjoy them. I used to enjoy volunteering and I did animal rescue for years, but I can’t manage that anymore. Do you have a hobby or two? I’m always looking for a new idea or two to make or do things with everyday objects. Weird, but fun and challenging.
16 people like this
18 responses
@rakski (162564)
• Philippines
4 Oct
I like cooking and baking. I like reading before going to bed, real books or online books. Helps take away my worries for the day. I once did cross stitching, I'm not sure I can do it now
5 people like this
@rakski (162564)
• Philippines
4 Oct
@MarieCoyle The younger ones doesn't even know how to stitch a simple one.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
@rakski Some people can’t even see on a button! It’s ridiculous.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
I love cross stitching and embroidery too. It’s rather out of fashion with today’s young people, but I have always loved seeing it get done and how it looks.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (389406)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Oct
Your hobbies are much the same as mine but I’ll pass on the cooking. Vince loves to cook and really enjoys it.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (389406)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Oct
@MarieCoyle When it is such a big part of your life, it's really good that you enjoy it. I cooked for many years until Vince decided to make a sauce and it just went on from there. The hardest part for him was getting everything ready at once.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
It’s good that he enjoys it so much, especially since you don’t like to. One set of my grandparents owned a small cafe and Grandma cooked everything that was served there. I have been in the kitchen my entire life if I wasn’t working or chasing kids. I still enjoy it.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
@JudyEv Honestly, some people really struggle with getting it all done at the same time. I manage that fine. I am not overly fond of the clean up involved in the kitchen but I always dive in and get it done.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (81726)
• Philippines
4 Oct
About 5 years ago, I went into depression and what really got me out of it was crocheting. I crocheted every single day the whole day. From the time I wake up till bedtime. Then it became a business and demand was too high. I would crochet even more. I would crochet the whole day till 10pm. My staff would send me the inventory by 11pm, so I'd wake up at midnight and start crocheting to fill the missing items.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
I think I remember you posting little creatures and people you had crocheted? They were adorable! But I can see the demand would have been a lot of pressure and stress for anyone.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (81726)
• Philippines
5 Oct
@MarieCoyle Yes, it was too much but I was enjoying it at all. I got excited each and every single time a design would sell out. I would usually make 10-20 pieces of each design.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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5 Oct
@toniganzon I remember how cute they were! Yes, it would get sort of tiring to keep making the same thing 10-20 times!
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (504298)
• Italy
4 Oct
I also love to read books. I never wanted a Kindle, but I bought one for my husband the past Christmas, now I am using it and I can say that I like a lot more than I thought. I like crocheting, cooking, walking with friends.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (504298)
• Italy
4 Oct
@MarieCoyle - Reading is surely my number one hobby. I learned to crochet when I was only a little girl, the nuns taught us at the Catholic school. I crochet some small projects time by time.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
A person can benefit so much from books, plus there are wonderful books out there to enjoy. Reading is my number one hobby. I knew you like to cook and go on walks. Somehow I didn’t know you crocheted, Anna.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (141245)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Oct
Mine are similar to yours.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (141245)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Oct
@MarieCoyle I was very happy when this one started up as auctions are moving more and more to online. That isn't as much fun
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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3 Oct
I wish I had the time and space to have the animals that you have there. I really miss that. Plus, you get to go to auctions and get things for bargains, which is something I have always loved to do!
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (141245)
• Marion, Ohio
5 Oct
@MarieCoyle I agree. Especially when they say all for one money
1 person likes this
@nawala123 (24154)
• Indonesia
3 Oct
My outdoor hobby more related to my stress release, body health and spending time with friends. I like reading and be active in social media like Quora. That is to sharp and share my knowledge
4 people like this
@nawala123 (24154)
• Indonesia
3 Oct
@MarieCoyle mostly reading only because iy is more practical
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
@nawala123 I have always loved to read, since I was a small child. It adds so much to our knowledge and our lives.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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3 Oct
I love spending time with friends and family. Right now, that's not always possible for me to do. I am glad you like to read, I think books add a lot to life.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (130897)
• United States
3 Oct
I was really getting into some painting activities through the place where I get free things to review. It was fun! But then Dumb and Dumber got ahold of everything. I was also enjoying my 3D puzzles, but they were thrown out too. Maybe for Christmas, I’ll get some of those things I was enjoying. In the meantime, I love reading, and they did not throw out my books. In addition to that, I get such joy from watching sports, especially with my dad, or even my BIL on occasion. That’s not an active hobby, but I’ll take anything that brings me joy right now. From everything you have told me in the past, your hobbies did a lot of tremendous good. I know you could write a book about your experiences, but of course, you’d never have the time. Even if you did have the time, you’d rather spend it actually volunteering, I know it. You and my stepmom would have such fun comparing gardening notes. She absolutely loves it, and is the best gardener I know besides my Aunt Melba.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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3 Oct
I would really, really love to have a word or two with Dumb and Dumber...it wouldn't be pretty. I know it's too late to fix that mess...I just hate it that they did what they did to you. I hope you do get some of those things for Christmas. I know you love your sports, it's not my thing but we are all different. I'm just glad you get a lot of joy out of it. Your stepmom sounds like an excellent gardener. This year was so impossible with a garden here. I am already looking forward to next year's garden being better, I hope the weather cooperates! Maybe I will surprise you some day with that book idea. Ya never know. But yes, I enjoy volunteering.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (194736)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Oct
Mine is doing research for the posts I publish on here. I love animals, old movies and studying Egyptology and Victorian era history. I'm on YouTube a lot doing just that. And, I am a foodie and always reading about new recipes and foods.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (194736)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Oct
@MarieCoyle ........and my daughter and grandson keep me entertained as well.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
That’s a lot, it’s good that you have so many interests!
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (101360)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Oct
When I am not working on the PC I love watching YouTube and my DVDs and videos and then reading in bed before I got to sleep. I used to needlepoint and paint by numbers, but now I just pound on the keyboard. I have a cabinet full of adult coloring books. I might try to fit them in my schedule one of these days,
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
I find that working on something like sewing or whatever is very therapeutic for me. I enjoy being online but don't want to do that all the time.
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (14451)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct
I have hobbies and things that I enjoy ….. I knit X stitch Cook Gardening ….growing veggies and herbs Spend time at my caravan at the seaside Walking Read Watch thrillers Watch quiz shows
3 people like this
@Traceyjayne (14451)
• United Kingdom
4 Oct
@MarieCoyle we have wheel of fortune here ….. Yes, it’s easy to get overloaded by these programmes.i can’t watch scary things late at night when I’m on my own ….
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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5 Oct
@Traceyjayne There's already enough violence and trauma out there, I don't want to watch murder shows or scary ones, either. I just can't deal with them anymore. I am not a ''scaredy cat'' but it's just not my thing.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
That’s a great list! I know that I would enjoy seaside time a lot, I’m glad you have that. I’m weird about television. I no longer watch thrillers and I really don’t like quiz shows. I find my own life has had its share of scary moments so the thrillers are not for me. I remember caring for the grandparents and they never wanted to miss Let’s Make a Deal or Wheel of Fortune. I watched so many of those shows with them I think I just got burned out. But I did used to really enjoy them.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28738)
• Singapore
4 Oct
I am retired and a senior citizen for years. I like reading and spending time with children enjoying their innocence. I like to meet like minded people who enjoy their lives and share their experiences that stand out. I do travel still and enjoy the moments.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28738)
• Singapore
5 Oct
@MarieCoyle Thank you Marie. I have followed a motto - whatever I do should benefit others more. So every experience is cherished.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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6 Oct
@Shiva49 What a wonderful and very special motto to live by!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
@Shiva49 What a nice description of what you enjoy, and it honestly sounds as if you are enjoying life to the fullest.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (107272)
• Los Angeles, California
3 Oct
I have always had hobbies. Without them, I am nothing really.
3 people like this
@JohnRoberts (107272)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Oct
@MarieCoyle Reading, travel, movies, collecting whatever takes my fancy.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
What hobbies do you enjoy, John?
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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5 Oct
@JohnRoberts That sounds like an excellent list. Reading would definitely be number one on my list.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (80073)
• Germany
4 Oct
Although I cook almost every day, it is still not my hobby. Baking is my hobby and I earn money when I have orders. Besides baking, my hobbies are reading books, writing, crocheting, sewing, knitting, walking and dancing. Learning some languages has become my hobbies, too.
2 people like this
@thelme55 (80073)
• Germany
5 Oct
@MarieCoyle Yes, indeed. That’s right. I am fond of watching Chinese and Korean drama series and I am learning a bit.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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6 Oct
@thelme55 That would work to help learn new languages. And it’s good that you are enjoying it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
You have a great list there. Learning extra languages is a good idea too.
2 people like this
@Wrexxo (9401)
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3 Oct
Cooking daily sounds really nice, I get what you mean about it soothing the soul. I'm the same with real books, nothing beats flipping actual pages. My hobby is music, I like sharing songs I find with other people and hearing what they think.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
I love music, too. I like to listen to songs and figure out what message the writer is trying to convey to us, and of course we all have songs we like more than others. I have to agree with you that there is a lot of satisfaction in flipping the pages of a real, actual book.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (213549)
• United States
3 Oct
I like traveling, cooking and baking, movies, being outside in nature, reading and paint by number .swimming and boating also.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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4 Oct
That's a good list, I do a lot of those things under normal circumstances. I do have to admit I truly miss my Florida trips...my daughter would call and say it' time for a visit, I'm ready to book you a ticket, and I would go for a long visit. But now is not the time...'nuff said.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (149816)
• Roseburg, Oregon
5 Oct
I like to draw but I am not that good at it. I make cards for the grandchildren for every holiday.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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5 Oct
I used to make a lot of cards, haven't done that in years now. I enjoyed it at the time.
2 people like this
• United States
7 Oct
I find time to crochet and read. Both give me peace of mind and I look forward to that time of day that I earmark for my hobbies, I'm always happy to escape into a good book and have a "to read' pile that is pretty big. Back in the good old days I used to do embroidery, actual sewing where I made clothes for myself and my daughters, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Now my eyes aren't good enough to do such close up work.
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Oct
@MarieCoyle I do miss sewing but my eyes aren't good enough to do that anymore. I can do the little odd jobs of a simple mend or replacing a button but not anything more involved. My plan for the cold winter months is to organize my time better and earmark a time of day to read.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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9 Oct
I made clothing for my children,too. I love to sew. I hope you can make a dent in your stack of books this winter, Marilyn.
1 person likes this
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5 Oct
I have a hobby of singing
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64088)
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6 Oct
Singing is a wonderful hobby!