Everyone has a hobby and I mean everyone. It is practically impossible for someone to not have a hobby. Now, by hobby I am referring to the literal dictionary definition of an activity one does in their own time for pleasure. Now, following this definition, it is clear that a hobby can basically be anything, so can there really be ups and downs to an infinite amount of possibilities? The answer for that is simply yes. Before we get to the negatives, it is important to view the ups of having a hobby. Having a hobby and maintaining it allows for good stress relief and the ability to express oneself in their own way. A basic human desire is essentially to express oneself and a hobby allows for that.
Hobbies are also a great way to go out and find people with a similar interest and form a sort of community with those who are near you. A hobby that I am very proud of that I share with some of my friends is playing trading card games. We have formed a small community by ourselves and even go to events as a team on occasion, but we are also a part of a larger community. As a community, we all try to contribute to the overall growth of the community and the betterment of those in the community. At times, it can be as inviting as a really large family. Now, while on the subject of communities, I guess it is important to begin looking at the downsides of a hobby.
Communities are a rather large part of any hobby and essentially make a hobby more enjoyable, but it is also true that the community can also be toxic. Since I relate most to the hobby of TCG's, I will use that as my example of what a toxic community. When a community becomes toxic, essentially the members become bitter and are only interested in results and their own self-promotions rather than the fun of a hobby and the overall bettering of the community.
Another example would be a general disapproval of one specific member of the community. These people are generally categorized as the fanatics of the community and are completely absorbed in that hobby. Moving into a more recognized hobby, you can take the music community for example with one. Most musicians find it acceptable to practice everyday for an hour or two and discuss music to an extent, but a fanatic in this case would be someone who practices nonstop and seems to only ever want to talk about music.
Another downside to hobbies is ultimately the views of others around you. Most people want to be accepted by their peers and as a result, hide some crucial facts about themselves. This could be from shame, embarrassment, or simply fear that their peers might view them in such a critical way that they will become an outcast. This can be a really stressful feeling, but that should never get in the way of one's fun.
Remember, a hobby is meant to be fun for the person involved and as a result, they should never worry about how other's view them. The most important thing about a hobby is to have fun. If you aren't having fun, then what is the point of continuing?
