I agree with you that the obsessing isn't inherently the problem. I think I just have a separate problem with wanting to "win" things.
And, I do agree that the pressure to make money off of what you spend your time on is frustrating. I think that's largely due to people's frustrations with what a traditional "job" has become. Everyone wants to be free from the shackles of long hours and being underappreciated. Being your own boss is enticing because who can appreciate you more than yourself?
I feel like I tend to do more of a rotational hobby obsession. Puzzle obsession - work out overload - maybe some baking for a month or two - now do a monthly yoga challenge - follow up with some books and a house plant obsession. All to cycle back through again and the poor plants never make it to the next year. RIP those plants and my wallet.
What I don’t like is the pressure to make every hobby an income-generating venture to be considered ‘productive’. But I think just the obsessing about something—the countless hours spent that inevitably turn into a mastery of some sort—already makes it valuable. Just think of the beginner mindset we all embrace when starting something new, naturally sucking at it the first time. 😆 I mean, as long as the hours don’t get in the way of other more meaningful things in life, if you know what I mean. :)
I go through cycles too, but maybe not quite the same as yours. I tend to dive deep into things without worrying too much about doing them “optimally.” It’s almosf always for the sake of enjoyment and relaxation. The burnout for me comes more from external pressure to make hobbies “count” somehow, rather than from trying to min/max them.
I’m not sure what my point is.
I guess I’m here to take the side of Stephen, the hobbyholic. Haha
I remember this time I started a new hobby. It was book binding which is not cheap by any means. I researched for hours and after I went out bought all the supplies and materials then rebound exactly one book which was a failure then never tried it again haha. I also did this with mosaic tiles. Yay! My craft box is growing bigger every year. I need to also break the cycle.
I agree with you that the obsessing isn't inherently the problem. I think I just have a separate problem with wanting to "win" things.
And, I do agree that the pressure to make money off of what you spend your time on is frustrating. I think that's largely due to people's frustrations with what a traditional "job" has become. Everyone wants to be free from the shackles of long hours and being underappreciated. Being your own boss is enticing because who can appreciate you more than yourself?
Thanks for sharing!
I feel like I tend to do more of a rotational hobby obsession. Puzzle obsession - work out overload - maybe some baking for a month or two - now do a monthly yoga challenge - follow up with some books and a house plant obsession. All to cycle back through again and the poor plants never make it to the next year. RIP those plants and my wallet.
What I don’t like is the pressure to make every hobby an income-generating venture to be considered ‘productive’. But I think just the obsessing about something—the countless hours spent that inevitably turn into a mastery of some sort—already makes it valuable. Just think of the beginner mindset we all embrace when starting something new, naturally sucking at it the first time. 😆 I mean, as long as the hours don’t get in the way of other more meaningful things in life, if you know what I mean. :)
I go through cycles too, but maybe not quite the same as yours. I tend to dive deep into things without worrying too much about doing them “optimally.” It’s almosf always for the sake of enjoyment and relaxation. The burnout for me comes more from external pressure to make hobbies “count” somehow, rather than from trying to min/max them.
I’m not sure what my point is.
I guess I’m here to take the side of Stephen, the hobbyholic. Haha
I remember this time I started a new hobby. It was book binding which is not cheap by any means. I researched for hours and after I went out bought all the supplies and materials then rebound exactly one book which was a failure then never tried it again haha. I also did this with mosaic tiles. Yay! My craft box is growing bigger every year. I need to also break the cycle.
Have you considered combining those activities and binding a book of mosaics with a mosaic cover?
Now this is something I’d subscribe to!
Now that you mention it, I do think this is where I went wrong! Off to the craft box.