Hobbies and Not-Hobbies

I’ve got way too many. Hobbies, that is. Here are a few:

Bird-watching.

Walking.

Reading.

Journaling.

Junk journaling. (Different from the previous hobby!)

Knitting.

Attempting to grow plants.

Drawing.

Making collages.

Baking (especially on Sundays.)

Playing with stickers and washi tape.

Shopping at the $ Tree.

Music, and playing instruments.

I’d say writing, but I feel like that is more than a hobby.

But when would you say you make that leap from “I love to write” to “I am a writer?”

Is it when we decide that it is so?

Is it when we get a paycheck from our writing?

I had that happen once, years ago, when I wrote an article about cooking for a small publication. I was so excited. 😛

And then I got busy with kids again, and started down another path. I kept writing, but I wasn’t putting things out for (hopeful) publication.

I think that we are writers when we decide that we are writers. It’s more than a hobby. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything to anyone else, and that’s okay. For me though, when I decide that I am a writer, that means I give my energy to it. I make regular time for it. I make it a priority. I go to writing conventions, and join writing organizations.

How about you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. I hope you have a restful Saturday. I’ll be heading out to run some errands, and going to the movies to see The Odyssey with my son this afternoon. I’m looking forward to it.

Thank you for reading! And if you like what I write, please subscribe. Thanks 🙂


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4 responses to “Hobbies and Not-Hobbies”

  1. Jonathan Vernon Avatar

    A myriad of hobbies! I like it. I once wished I lived in a converted windmill with a hexagonal room as my study/workshop (round doesn’t work so well for this). Against each wall I’d have a desk or workbench for a different activity: drawing, photography, relief prints, video production, cooking, music (guitar/flute), writing, library/reading, greenhouse, aquarium, gym, swimming pool, ancient woodland, mountain river, Alpine glacier, bed. Maybe I need a island of my own? Off the British Columbian Coast? In the Baltic sea? Tasmania? Japan?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Cristin Avatar
      Cristin

      I love the idea of a converted windmill just for hobbies! And yes, a hobby island sounds perfect for this. 🙂 I think you’re on to something. Thanks for commenting, Jonathan.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Melissa Avatar

    Hobby is something that we collect during our time. I laughed when I read your ever-growing list of hobbies because mine would probably look similar.

    I do agree with your sentiment that we are writers when we make time for it. I do consider myself a writer and that hobby had been forgotten for many years but recently I found myself here… again, happily.

    Thanks for your words!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Cristin Avatar
      Cristin

      Thank you for the comment, Melissa! I think that’s wonderful that you’ve found your way back to writing again!

      Like

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