Hobbies Are Valid

I've tried to write and revise this post multiple times, but something went wrong and I never finished. I don't know if it was the stress of finals and whatnot or if it was the idea of writing a formal series that fazed me (more on that later). Really, I think it comes down to me going off on tangents when I'm unable to focus on writing if I don't write in a single setting and instead revise a lot.

This post was originally meant to be about the stress of being in school (high school more so than college actually) and having so many constant pressures and expectations that there became no conceivable benefit to finishing an assignment early because there is always another one to do. Not long after coming up with idea, I saw the graphic on the right in a snapchat story, so I thought it could be something to discuss in a blog post.

From there, it became a wad of anxiety about how some people seem to be able to take time off and go to concerts and do fun things all the time and still be ok. To me it seems irresponsible, and to some degree it is if other areas are neglected, but everything will probably be ok in the end. Personally, I prefer stability over spontaneity, but I can't help but wonder how it could be to let loose every once in a while.

Then the post evolved into a rant about how interests are universally shamed. By that I mean like how no music genre is really appreciated by anyone outside of the genre. If you listen to pop you're basic, if you listen to indie you're a pretentious hipster, if you listen to EDM you're douchy, if you listen to classical you're boring, if you listen to metal you're weird, so on and so forth. If everything is criticized, might as well shamelessly enjoy what you like.

I tried to bring it back to my original intention of talking about the importance of taking breaks and enjoying hobbies. I enjoy my work and I like getting things done, but that's a surefire way to burn out quickly. When I have a few days of unrelenting productivity, it eventually fizzles out into a state where I can barely even take care of myself enough to eat or shower every day, and that's not somewhere I want to be. I'm inspired by people like Markiplier who are so genuinely happy to do what they do, and I want to be in a place in my life like that, but I also take lessons from Avicii, who recently retired from touring because it became all too much. It just goes to show no matter what dream job there is out there, people aren't meant to be all work and no play.

The bottom line is that everyone deserves to enjoy their life. Yes, it may be irresponsible if you are constantly "playing hard" and neglecting the "working hard," but if you're a workaholic, remember to breathe and take some time off, even if you enjoy your work. And if you have hobbies, it's ok to take time and enjoy them. If it takes you in a direction that you no longer enjoy, then stop. For me, that seems to be applicable in the direction of formal series like these Mental Health Month posts, or Food Fridays. You'll see a few more in the future, but they'll be scheduled. I don't know if I want to go back and revise the titles so they don't include "Food Friday #" in the title or keep them as is. Also, there's no hobby or interest out there that's judgement free. People will always make criticisms, but that shouldn't stop you from doing what you love. ◊