When I was a kid, I tried all kinds of hobbies. One day it was video editing, and the next, I was learning guitar. But as I grew up, things changed. After finishing university, I became fixated on turning everything I did into an investment. Time, energy, effort—everything had to yield a return. It felt like the right and wise thing to build a career, save money, and figure life out in my 20s.
I started working out. I’ll admit it, vanity played a part. If those workouts didn’t give me abs, I’d probably just stay on the couch. Shallow? Maybe. But at least I know what drives me.
Mid-last year, I hit a weird patch. Life felt monotonous, and even my favourite decadence didn’t help. While my friends were starting to be interested in golf and Pilates, I opted for singing classes. I didn’t tell anyone, except a couple of close friends who text me daily. For the first time in a long while, I was doing something just for me. A year later, I shared random song covers on Instagram. That’s when the comments came. “Singing classes just to sound better in the shower? Waste of money,” some said. But they were wrong. Those classes have been my escape. Whenever my teacher notices even a small improvement, it feels like I just received a Grammy award. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about learning, growing, and enjoying the process. And it’s teaching me that stepping out of your comfort zone and sticking with something for 1 year can bring major changes.
This year, I also rediscovered fiction. For years, I avoided novels, thinking they were a waste of time. “Why read fiction when you could watch something or learn from non-fiction?” I thought. But picking up a novel and watching Chinese anime changed my mind. Through these stories, I found a fictional character who became an unexpected role model. That character reshaped how I see myself and the world. It’s funny how the things you least expect can change you the most. (If you’re curious, I shared more about it here.
Another “pointless” joy I discovered this year was concept photoshoots. It started with trying on traditional Chinese clothing (hanfu) just for fun. I had admired it in dramas but didn’t think much of it. Then, I fell in love with it. That passion even took me to China for photoshoots with friends. Now, I get invitations to collaborate with local photographers and hanfu stores. What started as a whim turned into something that helped me appreciate myself more. As someone who works from home and spends most days in sweatpants, looking like a potato, these photos remind me that I can feel beautiful too, whenever I choose to. At least to me, that is a form of self-love.
And then, there’s this blog. If you’ve been following me, you might know that I lost my passion for writing when it became my job. I’ve shared before how difficult it was to separate writing for work from writing for myself (read the story here). Starting this “10 Lessons of 2024” series initially felt like just another task on my to-do list. But writing these posts has given me a chance to reflect on where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and where I want to go. I owe this to myself. If even one post resonates with someone, that’s more than enough for me.
There are many things I’ve been doing lately that might seem pointless, but they bring me so much joy. Things like getting a hamster, learning to brew pour-over coffee properly (
read that story here), putting on perfume, setting up an essential oil diffuser before bed, and trying out new recipes just for fun.
Here’s what I’ve come to understand: hobbies don’t need a “purpose” or a measurable outcome. Deep down, I think we all crave something more. Our souls yearn for pure, unfiltered joy through things that might not make sense on paper but fill our hearts in ways we can’t explain. They don’t have to make you money, improve your fitness, or enhance your productivity. They just need to remind you what it feels like to truly live. So, do what you love—unapologetically, passionately, and wholeheartedly.
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