When people hear the word hobbyist, they picture someone in a shed building model trains while wearing magnifying glasses and muttering about paint accuracy.
And honestly, bless those people — they’re legends. But it’s time to reclaim the word.
Because the truth is, you’re a hobbyist too.
Yep. You.
If you go to Pilates twice a week, spend too much time planning your next trip, have an opinion on which board game is the best, or own more plants than shelves — congratulations. You, my friend, are a hobbyist.
We’ve Been Doing Hobbies Wrong (Linguistically, Not Literally)
Somewhere along the line, the word hobbyist got weirdly exclusive. Like it only applied to people who build ships in bottles or run radio clubs in basements. The rest of us got lumped into “just dabbling.”
But here’s the thing — hobbies aren’t a niche; they’re a lifeline. They’re the things you do when the workday ends and the “you” part of your life begins. Hobbies are the reset button, the spark, the Saturday morning plans that make the week worth it.
What Counts as a Hobby?
If it’s something you love doing that isn’t doomscrolling or sitting in traffic, it counts.
- Going for a hike on the weekend? Hobby.
- Bingeing travel videos and planning your next trip? Hobby.
- Collecting sneakers, candles, or vintage mugs? Hobby.
- Learning to bake bread and occasionally setting off the smoke alarm? Hobby.
- Taking photos of your dog that could win awards if there were awards for “Most Photogenic Dog”? Hobby.
Hobbies don’t have to be fancy or profitable or even something you’re particularly good at. They just have to make you feel a little more you.
The Real Hobbyist Energy
Being a hobbyist isn’t about mastery — it’s about curiosity.
It’s the energy that says, “I could try that,” and then actually does. It’s the satisfaction of learning something new, the small joy of progress, the thrill of telling someone, “Yeah, I’ve been getting into that lately.”
And that’s why HobbyScoop exists.
We’re here for every version of “getting into something.” Whether you’re deep into model building or just testing a new recipe, this space is for people who like things — and like liking things.
The Takeaway
Let’s reclaim hobbyist. Let’s make it mean anyone who finds joy in doing, making, collecting, creating, moving, exploring, or learning.
Because whether it’s 5 minutes a day or a full-blown obsession, your hobbies make life more interesting — and you deserve to own that.
So go ahead, say it with pride:
“I’m a hobbyist.”
(And if anyone asks what kind, just smile and say, “The fun kind.”)
