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"How do you approach your hobby?" Topic


13 Posts

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FusilierDan Supporting Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 5:51 a.m. PST

Here's an article about a way of thinking about your hobby. I'm an okay painter but will sometimes pick a figure to do a better job on. I do set goals for painting compared to purchases as seen in the Pledge but don't get too stressed out if I miss them.

As for gaming. It's the time playing not the winning or losing that counts. Supposed to be fun.

Possible poll question? I would think yes.

Anyway here's an article about this.
link

ZULUPAUL Supporting Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 7:08 a.m. PST

It is a hobby not an obsession. I do hobby "stuff" only 1 or2 times a month. Currently downsizing everything.
Paul

Old Glory Sponsoring Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 7:13 a.m. PST

Standing up and walking-- although I have been known to occasionally crawl.

robert piepenbrink Supporting Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 8:36 a.m. PST

Makes sense, OG. But don't forget the preliminary bombardment and laying down a smoke screen.

Personal logo Sgt Slag Supporting Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 9:22 a.m. PST

True hobbies bring diversion and release. If you've forgotten what that feels like or how to do it, look to the kids. How they run, collect, build and experiment without thinking about it. The way they keep showing up when things don't go according to plan, because they implicitly understand you can't fail at a hobby.

Society already makes you feel like you owe optimal performance to your career, your friendships and your fitness. But your hobbies are on your side. You don't owe them a thing.

Great article. I agree, whole heartedly. My hobbies exist to entertain, challenge, and reward me. If my friends enjoy the fruits of my hobby pursuits (painted mini's and games I put on/participate in), great! If not, I still derive tremendous satisfaction and enjoyment from them, even if no one else ever does. Maybe that is selfish(?), but it makes me happy, and it does not hurt others. I am good with that. Cheers!

Personal logo etotheipi Sponsoring Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 9:40 a.m. PST

Are we still allowed to be bad at our hobbies?

Written from the standpoint that other people force you to do things in your hobby! Someone is allowing you to be bad … or not.

Society already makes you feel like you owe optimal performance to your career, your friendships and your fitness.

Ah, society is doing this to me. They're to blame. It's a fair cop, we'll arrest them, then.

It's sad that something ostensibly dedicated to mental health would have something like that second quote in it.

Frederick Supporting Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 10:03 a.m. PST

To paraphrase Sigmund Freud, sometimes a hobby is just a hobby

arthur181517 Mar 2026 10:33 a.m. PST

I'm with Sgt Slag on this article, which I thought made a very good point: if you enjoy doing something, that is what is important not whatever 'objective' standard you reach.

My motto: If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing badly if you're happy with that. I can't paint nearly as well as many who present the results of their skill online, and I'm no great shakes as a commander of toy soldiers in wargames either, but I'm content with what I do.

Personal logo piper909 Supporting Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 10:47 a.m. PST

Silently, on tip-toe, from around a corner, and preferably in the dark.

14Bore Supporting Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 1:12 p.m. PST

How about just 1 outlet for a history buff?

cavcrazy17 Mar 2026 1:27 p.m. PST

I have never actually thought about it, my hobby is how I spend what free time I have.
I am fortunate enough to have found likeminded individuals with whom I can game with, socialize with on a regular basis. Painting is fun, I'm pretty good at it, many of my friends are better, some worse, but I'm always learning. What I like most about this hobby is the escape. painting a new unit for an upcoming game, working out your points, building a nice looking game table, gaming with my friends, rolling dice, laughing at failed charges, lunch is always a bonus, and just stepping away from a world that is growing increasingly chaotic. For a few hours on a Saturday afternoon, everything is okay. That's how I approach my hobby.

huron725 Supporting Member of TMP17 Mar 2026 2:45 p.m. PST

I'm with Zulupaul; this is not an obsession just one of many hobbies.

+1 cavcrazy

Zephyr117 Mar 2026 3:27 p.m. PST

I have too many hobbies. I'm just trying to finish one so that I can work on finishing the others. But they all want to be done at once… ;-)

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