It's true. Not long ago it seems like everyone had some sort of a hobby, and many people had more than one. They might have had "crafty" hobbies like sewing, woodworking, scrap booking, or model-building. Maybe they were artistic hobbies like painting, drawing, or photography. Some people enjoy gardening and maybe that's their favorite hobby. Some enjoy cooking or baking and do that with a passion.
Then there is collecting. You can collect anything.
I've gone way overboard with collections a few times in my life. For a while I collected record albums (I finally stopped at 600+ and sold them all at once). For a while I collected Johnny Lightning cars (I still have most of those). I had a camera collection for a while in the past. I've had lots of little "almost" collections that never really went anywhere, but they were fun nonetheless. I have a problem with that sort of thing. When I collect things I tend to overdo it.
But at least I do it.
Collecting is probably the easiest hobby, but still a very fun hobby. It used to be only a nerd thing. The stereotypical nerd of yesteryear was wearing glasses that were too big and staring into a magnifying glass at stamps, coins, or bugs. Not any more though--Collecting stuff is fun for everyone and knows no boundaries. Collecting can be an expensive hobby like collecting porcelain dolls or antiques, or a completely free hobby like collecting pop cans or AOL cd's. Some of the most fun collections are the theme collections, like anything with a smiley face on it, or anything Coca-Cola, etc.
I think the last couple generations of kids and young adults have a definite lack of creativity. It's like the hobby gene (you heard it first here, folks!) has been eliminated completely. Maybe it's too much media input? Too many video games? No adult mentors to spend time with them? All of the above? Maybe it has to to with kids nowadays never reading anything. If they're going to experience a story, it's always on a TV screen or in a theater. While that's fine, the presentation they're watching is only one person's perspective. You don't get to work your mind into wondering and visualizing. Because of the influence of media arts, people complain of boredom. If there's nothing on TV, and nothing new on Facebook, the boredom sets in. Everyone in the country should have two hobbies: One for indoors when it's too nasty outside, and one for outdoors when it's too nice to be indoors.
A hobby can nurture creativity and pride. They can teach people to pay attention to detail. Someone may be inspired to seek further knowledge and expertise about their hobby, and that knowledge can increase self-confidence. It may be instrumental in shaping their adult lives if they find a hobby that they are really passionate about.
If you have a hobby, plant the seed in someone else. Be a mentor and get someone you know to expand their interests. If you don't have a hobby, get one!
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