On Hobbies and Disciplines

We recently watched American Ham, a stand-up “comedy” routine by Nick Offerman (of Parks & Recreation fame, playing Ron Swanson). Amidst the admittedly well-over-the-top raunchiness there were some truly spectacular pieces of advice.

The most hard-hitting advice he gave was to have a “hobby”. He admits during the show that he hates the word “hobby” — it’s a fun word to say, but it doesn’t suit what he’s talking about. For some reason, the word “hobby” makes it sound like something unimportant. Frivolous.

So he calls them “disciplines” (which I think makes them sound a little TOO intimidating but since I can’t find a better word, I’m throwing no stones here).

Have a discipline.

Don’t just go to work and fall asleep into the tv, rinse and repeat.

DO something. MAKE something. Knit. Play the guitar. Woodwork. (write).

Find your thing, that thing. Be active, if you can but find something that fills you.

I’m deviating from Offerman a bit here, but bear with me.

Myself

I go to work (and I love my work) and when I get home I try and spend some time running on the treadmill because I know my job is a sedentary one. Most of the rest of my time is spent with Steven. This is awesome and fun and rewarding in its own way, but there is a part of me that feels like I am being selfish if I take away from our time together in order to write.

Steven assures me that the opposite is true — he loves my writing and encourages me on a regular basis, but that niggling certainty keeps me from being as active as I could be.

You

You parents, friends, lovers, busy people in the audience — ask yourself how often you deny yourself a hobby so that you can spend more time with your family? This is an admirable and wonderful thing, but should they also see you doing something that you love? Should they learn to respect the time you need in order to do it, and admire your output?

I’m rambling here and I know it, and I know not everyone WANTS a hobby, but I really feel like there may be more of you out there who feel that same guilt about taking time away from family for the selfish pursuit of a “hobby”.

That detestable, insignificant “hobby”.

So I know I need to change this guilty feeling. It’s doing damage, not favors. Every time I schedule writing time, I feel apologetic when I let Steven know it’s on the calendar, and that’s completely absurd.

What Would Future Me Think?

Even worse, how foolish is it to not have books done by now? How will older me feel when she looks back and wonders just what the hell I was thinking. Why I couldn’t even carve out one hour a week to write this year?

I’m tired of regrets based on nonsense.

I suppose, if anything, I want you to make sure you’re not treading water for the same reasons. Not denying your “hobby” when it should be upheld as a “discipline”. I’m not talking about military strictness, I’m talking about giving it any sort of honor and precedence at all.

About living a rounded, fullfilling life.

Related posts:

Do You Have Time to Write?
[Perry] Writing in Short Sessions
[Perry] Juggling to Avoid Guilt