Why hobbies matter

But whether it is spending a Saturday morning in the garden, heading out for a spot of fishing, restoring an old car or picking up a paintbrush, having something you enjoy doing simply for the sake of it can be one of life’s great pleasures.

Hobbies give us something to look forward to. They can provide a break from the usual routine and give us the chance to switch off from work, chores and everything else competing for our attention.

And they don’t have to be complicated or expensive.

For some, it might be tending to a veggie patch and watching something grow from a handful of seeds.

For others, it could be taking the camera out for a walk, trying a new recipe, collecting old records, doing a crossword or finally tackling that project in the shed that has been waiting for attention.

And there is also something satisfying about getting better at something over time.

You might start out knowing very little about woodworking, gardening, photography or painting, but every little bit of practice adds up.

Sometimes, the finished result matters, and sometimes it is simply the enjoyment of getting there.

Hobbies can also bring people together.

Joining a local club, craft group, gardening group, fishing community or car club can introduce you to people who share the same interests.

Some friendships start with little more than a shared passion and a conversation over a cup of coffee.

And perhaps one of the best things about having a hobby is that it is time that belongs to you.

There doesn’t have to be a practical reason for it.

You don’t have to make money from it, become an expert or produce something worthy of putting on display.

Sometimes it is enough to enjoy the process.

So if there is something you have always wanted to try, perhaps now is the time to give it a go.

Dig out the old sewing machine.

Dust off the fishing rods.

Pick up that paintbrush. Get back into the shed.

It doesn’t have to be productive.

It just has to make you happy.