The Importance of Having a Hobby Essay Example

Before the pandemic, I was struggling to diversify my interest and hobbies due to my demand working and studying schedules.  It was difficult for me to explore my hobbies and interests in a way that kept my mind stimulated. During the pandemic, however, I could find time to explore different interests while maintaining a balanced work schedule.

Once I got comfortable with my work, I could set my time aside to discover things that can keep me active and happy.  In the past six months, I took some Writing, Advertising, Digital Marketing classes and all, of which I had never taken to explore before the pandemic.  I am certainly glad that I did all of that because I needed to have more in my life besides working every day to keep me more occupied and continue to build up more skills and interests.

It is sad to see a lot of us have let goes of our interests and hobbies to meet the demands of our daily life activities.  We only live on earth once, so we should make the most out of it by living a happy life and do the things that we enjoy doing.  The best things can happen when you can live your hobby because it can give you with a sense of joy and pleasure as well as self-satisfaction.

I think the reason some people struggle to find a hobby or interest is that they do not know where to look or do not have enough information, or they might need more like-minded people to motivate them to explore.   My advice is to take the time to think and recognize your past interests, like childhood interests or hobbies. You can diversify your interests and take pride in what you can find yourself capable of learning certain skills, or hobbies such as playing an instrument or learning a new language in your spare time.

Spending time to do an activity that you enjoy that is not attached to your work or commitments can certainly increase your level of happiness and satisfaction in your life.  Doing this is for your benefit and not for the benefit of others.

With all the stress that our world is going through this moment like the pandemic, without having any interest or hobby, your life can become boring and demanding, and you can end up living an unhealthy life cycle.  Finding a hobby can certainly add some excitements and sparks that can increase your life satisfaction and can also improve your mental well being.

Exploring hobbies and interests should have no age limitations and restrictions if you are comfortable with them.  Everyone should have at least one hobby whether it is playing sports, watching movies, cooking, singing, writing, or reading.  You need to figure out what you like to do in your spare time and what you are good at so that you can do them for leisure.  

Do not ignore the benefits of taking time, to discover your new hobbies and interests because it can help us to disconnect and decrease the stress and anxiety level, especially during pandemic times.

The pandemic has given some people the opportunity to take on some new hobbies and interests and enhance their talents.

When you have diversified new hobbies, it can help you to learn some new skills which can increase your creativity, help you to relax, and to explore different sides of your personality.  Having more interesting hobbies can help you to become a more interesting and well-rounded person.  Having diversity in your hobbies can help you to expand your social life by making more new friends, improve the quality of your life, gain a different life perspective, build up your self-confidence and self-esteem as well as sharping your brain.

Diversifying new hobbies can be extremely rewarding and enriching to our lives.  We need to find hobbies that interest us because we can experience joy and pleasure in the process of exploring different options of hobbies.

Having multiple hobbies has proven to have many benefits to us and can change us for the better.  The following is some benefits of diversifying your hobbies and interests:

1. Hobbies can help us to distress

Having several hobbies can provide us with an opportunity to enrich our lives because they can allow us to distress.  Having hobbies can help us to improve our mental and physical health, as well as lowering our risk of having depression and critical illness.  Hobbies can increase a person’s sense of identity, self-worth and reduce self-doubt.  When you are adding a new hobby, it can be a good outlet to release stress because it allows you to take your mind off the demands of your work and life commitments.  Doing hobbies that you enjoy can restore your mind and help you to handle future life challenges in a better way.

2. Hobbies can help us to expand our social life

Having different hobbies can allow us to socialize and make new friends that can be a great benefit for our overall well-being.  We can build a connection with people who share similar interests and enjoy the same things as us.  Hanging out with like-minded people who have the same passion is a great way to expand your social life and can even help you transform your hobby into a career.  

3. Hobbies can make you an interesting person

When you have multiple interests and hobbies, it can make you a more interesting person because you would have more stories, experiences, and skills to share with people.  You can come across people who are interested in your hobbies and provide you with the opportunity to be a teacher and teach them what you have learned.

4.  Hobbies can help you to increase your self-confidence

When you have become more skilled and good at something, it would make you feel good and can increase your self-confidence.  Even though it can take time to develop your hobby, but the process can be extremely rewarding because you can be able to tell others about your skills and talents.  With the exposure to so many options of activities available nowadays, you should be able to diversify your hobbies and interests.  If your hobbies can provide you with a sense of purpose, then you can become more confident about challenging yourself to a new hobby and learning something new.

5.  Hobbies can increase your creativity

Some hobbies that can inspire us to be more creative, and this can be beneficial to people who can not be creative in their work.  When we can engage in a creative hobby, we can train our brains to be more creative in our lives.  Having creative hobbies can help us to experience new things and perspectives in our lives.  Having a new hobby can give you more exposure to diversity, new opinions as well as new views in life.

6.  Hobbies can help you to explore yourself and discover your talents

By exploring and diversifying our hobbies, we can discover our interests and what we are passionate about, and there is nothing that can stop us from becoming the best once we have put our mind to achieve them. Trying out new hobbies would allow you to learn more about yourself as well as discover some of your hidden talents.

7.  Hobbies allow you to take a break

Do you feel that all you do every day is getting up and going to work, coming home, sleeping, and going back to work the next day?  The benefit of having hobbies can help you to break the daily boring routine and add some excitements to your days as well as giving you a sense of living purpose. 

Related Samples

  • How to Balance Life Essay Example
  • What is Inspiration Essay Example
  • Who I Want to Be Essay Example
  • My Swim Race Experience. Essay on Competition
  • "Petals" Of My Identity (Essay About Myself)
  • Essay About Life: Ferris Wheel
  • Definitions of Love in Songs Essay Example
  • Essay About Friends. Why do We Lose our Friends?
  • We Won’t Survive Without Kindness Essay Example
  • Essay on Talent. Why is It the Key to Success?

Didn't find the perfect sample?

benefits of hobby essay

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

Kettering University Online

Learn Differently-Worldwide

  • 1-855-418-0201 Call Now
  • Request  More Info

Take action toward possibility in 2023! Apply by March 14 to start classes in March.

Why Hobbies Are Important?

hobbies

For many of us, carving out time and energy to engage in a hobby seems like just one more thing we do not have time to do. Work, school, family, religious, and community obligations can be overwhelming, leaving little room for doing the things we enjoy. Although, a quick Google search reveals countless articles and blogs explaining the personal and professional benefits of engaging in a hobby.

Hobbies take us out of our everyday experience and give us a chance to do something we love and are passionate about. Engaging in a hobby can be a mental escape, help us hone a skill, or just provide an opportunity to socialize with others. Hobbies are a great way to disconnect from work and break away from the monotony of daily schedules. Also, even though it may seem daunting to add ONE MORE THING to your to-do list, having a hobby has been shown to be a stress reliever.

“Hobbies are often thought of as activities for people who lead quiet, relaxed lives. However, people with full, busy, even stressful lives may need hobbies more than the average person, and benefit greatly from having hobbies in their lives. Hobbies bring many benefits that usually make them more than worth the time they require” (Scott, 2018, para. 1).

Benefits of Hobbies

Different types of hobbies offer different types of benefits. Following are some examples:

Physical hobbies have clear physiological benefits because they increase both your heart rate and brain function. Other benefits include lower blood pressure, weight loss, building muscle, strengthening bones, and an overall increase in energy.

Examples: hiking, camping, swimming, yoga, or martial arts

Mental and Emotional

Carving out time for activities you enjoy is an easy way to improve your mental health and overall emotional well-being. Hobbies decrease stress by relaxing you and taking your mind off the more pressing concerns of daily life like work and paying bills. Also, hobbies can give us a sense of mastery and control. Our esteem level tends to rise as we feel ever more accomplished at a particular task. The following examples have been associated with improved mental health and depression reduction.

Examples: gardening, listening to music, painting or drawing, cooking, coloring, and photography

Social and Interpersonal

Hobbies are a great way to socialize and meet new friends. Social hobbies facilitate bonds with others and add another layer of support to your life serving to reduce stress. Meet Up is a widely used platform for people to “meet new people, learn new things, find support, get out of their comfort zones, and pursue their passions, together” (Meetup, 2019, para. 1). There are dozens of groups in every city dedicated to all kinds of group activities. It is likely that you will find others interested in the same things you are, and there will be a meetup group already established. If not, you can create your own meetup group.

Examples: exploring new restaurants, seeing movies, discussing philosophy, trying new technology, playing music, playing games, and investing in real estate

Some hobbies inspire us to tap into our creative side. This can be especially helpful for people who have no creative outlets at their work. Engaging in a creative hobby can help train your brain to be more creative in other areas of your life.

Examples: writing fiction, hand lettering or calligraphy, cake or cookie decorating, soap making, quilting, crocheting or knitting, and jewelry-making

Self-Improvement

Some people enjoy hobbies that give them the opportunity to improve their confidence level, boost their self-esteem, and improve their quality of life. If you are thinking about a hobby like this, consider whether there is something you would like to change about yourself or improve upon. For example, would you like to be a competent public speaker, lose weight, or become more heart healthy? Do you need to improve your attention to detail, or would you like to learn a new language?

Examples: traveling alone, cooking, meditation, completing puzzles, journaling, or volunteering.

Choosing a Hobby

If you are interested in devoting some time and energy to a hobby but do not yet have one, consider the things you enjoy, things that interest you, and perhaps things you would like to improve upon. If you have never had a hobby, it can be overwhelming to choose one. Considering the following questions might be helpful in narrowing your choices for a hobby:

  • Do you enjoy competition?
  • Do you prefer to enjoy a doing things alone or with others?
  • Is there a particular skill you would like to develop?
  • Are you getting enough physical activity in your daily life?
  • Are there things you enjoyed doing in your childhood that you would like to revisit?
  • In what ways do you want your hobby to challenge or change you?
  • How much time can you devote to your new hobby?
  • How much money can you invest in your new hobby?
  • With what types of people would you like to interact?
  • What kinds of benefits would you like your hobby to provide?

Some hobbies can provide a way to save or make money. For example, to save money you can refurbish items you find at a garage sale or grow your own vegetables. To make money, you can sell the photographs you take or the cakes you bake. Exercise caution though if you are planning to save or make money with your hobbies as it can easily sap the joy out of doing it and create more stress especially if you have to make business decisions about your hobby.

Hobbies are essential to having a well-rounded life. Saving some time for yourself to enjoy a hobby can provide the physical, mental, emotional, and creative benefits that make life more meaningful, relaxing, and fun!

Regardless of which hobby you choose, the benefits of engaging in that hobby will likely surprise you.

KUO’s Innovative MBA

An MBA can make the difference in gaining the skills and knowledge to understand how to adjust and transform business practices, regardless of the circumstances in the world. From managerial accounting to international business, enterprise information system models to managing people and organizations, Kettering University’s award-winning MBA (ranked #1 in Michigan according to MBA Central) is designed to expose you to the most current academic research and innovative approaches to business. The design of the courses allows you to find solutions to your real-world problems with the Learn Today-Use Tomorrow approach to learning.

© Kettering University

All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | California Privacy Notice

Develop Good Habits

22 Benefits of Having a Hobby or Enjoying a Leisure Activity

There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.

Many people find themselves stuck in a daily or weekly routine that offers little more than a “ rinse and repeat ” type life.

While it's important to stick to a schedule , sometimes the same routine becomes dull — especially when you're spending too much time on low value activities like watching TV , browsing social media , or engaging in bad habits that hold back your personal success.

Sometimes it is important to bring some change to what might seem like a boring life.

One way to end the monotony is to focus on a hobby that is both enjoyable and helps you pass the time in a meaningful way.

Check out this list 22 Benefits of Having a Hobby or Enjoying a Leisure Activity. Read about the many different ways that having a hobby can improve your life. #mentalhealth #wellness #mindset #longevity #personalgrowth #healthylifestyle #personaldevelopment #psychology

Spending time doing an enjoyable activity that is not attached to work or other commitments will help increase your happiness and satisfaction with life. It will allow you to spend time doing something that is only for your own personal benefit, and not the benefit of others.

Without having a hobby, your life may become boring, seem demanding, and end up in an unhealthy cycle. While having a routine is great because it is so easy, incorporating a hobby into your life can add excitement and spark that it may need to increase your personal satisfaction. This will then flow over to your work performance and ability to maintain a healthy family and other relationships.

Now, if you're still uncertain about “why” you should engage in a fun, recreational activity, then I recommend you check out the rest of this article where we talk about 22 benefits of having a hobby (and also, take a look at these hobbies for men and these hobbies for women .)

( Side note: Another positive ​way to improve your life is to read and learn something new every day. A great tool to do this is to join over 1 million others and start your day with the latest FREE, informative news from this website .)

Let's get to it…

Table of Contents

1. Hobbies are a great stress reliever.

Your hobby should be a completely pleasurable activity that allows you to take your mind off of the demands of your daily life or negative emotions. It’s a healthy and productive distraction from work or personal troubles.

While adding an activity to your list of things to do might seem like it could create more stress, I've found that it is actually a great outlet for releasing stress . When you focus on a non-work-related task and you are able to get into the flow of it, all of your stress seems to fade away.

For example, maybe you are interested in taking up fishing. While you might initially see this as a time commitment that you cannot really afford, once you are able to carve out the time in your busy schedule to focus on being on the water and in nature, it will help you leave work and life aside for a while.

(Also, here are 16 additional ways to reduce stress in your life .)

2. Hobbies encourage you to take a break.

Hobbies offer you an opportunity to take a break, while also giving you a sense of purpose. If you're like me, you probably like to feel productive no matter what you are doing. If you are engaged in an activity, you don't want to feel like you are just spinning your wheels.

A hobby gives you that sense of purpose.

You are able to do something while still having fun. Also, the more you do a hobby, the more you are likely to learn about the subject, which will provide you with an increased sense of life satisfaction. Maybe you want to learn a new language or learn to write Chinese characters. The more you engage in your hobby, the more you will learn.

3. Hobbies offer new challenges and experiences.

Work-related challenges are often accompanied by stress and the pressure to be the best at what you are doing. With a hobby, you can enjoy the process of learning something new without feeling discouraged at being bad at it in the beginning. It can even help you get out of your comfort zone .

A hobby can also offer you different types of challenges than you are used to. While you may spend your days at work being challenged mentally, you can take up a hobby that can challenge you physically, such as rock climbing or kayaking.

4. Hobbies allow you to explore yourself and your talents.

You never really know what you’re capable of unless you try something. You may surprise yourself and discover some hidden talents . For example, you might assume that you would never be one to take up golf because you find it is boring to watch on television, and it seems like a slow way to spend your time.

But if you try it, you may discover that you love playing golf, and that you have a certain talent for hitting the golf ball correctly and being successful with the sport. Hobbies help you discover the things that you’re good (and bad) at, and might surprise you. Self discovery is especially important during the teenage years. Check out our roundup of fun hobbies for teens.

5. Hobbies can help improve your career.

While it may seem counterintuitive to make time for something outside of work in order to get ahead at work, career coaches have confirmed that having a hobby can help make you better at your job.

Having a hobby helps you learn how to handle work-life stress and think creatively. It also shows employers that you have passions and a drive to do something with your time. ( Check out this list of creative hobbies! )

A hobby can also help decrease your chances of becoming burned out at work. If your entire routine consists of work and home, with no other stimulation to your brain, you are going to get bored . Having a hobby can help improve your focus and drive while you are at work because it will take away from the time outside of work that you are not engaging your mind.

So if you spend time after work focusing on riding your bike, you will give your mind a chance to focus on something specific instead of what happened at work that day. This can help you go back into work the next day refreshed and ready to succeed .

6. Hobbies can provide additional income.

You may find a hobby that you are good enough at that you can make sales for extra income. You may even get the chance to turn your hobby into a full-time job. For example, maybe you really like to garden, and you spend time keeping your garden well-manicured and healthy.

If you find that you really have a knack for that, you may offer garden design services to other people, which could turn into a full-time job. Even if it is just consulting, this would be one example of a great way to make some money off of a hobby.

Read the rest of the post about 22 Benefits of Having a Hobby or Enjoying a Leisure Activity. Learn about the different ways that having a hobby can improve your life.  #mentalhealth #longevity #personalgrowth #healthylifestyle #personaldevelopment #psychology #healthyhabits

7. Hobbies help transition you to retirement.

While the idea of retirement may seem like a great thing, many people find that their lives lose purpose once they stop working. Retirement means a big lifestyle change, and some don’t take it too well. What will you do with all of your free time? Will you feel like your life is fulfilling enough?

Having a hobby will allow you to have a life outside of work, so you can have something productive to focus on. For some people, this is as simple as having a bridge group. Many people learn to play bridge in their later years in order to keep an active social life while also still challenging their minds.

8. Hobbies prevent you from wasting time and creating bad habits.

Hobbies help people avoid boredom. Boredom is actually responsible for a lot of the suffering in our society, and many of people’s destructive behaviors.

Having good hobbies to fill up free time makes people less likely to spend their idle time on negative activities or bad habits such as drinking, gambling, or drugs. Hobbies give you something to do when you are unable to find something to fill your time. They also give you something to look forward to.

As the old saying goes, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Hobbies keep you out of trouble, and help relieve boredom. So, rather than sitting around trying to find something to entertain you, you can jump back into your exciting hobby that makes you lose track of time completely.

9. Hobbies help you grow spiritually.

Just as your body is nourished through food and exercise, your soul needs to be nourished as well. This can happen through creativity and spiritual practice alike. Doing something that leaves you feeling inspired and recharged will help you apply those feelings to other areas of your life.

Feeding your soul spiritually involves regularly connecting with your higher power. Your best spiritual hobby will help you feel calm, peaceful, and purposeful. Hobbies you do by yourself alone are almost a form of meditation because they can help you relax your mind and connect with the higher power.

10. Hobbies improve your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Pushing your limits and getting out of your comfort zone will help you build your self-esteem as you achieve things you thought were not possible. Each time you progress with your hobby, you are pushing yourself more into a mentality of being able to accomplish anything.

You feel good about yourself when you're good at something. Of course, there is a learning curve to any activity, but once you are able to get to the point where you are confident about what you are doing, you will find success in your journey and feel a sense of internal motivation to continue.

For example, think of the progress you would make from progressing from an initial tae kwon do class to a 10th class. You are destined to make progress in each class, which will lead you to becoming more skilled in the art of tae kwon do. This process will build your self-confidence.

11. Hobbies enrich your perspective.

Having a new hobby can be very effective when it comes to building character. It enriches your life and provides you with a different perspective on things.

Regardless of what type of hobby you take up, you will certainly be exposed to new people and ideas. Having a hobby will help you grow in many ways, including exposing you to diversity, new opinions, and new ways to look at life.

Discover the 22 Benefits of Having a Hobby or Enjoying a Leisure Activity. Read about the many different ways that having a hobby can improve your life. #healthylifestyle #personaldevelopment #pyschology #healthyhabits #mentalhealth #habits

12. Hobbies improve your memory.

You likely already assume that mentally intensive hobbies such as playing chess or learning computer coding can give your brain an excellent workout. However, did you know that craft hobbies like sewing and beading can help improve your memory as well?

Doing these purposeful activities has the power to focus your brain, similar to the way meditation does. Crafting hobbies help ward off depression while protecting the brain from memory loss due to aging.

13. Hobbies promote good stress (also known as eustress).

Eustress is a positive type of stress that makes you excited about what you're doing . Hobbies are one of the greatest ways to experience this kind of stress. When you're only doing something because you actually want to do it, you feel excitement that can translate to your life in general.

Take playing basketball, for example. If you are just playing for fun, the excitement of the game will probably give you a sense of energy due to the fast gameplay. Your hobby does not have to be as fast-paced as basketball, but it can still give you a challenge that will promote positive stress.

14. Hobbies promote mindfulness and staying present.

You have probably heard about some of the most talked-about mindfulness techniques, like meditation , but there is an increasing amount of evidence suggesting that many hobbies can also act as effective mindfulness exercises. This is because they encourage people to focus on the task at hand.

Doing your hobby trains you to enter a state of flow, especially when you really love and enjoy what you are doing. Take pottery, for example. The concentration that is needed to create a work of art helps center the mind and allows stressful thoughts to go away.

Even if you do not have a lot of artistic talent, the process of connecting your mind with your body to create art is enough to bring you to the present moment.

(To learn more about this concept, be sure to check out how to build the mindfulness practice and 71 mindfulness exercises you can try on your own .)

15. Hobbies help ward off depression.

A lot of people turn to various treatments, therapies, and medications to help control mental illnesses such as depression, but did you know that engaging in hobbies that you already enjoy can help too?

One study that tested the potential of knitting to manage anxiety in eating disorders found that patients were able to reduce their feelings of anxiety when they were preoccupied when knitting. Specifically, 74% of participants reported that knitting was both calming and therapeutic.

Engaging in a hobby that you already enjoy doing may be the type of effective treatment that you have been looking for. Some common hobbies that people have found to help ward off anxiety and depression include listening to music, volunteering, keeping a gratitude journal, and playing with pets.

Taking time to relax and engage in an enjoyable activity can help benefit your mental health. Hobbies help improve a person’s sense of identity, usefulness, and well-being, and eliminate feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt.

16. Hobbies help keep you physically healthy.

Engaging in a lifestyle of holistic wellness involves more than just eating healthy foods and exercising. It also includes doing the things you love.

Studies have shown that engaging in leisure activities not only helps people be happier and less bored but is also a great way to increase one's productivity and even help people stay in shape.

People are more likely to lose weight or stay fit when they take up a physical hobby, which can be both rewarding and fun. On the other hand, forcing yourself to exercise makes it seem like a chore, and often ends in quitting because it is not enjoyable.

So, while you may not want to wake up at 5:00 am to walk on the treadmill for an hour, you may look forward to joining a kickball team after work, which can provide you with both physical exercise and some social interaction.

17. Hobbies help you sleep better.

What do you usually do before going to bed? If you're like a lot of people, you probably look through your phone, watch television, or look through social media. And then, you probably have a hard time falling asleep.

Instead of wasting your time doing these things, finding a relaxing hobby can slow down your heart rate and decrease the frequency of your brain waves at night. This allows you to fall asleep more easily.

Also, feeling the “good” kind of tired after being active during the day can help you get a more restful sleep. So if your hobby is more active, like taking a kickboxing class during the day, this can help exhaust your body and prepare it for a good night's sleep.

(Side note: If you'd like to discover additional ways to improve your sleep, then check out these 13 techniques for falling asleep earlier and how to wake up earlier , while feeling refreshed.)

18. Hobbies strengthen your relationships.

Once you find a hobby that you love, you can share it with loved ones, and spend more time together. Maybe your relationship with your spouse has become a bit dull and repetitive, and it is time to add that spark back in. If there is not a new hobby that you both want to start together, invite your spouse to join you in your current hobby. ( We even compiled a list of fun hobbies can do together. )

Maybe you have developed a love for cooking. Ask your spouse to join you in the kitchen and see what you all can come up with together. This will help you spend time together while you are cooking, and then even more time afterward while you are enjoying whatever you decided to make.

19. Hobbies allow you to meet new people.

Mutual tastes in activities such as music, arts, and sports are one of the surest ways to connect with other people. Because of this, it makes sense to take up a hobby if you are looking to meet new people who have similar interests.

Hanging about with like-minded people who share your passions can turn out to be an effective way to increase your social circle.

Connecting with other people will help you learn new things and improve your skills while also making friends. One great hobby to take up to meet new people is dancing. Try out a salsa class or a different kind of dance that offers classes in your area so you will be able to see and interact with the same people each week.

If you need additional help making friends, then here are 35 places to meet new people .

Learn about the 22 Benefits of Having a Hobby or Enjoying a Leisure Activity. Read about the many different ways that having a hobby can improve your life. #longevity #personalgrowth #healthylifestyle #personaldevelopment #psychology #healthyhabits #mentalhealth

20. Hobbies help you become more patient.

To develop a new hobby, you will have to learn how to do something that you may have never done before. There will be a learning curve, and it will require patience to build up your skills. It takes time to become good at something new. Hobbies teach you to be patient with yourself as you learn and grow.

Fishing is a great example of a hobby that teaches patience. While there is a learning curve to be good at fishing, there is also a lot of downtime during this sport where you are waiting for fish to bite, or looking for a good place to fish.

This requires patience, and will teach it. And you will feel rewarded for your patience once you are successful in catching a fish.

21. Hobbies enable you to give back.

There are a lot of hobbies that can give you various opportunities to help other people. Here are some examples:

  • Become a mentor
  • Teach a class
  • Donate things that you make
  • Donate your belongings that you do not need anymore
  • Support troops with letter writing and other projects
  • Walk animals at the local shelter
  • Play music for other people
  • Cook at a soup kitchen
  • Volunteer with a search-and-rescue team

22. Hobbies make you more interesting.

Your hobby may give you a different perspective from others. If you are learning a new language, maybe you will know a lot more about another country than someone else, and they will be interested in your knowledge.

Because of your hobby, you may also have some fun stories, experiences, and skills to share with other people. You may even come across someone who wants to take up the hobby that you do, therefore enabling you to become a teacher and talk about everything that you have learned.

As you can see, the benefits of having a hobby can greatly improve your life. We recommend taking 15-30 minutes each day and devoting that time to a new passion that has nothing to do with your career or something that you already do at home. ( Here are some passion project ideas to consider. )

Do some research and find a few things that may pique your interest, then try them out. You don't have to stick with the first thing that you try, but you are bound to find something that interests you for the long term.

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Hobbies

Now, if you're looking for what to do next, then I recommend checking out the following posts that can help you identify a great hobby and learn how to master it.

  • 101 Skills You Can Learn Today
  • A Review of Skillshare (our favorite platform for learning new things)
  • Novice to Expert (my book on how to master any new skill)

Hope this post helped you understand “why” hobbies are important. If you found it to be useful, then please share with a friend or on your preferred social media platform.

Finally, if you want another positive ​way to improve your life, then read and learn something new every day. A great tool to do this is to join over 1 million others and start your day with the latest FREE, informative news from this website .

Read about the many different ways that having a hobby can improve your life.

1 thought on “22 Benefits of Having a Hobby or Enjoying a Leisure Activity”

Fishing is definitively not a good hobby. Killing animals needlessly is very wrong.

Comments are closed.

Essay on My Hobby for Students and Children

500+ words essay on my hobby.

Hobbies play a very important role in our lives. They occupy our minds when we are free and also make us happy. Hobbies are our escape from the real world that makes us forget our worries. Moreover, they make our lives interesting and enjoyable. If we look at it, all our hobbies are very useful for us. They teach us a lot of things about different stuff. They also help in expanding our knowledge.

Benefits of Having a Hobby

In today’s fast and competitive world, we often get time for ourselves. Over time, our schedule gets very dull and monotonous. That is why we need to indulge in something in between to keep our minds fresh and active. What’s better than a hobby for this? One of the main benefits of having a hobby is that it is a major stress-buster. You actually enjoy doing it and it satisfies your soul.

Essay on My Hobby

In other words, without a hobby, your life becomes an unhealthy cycle lacking any excitement or spark. Hobbies offer you a great opportunity to take a break and forget the worries of your life. They allow you to explore yourself and realize your potential in different areas.

Moreover, hobbies can also be a source of extra income. For instance, if you like painting, you can actually sell your art to make some extra money. Likewise, if you have a knack for dancing, you may teach dance classes to people on your holidays. This way your hobby a benefit you both spiritually and financially as well.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

My Favourite Hobby

If I were to pick one favourite hobby of mine out of the many I have, I will definitely pick gardening. I developed a taste for dancing when I was very young. The way my feet moved to the rhythm of the music convinced my parents that I was a born dancer. Dancing is very uplifting as well as economical.

I have always had a love for music and dance. However, I never realized the utter joy they bring to humans. Dancing gives us a lot of exercises. It teaches us to move our body rhythmically and feel the beat of every song. This kind of physical exercise is extremely delightful and enjoyable.

Moreover, dance also taught me how to stay strong and push my limits. I have had many injuries while dancing, too many bruises and cuts but that didn’t stop me from pursuing it further. In fact, it pushes me to do my best and realize my potential more than ever.

I have enrolled in dancing classes because I wish to make my hobby my career. I feel we all should do things which we enjoy doing. Everyone is running after money and in this race, they give up their likings and preferences. I have learned from this race and decided to not take part in it. I wish to take the road less traveled by and take on challenges most people don’t dare to.

In short, my hobby of dancing makes me feel alive and well. It is the only thing I look forward the most to. Thus, I hope to achieve my dream of being a professional dancer and making way for people who wish to make careers out of their hobbies.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

tutor

  • Travelling Essay
  • Picnic Essay
  • Our Country Essay
  • My Parents Essay
  • Essay on Favourite Personality
  • Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
  • Essay on Knowledge is Power
  • Essay on Gurpurab
  • Essay on My Favourite Season
  • Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Google Play

Become a Writer Today

Essays About Hobbies: Top 5 Examples and 9 Prompts

If you are writing essays about hobbies, check out our guide with helpful essay examples and exciting writing prompts!

Nurturing our hobbies can unleash our most creative selves, allowing us to be productive and filled with a satisfying sense of personal achievement. Devoting some time to our hobbies is the best escape from the anxieties and burnout in our academic or professional lives. It can easily brighten a dreary day or a lazy mood. 

However, with our daily grind, many of us fail to have enough time for our daily hobbies. Many instead look forward to weekends when they can afford to while away their hours, be engrossed in what they love doing the most, and leave the world behind. 

Read below our round-up of essay examples and prompts about hobbies to stimulate your motivation to write.

5 Essay Examples About Hobbies

1. people share the hobbies that changed their relationship with work: ‘it has truly been mind blowing’ by faima barker , 2. the modern trap of turning hobbies into hustles by molly conway, 3. is watching tv a hobby an argument settled once and for all by hobbyask, 4. the big impact of a small hobby by john donohue, 5. google’s sergey brin is totally obsessed with high-adrenaline exercise by madeline stone, 9 writing prompts on essays about hobbies, 1. your favorite hobbies, 2. how to make time for your hobbies, 2. most affordable hobbies, 3. why busy people need a hobby, 4. how hobbies cultivate health and wellness, 5. new hobbies to try out, 6. helping children choose  hobbies, 7. sharing similar hobbies with friends or family  , 8. how hobbies build self-esteem, 9. being bullied for your hobbies .

“Hobbies are subjective – one person’s enjoyment might be another person’s idea of boredom – but no matter what brings someone happiness, hobbies and interests outside of work are the ultimate acts of resistance against capitalism.”

Three professionals from different parts of the world share how they have discovered new hobbies during the pandemic. These new finds have allowed productive and mental health breaks from the monotony and burnout of work, changing their lives for the better. 

“What if we allowed ourselves to devote our time and attention to something just because it makes us happy? Or, better yet, because it enables us to truly recharge instead of carving our time into smaller and smaller pieces for someone else’s benefit?”

A woman at a wedding is genuinely proud of her achievement of sewing in pockets on her dress. But that’s only until she realizes she hasn’t made a dime. As hobbies-turned-hustles steadily rise, it offers people a potential doorway to quit their jobs. However, it also dampens how others feel about their hobbies when they don’t commercialize them.

“…The nay-sayers regularly cite television as not being a true hobby because it doesn’t require any creative input or a sense of progress; essentially, you sit back and let the TV do its magic while you enjoy without any thought.”

With obesity and inactivity associated with watching TV, some people refuse to classify the activity as a hobby. They argue that watching TV is not even a productive pursuit. However, as hobbies are defined as things that make us feel relaxed and happy, they can still count as a hobby and could even be mind-challenging as other hobbies if we choose the right content. 

“Drawing had helped me survive another very dark period of my life, earlier. Could it now be helping me to stay healthy?”

A former news editor finds a safe space in drawing again – this time with more regularity after losing a job. Trapped in a dark period, Donohue shares his story of how drawing helps relax his mind, citing several studies to support the mental health benefits one can reap from art activities and hobbies.

“He spent so much time on his various physical activities that his father once asked him if he had chosen any advanced courses of study. ‘Yes, advanced swimming,’ was Brin’s famous response.”

The essay features Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin and puts the spotlight on his love for sports. Gathering observations from Brin’s colleagues and even his trapeze coach, the article inspires people to maintain sports and find new ones to be their hobbies even amidst their busy lives. 

In this essay, talk about how you discovered this hobby. Did you choose it on your own, or is it something your parents encouraged you to do? Next, recollect the happy thoughts you have when doing your hobbies. Then, look at how this positive energy spills over to the other aspects of your life and your outlook on your ambitions. Finally, write about the important life lessons you learned from taking up your hobbies. 

Pursuing your hobbies might seem nearly impossible when you have a loaded schedule. However, even the most organized of us can find challenges in squeezing in some me-time with hobbies. So, try to challenge your readers to strictly give up a few hours a week to commit to what they love doing. Then, encourage them to engage in their hobbies with friends and family who share similar interests to make the most out of their free time.

Essays About Hobbies: Most affordable hobbies

There are several hobbies out there that don’t cost you much but could still be as fun. It would depend mainly on a person’s preference, mindset, and budget. So, list some low-cost hobbies and creative ideas on how people can spend less while getting the best experience out of a hobby. 

Hobbies are the first thing that goes out of the window in the schedule plan of the busiest people. But working too hard for a long duration can create a monotonous life. Workers are left questioning their sense of purpose when this happens and may fall into depression. For your essay, convince your busy readers to spare some time and turn their attention to passion and away from profit. Talk about the more excellent value that can be reaped from the fulfillment of hobbies. 

Research studies have shown that hobbies help us achieve clarity, relaxation, and a recharged mind and body. So, gather a few recent studies enumerating the physiological and mental health benefits of consistently engaging in a hobby. Then, help your readers take the small steps to add their hobbies into their daily or weekly schedule.

Are there passion projects or activities you’ve meant to do but abandoned long ago? It may be a hobby that sparked your interest years ago that you’re reconsidering trying out. Write about what factors first drew you to this hobby and how you intend to try it out. Then, provide your ultimate criteria on how you would know if this hobby suits you well. Finally, encourage people to overcome their fears of attempting something new. 

Encouraging kids to take up their hobbies can help them break away from their long screen time. But, more importantly, hobbies enable children to be productive and hone their mastery of a certain craft early. For this prompt, write down recommendations from child behavior experts on how parents can effectively direct their children’s energy to more worthwhile things such as nurturing a hobby. 

Having common interests can strengthen the bond of friendship and family. Write about hobbies you and your best friend or family members do together. Talk about how often you gather to enjoy your hobbies. Then, reminisce on the most memorable memories you’ve had while doing what you love to do.

Taking part in a hobby gives us the impression and confidence that we can be masters of our craft. Unfortunately, it’s an achievement we often deny in our professional or academic circles, leaving us pressured to push ourselves to our limits. For this prompt, research further on the scientific connection between engaging in hobbies and advancing your self-esteem. 

Some of us have eccentric hobbies that get the attention of bullies. Sadly, because of bullying, many tend to give up these hobbies to find something more “socially acceptable.” Write about how people can focus on doing things that spark joy in them. You might also want to check our guide on essays about bullying to add suggestions on how to stand up against a bully. 

If you’re interested in learning more to improve your writing, check out our essay writing tips ! You can also check our general resource of essay writing topics .

benefits of hobby essay

Yna Lim is a communications specialist currently focused on policy advocacy. In her eight years of writing, she has been exposed to a variety of topics, including cryptocurrency, web hosting, agriculture, marketing, intellectual property, data privacy and international trade. A former journalist in one of the top business papers in the Philippines, Yna is currently pursuing her master's degree in economics and business.

View all posts

benefits of hobby essay

  • SUGGESTED TOPICS
  • The Magazine
  • Newsletters
  • Managing Yourself
  • Managing Teams
  • Work-life Balance
  • The Big Idea
  • Data & Visuals
  • Reading Lists
  • Case Selections
  • HBR Learning
  • Topic Feeds
  • Account Settings
  • Email Preferences

Can Hobbies Actually Make You a Better Person?

  • Kelsey Alpaio

I tried four hobbies to find out what works (and doesn’t).

Ascend logo

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

How much time do you spend on your hobbies? Odds are, it’s not as much time as you’d like. When life gets busy, our hobbies are one of the first things to go out the window. But research shows that taking part in leisure activities can actually have a positive impact on our overall happiness and health. Ascend editor, Kelsey Alpaio, puts this research to the test by trying out four new hobbies: hiking, cooking, journaling, and coloring. Follow along to find out which hobby worked best for her — and which might work for you.

benefits of hobby essay

  • KA Kelsey Alpaio is an Associate Editor at Harvard Business Review. kelseyalpaio

Partner Center

  • Essay Topic Generator
  • Summary Generator
  • Thesis Maker Academic
  • Sentence Rephraser
  • Read My Paper
  • Hypothesis Generator
  • Cover Page Generator
  • Text Compactor
  • Essay Scrambler
  • Essay Plagiarism Checker
  • Hook Generator
  • AI Writing Checker
  • Notes Maker
  • Overnight Essay Writing
  • Topic Ideas
  • Writing Tips
  • Essay Writing (by Genre)
  • Essay Writing (by Topic)

Hobbies Essay: 80 Topics, 2 Examples, & My Hobby Essay Outline

The picture provides introductory information about a hobby essay.

Do you need to write a perfect leisure time essay?

It is an exciting topic – you can write about the things you are genuinely interested in! Try to think about what makes you feel inspired and share it with your readers. We will show you how to prepare a worthy paper in this article. You will find a hobbies essay writing guide, some topics on hobbies, and essay samples in the end.

  • 🗂️ Hobby Essay Writing Guide

🧙 80 Hobby Essay Topics

✅ my hobby essay outline, 📔 hobby essay examples, 🗂️ hobby essay: 3 writing rules.

Here we will give some advice and discuss common mistakes in a “My hobbies” essay.

Follow these rules to prepare your paper wisely.

Essay on Hobbies Rule#1 Choose the Topic

First of all, you need to ensure that the hobby essay title you chose is appropriate to your paper’s length. If it is a short 100-word or 150-word essay, you can pick a simple topic. The longer the paper, the more complex issue you need. It also depends on your level of studies: high school and college paper topics have different requirements.

Your paper might also require some scientific research. In this case, look for a topic on which you can find enough information. Don’t be afraid to change or adjust the focus if you can’t find sufficient materials.

Use our amazing free essay topic generator to get the best topic!

If your instructor gave a list of topics, choose the one that interests you the most. You can also make a shortlist before you pick the most suitable title.

Essay on Hobbies Rule#2 Plan before Writing

Create a list of the essential points of your hobbies essay. Planning is vital as every paper needs a structure. Otherwise, you just might end up worshiping your hobby. This is the number one mistake.

Your outline should consist of three main parts:

  • Introduction. You need to state your topic and describe what the paper is about.
  • Body. Develop your arguments or narrative and provide evidence if necessary.
  • Conclusion. Summarize the information you provided in the previous paragraphs.

Find rare aspects of your hobby. They can include equipment, locations, your achievements, and inspiration, etc.

If your hobby is rather popular, share a unique story connected with it.

Essay on Hobbies Rule#3 Filter What You Say

The first thing you should remember: be as objective as possible. No matter how much you love your hobbies, you better stick to the facts. All the information you provide should be unbiased and reliable.

How can you do it?

  • Make references. Statistics, facts, and all other data will support your statements.
  • Pay attention to vocabulary. You can use jargon and specific terminology as long as it has explanations. Avoid emotional words such as “very,” “terrible,” “awesome.”
  • Don’t use reductions. As for academic writing, it is better to choose full forms.
  • Show opposing points of view. To stay objective, indicate that your ideas have counterarguments.
  • Check English grammar and spelling . Literacy is a must-have for any academic paper.

The picture contains 5 key rules of writing an essay about hobbies.

You can discuss one of these essay topics in your paper:

  • What is the hobby you dream of taking up?
  • Are active or passive hobbies better for children to develop properly ?
  • Woodstock: An important event for those who have music as their hobby .
  • How much time do you devote to your hobbies and interests?
  • Reading as a family hobby .
  • Should a hobby be affordable or require extra spending?
  • Hobbies in ancient Rome: The importance of games and baths .
  • Who or what inspired you to take up a new hobby?
  • What equipment do you need for your hobby?
  • Art as a hobby in the UK: Why it is worth supporting .
  • Is it essential for a person to have a hobby?
  • Is there a childhood hobby that you gave up?
  • Sociology of music: What music means in our life .
  • How many hobbies can a person have?
  • What is your favorite hobby that you genuinely enjoy?
  • Did your parents force you to choose your leisure time activities?
  • What hobbies should you include in your resume?
  • Folk music as a hobby .
  • What is the right age to take up drawing?
  • Gambling as a controversial hobby .
  • Is it possible for a person not to have any hobbies?
  • Sports as a hobby: Fan habits and behaviors on a game day .
  • What is the most important lesson your hobby has taught you?
  • Japanese manga and anime: A popular hobby worldwide .
  • Which hobbies can you take up with a low budget?
  • Rock music as a hobby .
  • What hobby is the most popular in the United States ?
  • How can you define the word “hobby”?
  • Game of Thrones: A proof of why watching TV can be a legitimate hobby .
  • Can singing be your hobby if you are not talented ?
  • When can you say that activity became your hobby?
  • Music as a hobby: Its influence on the mind .
  • Who has the most exciting hobby in your family ?
  • Why do people choose extreme or dangerous hobbies?
  • What are the benefits of reading books?
  • How to help a kid to pick their hobby?
  • Yoga as a stress-reducing hobby .
  • What should you do if you are no longer interested in your hobby?
  • Is it essential to achieve something in your hobby?
  • Music technology: Effects on professional and amateur musicians .
  • Can your hobby become a profession ?
  • How can you define that a hobby is not suitable for you?
  • Graffiti as a hobby and an art form .
  • How to choose your hobby if you are interested in too many things?
  • Is gardening a hobby or a duty?
  • Teenage gaming: Balancing between an innocent hobby and addiction .
  • What free time activities are the most common among high school students ?
  • What is your favorite family free time activity ?
  • Video games: Are they an appropriate hobby for children ?
  • Why do people lose interest in their hobbies over time?
  • What are the differences between sports as a profession and as a hobby?
  • What are the benefits of team sports such as basketball?
  • What hobbies have you already tried?
  • Do you prefer participating in your hobbies alone or with other people?
  • Is gaming an appropriate hobby for the elderly ?
  • What hobbies, in your opinion, are the most expensive?
  • Violent video games: A hobby causing behavior problems .
  • Did you enjoy your hobby when you first tried it?
  • Music, media, and culture: Influence on behavior .
  • How can a hobby be helpful in your career ?
  • Video games as a hobby producing cognitive benefits .
  • Is volunteering an unpaid job or a hobby?
  • Music as a hobby: Personality traits and music preferences .
  • Have your hobbies ever interfered with your studies ?
  • Toys and games as important activities for children’s gender socialization .
  • What hobbies are harmful to human health ?
  • Online games: Are they a suitable hobby for children or adults ?
  • Is taking up a new hobby stressful for you?
  • The importance of music as a hobby .
  • How much money do you spend on your hobby?
  • Video games: A hobby with controversial effects .
  • Do you want to devote more time to your hobby?
  • Hip hop music as a hobby .
  • Have you ever inspired anyone to take up your hobby?
  • Music as a popular hoppy among Americans .
  • How do your hobbies help you in life?
  • Heavy metal music as a hobby: Gender differences .
  • Who is your role model in your hobby?
  • Leisure satisfaction in school teachers in Taiwan .
  • Does sharing a hobby make people better friends ?

Writing an essay about your hobby is so exciting! If you don’t know where to start or how to organize your ideas, consider the following outline we’ve prepared to guide you.

And here are some short hobby essay examples for you. Read them to find inspiration. Pay attention to the structure and use them as a reference to your paper.

Let’s start!

Free Time Activities Essay

Each person needs to change their activities. If you have a sedentary job or study a lot, it is great to do some sports. If you move too much, you can enjoy reading a book in a quiet place. People need free time activities to make their lifestyle more enjoyable, healthy and get to know themselves better. First of all, having a hobby creates new experiences for you. Any kind of free time activity develops new skills and teaches you something new. It is excellent to know that you do something for yourself just for pleasure and new emotions. You can also find new friends, visit new places, and participate in events just because you have a hobby. For example, you like running. You can do it alone or join a local community. There are also plenty of amateur competitions that take place in different locations. Hobbies are beneficial for both your mental and physical health. They help you to keep your life in balance. Lacking movement in your daily life means you can compensate for it with sports. If you work from home and don’t communicate with people, you can sign up for group classes. Also, hobbies that require effort make your character more vigorous and more resistant to difficulties. When you spend your free time the way you like it, you become more self-aware. Knowing yourself means that you discover your strengths and weaknesses and understand your preferences better. You know what you are capable of now and what you need to learn to do. It is great to have a hobby to participate in different activities and enrich your life experience with new skills, places, and people. Hobbies also keep you healthy. Free-time activities are crucial for understanding your self-worth, motivations, and strong and weak spots.

My Favorite Hobby Essay

As for a high school student, my hobby might seem untypical. I design custom clothes for my family and peers. I am a seventeen-year-old boy who knows how to sew an evening dress for my mother or to create a tailored suit for any event. I chose this hobby as I was always interested in fashion, I am good at drawing and sketching, and my progress motivates me. It was always curious looking at people on the street when I was a kid. I noticed patterns, silhouettes, and various combinations. I knew some were good, some didn’t suit people, and some were just outdated. That was the moment when I started to notice the difference between fashion and style. Later, I watched fashion shows and educational YouTube videos. It is my dream to own a fashion brand, so I also paid attention to the business part of the process. Sketching clothes is the first step to their creation. I am a good drawer, so there is no problem showing all of my design ideas on paper. You just need a lot of practice. I needed to hone my skills to make proportions and colors seem as natural as possible. I also try to memorize how people look and draw them when I have an opportunity. I own more than twenty sketchbooks full of ideas and inspiration. The more ideas I generate, the easier it becomes. When I see my old sketches or pieces of clothing that I created, I can notice how much I’ve improved. Hard work and knowledge can make your goals achievable. If I don’t know something, I just search for it on the Internet and try it. Maybe you will need to try more than once, but eventually, I can see the result I want. Fashion is one of my greatest passions. That is why I never hesitate to spend some extra money or effort to create something new. I never regretted choosing fashion over any other hobbies because I always knew I was doing what was suitable for me. I know I developed my taste, drawing skills, and persistence because of this hobby. I hope one day it becomes a profession. My dream is to use all my skills and knowledge to create something people will like to wear.

71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Need to write a hobby essay? Looking for a catchy topic? Hobby essay titles of all kinds are collected in this article!

✍️ Thesis Statement about Hobbies

🏆 best hobby topic ideas & essay examples, 📌 most interesting hobby essay topics, 👍 hobby topic ideas for research papers, ❓ hobby related questions.

In this article, we’ve collected 45 hobby topic ideas for essays and research papers. They are suitable for college as well as high school students. You will also find here plenty of samples to help kickstart your writing.

When writing a hobby essay, you need to pay particular attention to your thesis statement. A good thesis should include all the main points of your essay. To make this task easier for you, we’ve prepared some examples of thesis statements about hobbies. Have a look:

  • Dancing is an excellent hobby for college students because it helps to relieve stress and has numerous health benefits.
  • Drawing is beneficial for children because it helps them develop their creativity and fine motor skills.
  • Traveling as a hobby allows people to broaden their horizons and learn about other cultures.
  • Singing as a Hobby and Way of Self-Expression I need to have a source of relaxation and nonchalance during my studies, and singing is great for letting me do my things without any tension.
  • Writings About Hobby – Home Brewing Beer Commercially available beer is expensive to purchase as a result of various taxes and the need of profits by the beer makers.
  • Power of Hobby vs. Necessity of Commitment in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity The ideas of “top ten” and the “top five” are not usual for describing the relations between a man and a woman, still, they prove that the character has not traditional approaches, and his standpoints […]
  • Skateboarding Not Just A Hobby A Lifestyle
  • Young Lady Battle Of Boxing As An Awesome American Hobby
  • Is Your Hobby Helping Or Hindering Your Family Life
  • Video Games : A Becoming A Lifelong Hobby
  • An Analysis of Sports Memorabilia as a True Hobby
  • Turning Your Hobby Into An eBay Business
  • Woodworking For Fun And Profit Is A Great Hobby
  • How Selecting a Best Hobby For You Is Going To Change Your Life
  • Travelling Is a Good Hobby That Everyone Should Cultivate
  • Exploring The Hobby Of Photography
  • Violent Video Games: Children’s Dangerous Hobby
  • The Importance Of The Collectible Hobby Industry
  • Hobby Farms and British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Reserve
  • An Analysis of the Baseball Sport as a Hobby
  • Is Your eBay Activity A Business Or A Hobby
  • William Golding ‘s Thinking As A Hobby
  • Is Your Online Business A Hobby Or A Real Business
  • Walking Sticks A Money Making Hobby
  • The Political Background Of Hobby
  • My Hobby of Volunteering at Care Centers
  • Making Candles A Fun Hobby Or Craft
  • Radio Controlled Cars A Fun Hobby For All Ages
  • Hobby: Nutrition and Black Bean Curd
  • The Importance Of Dancing As A Hobby
  • Turn Your Scrapbooking Hobby Into A Profitable Business
  • Benefits of Pursuing a Hobby
  • An Analysis of the Words Knowledge and Intelligence in William Golding’s Article Thinking as a Hobby
  • An Analysis of Important Steps in Order to Be Successful in the World of RCA Hobby
  • Why You Should Take Up A Physical Hobby
  • Thinking as a Hobby Written by William Golding
  • The Coin Collecting Hobby Industry
  • Coin Collecting When Hobby Turns Business
  • Photography Is Just A Hobby Or A Business
  • Distinguishing a Business from a Hobby
  • Starting A Hobby In Art Collectibles
  • World Building: A Fun and Creative Hobby
  • Squash From Hobby To Performance
  • Identifying Talented People – Mental and Physical Proof of Talent, Predisposition to a Hobby
  • The Reimbursement Limitation Of Hobby Lobby
  • Travelling As A Common Hobby
  • The Importance of Pursuing a Hobby in Your Life
  • The Hobby Of Stamp Collecting
  • An Analysis of the Hobby of Fish Keeping and the Methods for the Fish Preservation
  • How Does Hobby Help Kids Avoid Dangerous Situations?
  • What Is the Oldest Hobby in the World?
  • Do Hobbies Change With Age?
  • What Hobbies Do Royalty Have?
  • What Are the Best Hobbies for Cognitive Function and Stress Release?
  • Is Coin Collecting a Profitable Hobby?
  • What Hobbies Are Good for Depression?
  • Do Hobbies Help You Live Longer?
  • What Is the Hardest Hobby in the World?
  • Is Watching TV a Hobby?
  • What Is the Most Valuable Hobby?
  • Why Is Coin Collecting a Good Hobby?
  • How Can Hobbies Change Your Life?
  • Why Are Hobbies and Interests Important for Development?
  • What Is the Best Hobby to Develop?
  • How Do Hobbies Benefit Family?
  • What Hobbies Do People Spend the Most On?
  • How Can Hobbies Improve Self-Confidence?
  • Is Coin Collecting a Dying Hobby?
  • What Hobby Is Good for Mental Health?
  • How Can Hobbies Reduce Stress?
  • What Was the Hobby of the First King?
  • What Hobbies Are Good for Socializing?
  • Can Hobbies Improve Your Personal Skills?
  • What Is the Importance of Hobbies in Education?
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 29). 71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hobby-essay-examples/

"71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 29 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hobby-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 29 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hobby-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hobby-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 29, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/hobby-essay-examples/.

  • Activist Essay Titles
  • Meaning of Life Essay Ideas
  • This I Believe Research Ideas
  • Dreaming Essay Titles
  • Entertainment Ideas
  • Internet Research Ideas
  • Work-Life Balance Essay Titles
  • Music Topics
  • Career Development Topics
  • Dance Essay Ideas
  • Photography Essay Topics
  • Talent Management Questions
  • Wellness Essay Topics
  • Health Promotion Research Topics
  • Video Game Topics

Columbia College Calgary

  • Search Search

College Life

Life of a student: the importance of having a hobby.

Benefits of having a hobby

  • Categories College Life
  • Date December 12, 2018

Hobbies help us grow as a person. The best way to have a new hobby is to try something new. All of us are unique, and this is the reason why our hobbies and interests are different. Once we find an activity we are passionate about, we can explore that activity more. When you get hooked, you will realize that your hobby has become an integral part of your life. Having a hobby that we enjoy brings us joy and refreshes us. Hobbies help us to manage our leisure and unplanned time more productively. It also affords you the opportunity to learn new skills in your work. But these are not the only benefits of having a hobby.

Increases Confidence

It feels great to be skilled and good at something, doesn’t it? And this is what that makes you confident. It can take some time to develop your hobby so that you may be able to tell that you are skilled. But, the journey of experiencing your hobby is very rewarding in itself. With the exposure to different types of activities these days, it doesn’t matter which activity you choose. Whether you are pursuing a craft, sports, puzzles, or skill development, your hobby should be a diversion and a passion. Simultaneously, if your hobby gives you a sense of purpose, then you will be more confident about challenging yourself in your hobby and help you prepare for learning new things at work.

Allows You to De-stress

Hobbies give you an opportunity to enhance your life. Hobbies allow you to destress yourself while remaining mentally productive. Having hobbies promotes better health and may lower the risk of having high blood pressure. Enjoying a few hours of your hobby a week can also  reduce the risk of depression  and dementia.  Hobbies refocus your mind on to something that you enjoy doing. Hobbies that include physical activities create chemical changes in your body that help to reduce stress. Even if it doesn’t involve physical activities, you can still reap the benefits of having a hobby. Getting a short break from work and doing something you are passionate about can rejuvenate your mind and help prepare you to handle challenges in the future in a better way.

Helps You Socialize

Hobbies may provide an opportunity for you to socialize with people and that can be an additional benefit for your overall well-being. You can connect with people who enjoy doing the same things that you do. You can meet new people, discuss your hobby and get connected to a bigger circle that may even help you turn your hobby into your profession. The internet provides numerous groups and forums to connect with people that enjoy doing the same things that you want to do.

Enhances Your Creativity

Some hobbies require creativity and if you develop creativity through your hobby, it can be beneficial. Creativity can help you experience new things at school and work. The skill of being creative is essential in today’s world.

Hobbies create a positive impact both on your personal and professional life. You know what else does? A  good Canadian college education! Enjoy the benefits of having a hobby and a career-oriented professional course at Columbia College, and get ready to take on the world.

User Avatar

Previous post

Career Prospects for Human Services Students

4 tips to keep the student bills low, you may also like.

Spring Scholarships and Bursaries

4 Scholarship and Bursary Opportunities to Kickstart Your Education

Focus on For Your Health

Three Areas to Focus on For Your Health This Year

Career College

Why a Career College Can Be the Best Pathway to Success

Columbia College Calgary

We use cookies on our website to enhance your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. By clicking "Accept" you consent to our use of cookies. 

benefits of hobby essay

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. Take the first step today

Here’s your new year gift, one app for all your, study abroad needs, start your journey, track your progress, grow with the community and so much more.

benefits of hobby essay

Verification Code

An OTP has been sent to your registered mobile no. Please verify

benefits of hobby essay

Thanks for your comment !

Our team will review it before it's shown to our readers.

benefits of hobby essay

Essay on My Hobby

' src=

  • Updated on  
  • Mar 16, 2023

How to Write a Winning Essay on My Hobby

Having a meaningful hobby is an integral part of human life. Taking out a few moments in your busy life to pursue your hobby which genuinely satisfies you will make your life more stress-free. There might be many instances in life where people would like to know more about your hobby. You can refer to this blog on such occasions where you need to explain your hobby in detail in the form of essays. Essay writing is an integral part of the English subject. Mastering the skill of essay writing is not easy but can be perfected over time through practice. This blog explores what an essay on my hobby is, how to write it, valuable tips and sample essays on my hobby!

This Blog Includes:

What is an essay on my hobby, how to write an essay on my hobby, sample essay in 100 words, sample essay in 200 words, sample essay in 500 words, tips for writing an essay on my hobby .

An essay on ‘my hobby’ gives the admission committee insight into your life and you as a person. It shows them how your interests and hobbies have a role in your life and how much of a creative and intellectual person you are, apart from your academic excellence. It also gives a clear view of your skills and values. So it is important that you curate an essay that helps to sway the admission committee in your favour and make you stand out from the rest of the candidates. 

Also Read: Essay on Human Rights

Start by choosing which hobbies you are going to talk about in the essay. You can choose to list several different hobbies and you can only focus on one. The key is to be true and not make up your hobbies. Your hobbies are a description of your personality. In your essay, you can start by stating what your hobby is followed by how your love for that hobby originated, what inspired you to take up that hobby and how it helps you emotionally. Describe how it helped you develop new skills or helped in certain life situations and helped you become a better person. You can also describe the impact it had on somebody else, like suppose you love nature, so you planted trees which in turn helped the environment or how you like to do social work and helped a homeless shelter. This way, through the essay, a person can understand your values, your vision and your character. 

Also Read: Essay on Disaster Management

A hobby is an activity that one loves to do in free time with passion and dedication. A hobby is a recreation that brings about personal pleasure and amusement. It is an interesting pursuit which we adopt as an occupation for our free time. It enables a  person to find some soothing work that can relax the mind and soul. I have a variety of different hobbies. As an active sociable individual, I enjoy staying fit and going to the gym. I also like to keep my commercial awareness up to date and enjoy reading the Financial Times. I enjoy meeting new people, and I am also part of a fundraising committee for a charity called the St Matthew’s Children.

Also Read: Essay on Pollution

Check out this 200-word sample essay on my hobby.

A hobby is work which a person does with much satisfaction and amusement. It is a kind of recreation, a shadow from the scorching beam of the sun and also getting fruit from it. I have been interested in gardening since my childhood. I like to see the green velvety grass, different colours of flowers and beautiful plants. So, I have selected a piece of land in my house and planted different kinds of flowers. I have planted a red rose, yellow and black rose plants and have arranged them one after another. The flowers of -Night Queen”, “Jasmine” and “King of the day” have filled the atmosphere with attractive fragrance. In the evening my family spend their time in the garden. I have also planted Guava and Neem trees, which give shade from the scorching beam and also get fruit from it. I have also reserved a piece of land for growing vegetables and getting different seasonal vegetables. Though gardening is hard work and expensive, the hard labour makes my health sound and we get fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers.

Also Read: Essay on Child Labour

Here is a sample essay on my hobby that students can refer to.

Routine work makes us monotonous. To break it we often look for interesting and exciting things to do. Hobbies are the best way to divert attention side by side with work. We need entertainment from time to time. At such times a good hobby is very useful. Hobbies provide recreation. They entertain us and at the same time are valuable in the sense that they develop a personality.

My hobby is singing. People often resort to gardening, reading, stamp collecting, bird watching, etc. However, I love to listen to music and also to sing. I have a large collection of tapes and I listen to all kinds of music. My collection ranges from classical music to Rock and from Indian music to the Western one. My hobby is to listen to these songs carefully and then to learn them. I sit with a paper and a pen and write down the lyrics of the songs that I hear. Then I hum along and soon I know the tunes too.

I switch the tape recorder off and then I pretend to be the singer myself. I sing the song exactly the way it was sung by the playback singer. I succeed at times and sometimes fail. Once I feel that I have begun to sing perfectly I tape my own voice. When I listen to the recording I listen objectively and try to locate my faults in singing. This helps me to improve on my singing and I find that also helps me to use my talent to my advantage.

Whenever I go to a party, my friends persuade me to sing. Once I begin, the party livens up, people join in and the place is filled with the sound of music. I feel proud of myself and my friends also praise me because they feel that I become the life of the party. I play the guitar and sing when we go on a picnic or when I have a free period in school.

My hobby makes me happy and also brings joy to all my relatives and friends. It is necessary that everybody must have some hobby. It educates man, gives him pleasure, and helps him to utilize his free time fruitfully. If a person has no hobby, his spare time will turn him into a useless, irritated and restless person. “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop”. It is, therefore, essential to remain busy even during leisure hours. Hobbies always come to one’s help.

Also Read: Essay on Women Empowerment

Here are some tips you should keep in mind while writing an essay on my hobby:

Essay on My Hobby

Lastly, we hope this blog has helped you in structuring a terrific essay on your hobby. In case you have other queries regarding study abroad options and college applications, our experts at Leverage Edu are here to help you through the entire process.

' src=

Sonal is a creative, enthusiastic writer and editor who has worked extensively for the Study Abroad domain. She splits her time between shooting fun insta reels and learning new tools for content marketing. If she is missing from her desk, you can find her with a group of people cracking silly jokes or petting neighbourhood dogs.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Contact no. *

browse success stories

Leaving already?

8 Universities with higher ROI than IITs and IIMs

Grab this one-time opportunity to download this ebook

Connect With Us

25,000+ students realised their study abroad dream with us. take the first step today..

benefits of hobby essay

Resend OTP in

benefits of hobby essay

Need help with?

Study abroad.

UK, Canada, US & More

IELTS, GRE, GMAT & More

Scholarship, Loans & Forex

Country Preference

New Zealand

Which English test are you planning to take?

Which academic test are you planning to take.

Not Sure yet

When are you planning to take the exam?

Already booked my exam slot

Within 2 Months

Want to learn about the test

Which Degree do you wish to pursue?

When do you want to start studying abroad.

September 2024

January 2025

What is your budget to study abroad?

benefits of hobby essay

How would you describe this article ?

Please rate this article

We would like to hear more.

Pitchgrade

Presentations made painless

  • Get Premium

113 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Hobbies are an important part of our lives, as they give us a break from our daily routines and allow us to explore our interests and passions. Whether you enjoy painting, gardening, cooking, or any other activity, hobbies are a great way to relax and unwind.

If you're looking for some inspiration for a new hobby or want to explore different ideas, here are 113 hobby essay topic ideas and examples to get you started:

  • Gardening: Why gardening is a therapeutic hobby
  • Cooking: The joy of experimenting with new recipes
  • Painting: How painting can be a form of self-expression
  • Photography: Capturing moments and memories through photography
  • Writing: The power of storytelling and writing as a hobby
  • Knitting: The benefits of knitting for mental health
  • DIY crafts: Creating handmade crafts as a hobby
  • Yoga: The physical and mental benefits of practicing yoga
  • Hiking: Exploring nature and staying active through hiking
  • Bird watching: The art of bird watching and its calming effects
  • Traveling: How traveling can be a hobby and a passion
  • Reading: The joy of getting lost in a good book
  • Playing an instrument: The benefits of learning to play an instrument
  • Scrapbooking: Preserving memories through scrapbooking
  • Pottery: The art of creating pottery and ceramics
  • Fishing: The relaxation and tranquility of fishing as a hobby
  • Baking: The joy of baking and sharing homemade treats
  • Calligraphy: The beauty and artistry of calligraphy
  • Woodworking: Creating handmade furniture and crafts from wood
  • Sewing: The satisfaction of creating your own clothes and crafts
  • Meditation: The mental and emotional benefits of meditation as a hobby
  • Horseback riding: The thrill and excitement of horseback riding
  • Collecting: The joy of collecting stamps, coins, or other items
  • Running: The physical and mental benefits of running as a hobby
  • Volunteering: Giving back to the community through volunteering
  • Model building: The precision and patience required for model building
  • Astronomy: Exploring the stars and planets through astronomy
  • Board games: The fun and social aspect of playing board games
  • Gardening: How gardening can be a sustainable and eco-friendly hobby
  • Home brewing: The art of brewing your own beer or wine
  • Beekeeping: The importance of beekeeping and its benefits
  • Martial arts: The discipline and physical fitness of practicing martial arts
  • Geocaching: The thrill of treasure hunting through geocaching
  • Stand-up comedy: The art of making people laugh through stand-up comedy
  • Painting: The therapeutic benefits of painting as a hobby
  • DIY home decor: Creating personalized home decor items
  • Photography: The art of capturing moments and memories through photography
  • Knitting: The relaxation and creativity of knitting as a hobby
  • Pottery: The satisfaction of creating handmade pottery
  • Gardening: The joy of growing your own fruits and vegetables
  • Cooking: The pleasure of cooking and trying new recipes
  • Traveling: The excitement of exploring new places and cultures
  • Playing an instrument: The satisfaction of creating music
  • Sewing: The creativity of designing and sewing your own clothes
  • Meditation: The relaxation and mindfulness of meditation
  • Astronomy: The wonder of exploring the universe through astronomy
  • Bird watching: The beauty of observing and identifying birds
  • Fishing: The tranquility and patience of fishing
  • Baking: The pleasure of baking and sharing delicious treats
  • Model building: The precision and detail of building models
  • Stand-up comedy: The humor and creativity of performing stand-up comedy
  • DIY crafts: The satisfaction of creating handmade crafts
  • Woodworking: The skill and creativity of woodworking
  • Beekeeping: The importance of bees and the art of beekeeping
  • Home brewing: The creativity and science of brewing your own beer or wine
  • Volunteering: The satisfaction of giving back to the community
  • Collecting: The joy of collecting and preserving items
  • Running: The physical

Want to create a presentation now?

Instantly Create A Deck

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Hassle Free

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2023 Pitchgrade

CAE -MELBOURNE’S #1 CHOICE FOR SHORT COURSES, LANGUAGES & BOOK GROUPS

Five Benefits of Having a Hobby

In our modern life, it is easy to forget to take some time out while juggling family commitments with a 9-5 job. As research shows, having a healthy mind is linked to having a healthy body.

Hobbies aren’t just about fun and games, they range from discussing your latest book to baking the perfect brioche. Regardless of your hobby, it can have great benefits for your mind, body, social life and even your career.

Hobbies force you to take some time for yourself

Hobbies force you to take a break from your day-to-day stresses and carve out time to devote to yourself. Not all hobbies are play though – some hobbies like reading, writing, designing or learning a new language can keep you productive and instil you with a sense of purpose while having fun. And the more time you devote to become immersed in your hobby, the more satisfaction and sense of achievement you can get out of it.

shutterstock_560150095

Hobbies provide a way to declutter your mind

Hobbies can keep you in the moment, taking your mind away from stressful thoughts and focusing on an activity you enjoy. While not all hobbies offer the same level of mental or physical engagement, hobbies help you practice mindfulness techniques without even realising it. Some of the more popular hobbies for decluttering your mind include meditation, knitting, sewing, painting, drawing and cooking.

Hobbies keep you in better physical health

Physical hobbies can be a great way to keep in shape. Hobbies such as gardening, hiking, dancing, yoga, sports or fitness can keep us active without the feeling of an obligatory trip to the gym. Turning exercise into a hobby will also have flow-on effects from increased confidence, increased energy levels and an overall increase in your physical health.

Hobbies can open up your world

Hobbies can encourage you to stretch the limits of your imagination, see the world in a new way or provide you with the mental space to come up with great ideas. When you devote yourself to a hobby, you take on new challenges that motivate you to learn new ways to improve. Hobbies not only satisfy a curious mind, but can also put you in touch with a completely new community of people, allowing you to broaden your experiences and your social life.

shutterstock_560150095

Hobbies can boost your career

Hobbies can also help you boost your career. Facebook founder and hobby advocate Mark Zuckerberg makes a point to ask any prospective employees about their hobbies. Zuckerberg claims that hobbies and side projects are one of the best ways for people to show passion and leadership in their professional lives. Hobbies don’t just enable you to be multi-skilled, they can also help you better manage stress and to think creatively at work. Certain hobbies can also help you bring in additional income, maybe even turn into a full-time job or new business enterprise – remember, Facebook started out as a hobby!

The benefits for each hobby will differ depending on what devote your time to and how much passion you put into it. But one thing is for certain, hobbies can have several benefits that will help you in the short and long term. If you’re after some inspiration for your next hobby, why not browse our full range of short courses ?

Find A Short Course

Logo

Essay on My Favourite Hobby

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Favourite Hobby in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Favourite Hobby

Introduction.

Everyone has a hobby that brings joy. My favourite hobby is reading books.

Why Reading?

Reading helps me explore new worlds. It improves my vocabulary and language skills.

Types of Books

I love all types of books, but fantasy and science fiction are my favourites.

Reading not only entertains but also educates. It enhances creativity and imagination.

Reading books is a hobby that I cherish. It’s a journey of learning and enjoyment.

250 Words Essay on My Favourite Hobby

Hobbies are a critical part of our lives, serving as an escape from the daily grind and offering a chance to explore our passions. Among my myriad interests, reading stands out as my favourite hobby. It’s not merely an activity but a journey into different worlds, cultures, and minds.

The Allure of Reading

Reading, to me, is an immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of reality. It allows me to live thousands of lives, learn from the wisdom of great minds, and explore the depth of human emotions. The magic of words woven into stories or facts has an enchanting quality that captivates my imagination and stimulates my intellect.

Empowerment through Reading

Reading is not just an entertaining pastime but also a powerful tool for personal growth. It imparts knowledge, enhances vocabulary, and improves cognitive abilities. Whether it’s a thought-provoking novel, a scientific journal, or a philosophical treatise, each piece of literature contributes to my understanding of the world and self.

Reading and Empathy

One underrated aspect of reading is its ability to foster empathy. By stepping into the shoes of various characters, I gain insights into different perspectives, experiences, and cultures. This has helped me become more understanding and respectful of differences in real life.

In conclusion, reading as a hobby offers a plethora of benefits, from intellectual enrichment to emotional growth. Amidst the fast-paced digital age, it serves as a serene refuge, a source of wisdom, and a catalyst for empathy. As a college student, I believe it’s an invaluable hobby that enhances not just academic prowess but also personal development.

500 Words Essay on My Favourite Hobby

Every individual has a hobby, a pursuit outside their regular work, which they engage in for relaxation and pleasure. My favourite hobby is reading, a pastime that has not only entertained me but also enriched my life in many ways.

In this digital age, where information is predominantly consumed through screens, one might wonder why reading is my favourite hobby. The answer is simple; reading provides a unique form of escapism. It allows me to traverse through different worlds, cultures, and perspectives, all while sitting in my favourite armchair. It’s like having a conversation with the greatest minds that ever existed, learning their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

Reading: A Gateway to Empathy

Reading is not just about escapism; it’s a journey into the minds of others. It fosters empathy, a trait that is increasingly important in our diverse and interconnected world. By reading about characters from different backgrounds and cultures, I can understand their feelings, motivations, and challenges. This understanding has made me more empathetic and accepting of people in real life.

The Cognitive Benefits of Reading

Reading is also a powerful tool for cognitive enhancement. It improves vocabulary, language skills, and general knowledge, making me a more articulate communicator. The mental stimulation from reading can slow cognitive decline, keeping the brain healthy and active.

Reading as a Source of Inspiration

Reading has been a constant source of inspiration for me. The stories I read often stir up ideas and thoughts that influence my own life. They encourage me to question, to imagine, and to strive for better. The wisdom imparted through books has guided me in making important life decisions.

In conclusion, reading is my favourite hobby because it provides entertainment, fosters empathy, enhances cognitive abilities, and serves as a source of inspiration. It is a hobby that requires nothing but a book and a bit of time, yet it offers immense benefits. In the words of George R.R. Martin, “A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” In my case, I have lived countless lives, visited numerous places, and experienced a multitude of emotions, all through the pages of books.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

  • Essay on Importance of Spending Time With Family
  • Essay on Picnic With Family
  • Essay on Vacation With Family

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Phone: +91 8466016171
  • Whatsapp: +91 8208375580
  • Email: contact@leapscholar.com

IELTS Essay On Hobbies: IELTS Writing Task 2 Hobbies Essay Samples

  • Updated On December 12, 2023
  • Published In IELTS Preparation 💻

‘Hobbies’ is one of the most common themes in the IELTS Writing Task 2 as well as in the Speaking section of this English language proficiency test. This is a seemingly easy topic and does not pose many difficulties for students taking the exam.

Table of Contents

The kind of questions that you can primarily expect for the hobbies theme in the IELTS essay writing task should be opinion-based questions. These questions will first give you a statement and then ask you to give your opinion on it with the help of supporting examples for each reason or opinion you give.

How to Write a High Band IELTS Essay on Hobbies

To score an excellent band in the hobbies essay IELTS poses, follow the below-mentioned tips:

  • Inculcate strong vocabulary, and make sure your sentences are perfectly structured.
  • Provide good examples for each reason or supporting argument that you present. Whenever possible, follow this pattern: topic sentence for paragraph giving a good idea about the reason you are stating, followed by a brief explanation, then an example, and finally wrapping it up with a concluding sentence.
  • Manage your time well so that you have some spare time in the end to proofread your essay and correct any mistakes.

What sets apart a high band essay from a relatively low scoring essay is the overall structure of the essay, how you have linked one paragraph with the other, your vocabulary and grammar, and the quality of examples you have provided. So, make sure to work on each aspect before sitting for the final exam.

Crack IELTS Exam in first attempt

Attend Leap’s free masterclass to get tips, tricks and advance strategies to crack IELTS exam in first attempt

IELTS Essay On Hobbies: IELTS Writing Task 2 Hobbies Essay Samples

Sample Answers

Here are two sample answers that will guide you on getting a high band score in the hobbies theme essay for IELTS Writing Task 2.

Question: Few people devote time to hobbies these days. Why do you think this is the case, and what effect does this have on an individual and society in general? You should spend around 40 minutes on this task and write at least 250 words in the essay.

IELTS Essay On Hobbies: IELTS Writing Task 2 Hobbies Essay Samples

Answer: Nowadays, there are only a handful of people who pursue a hobby with due diligence. In my opinion, this is not a positive development and can have many disadvantages for the individual and society in general. Leisure activities can be the much-needed relief from the bursts of high-level energy to cope with today’s highly competitive world. They not only keep you fit and healthy but also contribute towards society’s development. The paucity of time and introduction of alternative means of spending one’s free time are the top two causes for the declining number of people engaging in hobbies today. Demanding jobs and a tough education system make it harder for people to take time out and engage in recreational activities like gardening, dancing, yoga, etc. Additionally, with the new streaming platforms, social media applications, and online gaming communities, people often find themselves on the internet in their spare time rather than stepping out for some simple hobbies. The surge in demand for data and the rising number of online users serve as testament to this statement. With the absence of physical activities comes direct and latent consequences like deteriorating physical health leading to issues like obesity and declining mental health as a result of feeling alienated from society. The individual and the society suffer on account of these effects on physical health, mental health, and community building. For instance, as people increasingly choose the company of their smartphones over their friends and other members of society, they feel increasingly alone and start getting out of shape, as observed by some social scientists at the University of Los Angeles. To conclude, not interacting with others while engaging in hobbies has had a rather negative impact on individuals and society consequently. People should thus be encouraged to step out more and participate in various hobbies within their community to ensure they are in good health and instill in them a strong sense of belonging for the society.

Question: Some people are of the view that hobbies need to be difficult for people to be able to enjoy them well. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the above statement? Write your answer with a minimum of 250 words and give relevant examples.

Answer: While some hobbies are fairly easy to pursue, others are more difficult to perform and pose a challenge for the individual. However, in my view, it is wrong to establish a correlation between the level of difficulty in performing a leisure activity and the enjoyment (or the recreation value) derived from that hobby. Some people truly find pleasure in easy hobbies like swimming. Such activities do not require a very high level of expertise to perform them and can be completed without putting a lot of strain on their physical health. However, that does not mean that swimmers do not like the activity as much. Another example of such hobbies can be people who like to go bird-watching. This is not a difficult hobby per se, but it still serves the purpose of recreation for the individual partaking in it. In contrast, sometimes, more challenging and difficult hobbies can be thrilling. These hobbies can be more rewarding and more satisfying in the end because the person goes through more challenges to reach the endpoint. For instance, video editing and filmmaking are two rather challenging hobbies that can be very rewarding for some people and, thus, more enjoyable. Therefore, in conclusion, I believe that both kinds of hobbies, easy and difficult, can be pleasurable for an individual depending on their preferences. Hence, it is wrong to state that one type of hobby is more enjoyable than the other simply because it is more challenging. The hobbies essay IELTS often presents can be very easy to tackle and should be written in coherence with the statement given and the question asked. However, to score a good band, you should follow a well-structured format like the ones given above in the sample answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do i get >7.5 in ielts writing.

Ans: To get a high band score in writing, you should  practice  writing regularly and figure out certain formats with which you feel the most comfortable in writing an essay. After you’ve figured out certain formats, try to answer as many common questions as you can.

2. What are the most common essay questions in IELTS?

Ans: Some of the most common essay questions for IELTS are based on themes like fossil fuels, global warming,  society , etc. The questions here can be opinion-based or description based (where you don’t give an opinion and simply describe what is asked).

Know more about IELTS

Get free speaking practice samples.

  • Describe a Skill That you can teach other people
  • Describe a Place you Visited Where the Air was Polluted
  • Describe a Famous Person that you are Interested in
  • Describe a Course That You Want to Learn
  • Describe a Person who Solved a Problem in Smart Way
  • Describe a Prize That You Received
  • Describe a Volunteering Experience You Have Had
  • Describe a Piece of Good News
  • Describe Something you Taught to Your Friend
  • Talk About an Interesting Old Person you Met Recently
  • Describe a Dinner you Really Enjoyed
  • Describe a Story or Novel That Was Interesting to You
  • Describe a Time When you Shared Something with Others
  • Describe a Toy you Liked in Childhood
  • Describe an Interesting Neighbour
  • Describe a Competition You Would Like to Take Part In
  • Describe an interesting activity that you remember enjoying most in your Primary School
  • Describe Your Childhood Friend
  • Describe an Object You Find Particularly Beautiful
  • Describe a Place Where you are Able to Relax
  • Describe a person you know who likes to talk a lot
  • Describe a place where you would like to go to relax
  • Describe a period when you were busy
  • Describe a long-term goal you would like to achieve
  • Describe a situation when you helped someone
  • Describe a job you would not like to do in the future
  • Describe a time when you used a map
  • Describe a skill that you learned in your childhood
  • Describe an unusual holiday you had
  • Describe an exciting activity that you experienced with someone else
  • Describe a person who is good at making people feel welcome in his/her home
  • Describe A Time You Successfully Did Something Difficult
  • Describe Something in Your Country That You Are Interested In
  • Describe a Beautiful City
  • Describe something you do regularly that helps you work and study better
  • Describe a photo that you took and are proud of
  • Describe a party that you enjoyed
  • Describe a useful object in your home that you can’t live without
  • Describe a good advertisement that you think is useful
  • Describe an occasion when someone or something made noise
  • Describe a sportsperson that you admire
  • Describe something that you picked up that was thrown by someone else
  • Describe a time that something changed your life in good ways
  • Describe a successful person who you once studied or worked with

Get Free Reading Practice Samples

  • William henry perkin reading answers
  • Why zoos are good reading answers
  • Bioluminescence reading answers
  • Classifying societies reading answers
  • Artificial artists reading answers
  • Jargon reading answers
  • The Origins of Laughter Reading Answers
  • The Innovation of Grocery Stores Reading Answers
  • All About the Otter Reading Answers
  • The Triune Brain Reading Answers
  • Saving the Soil Reading Answers
  • Trans Fatty Acids Reading Answers
  • A Disaster of Titanic Proportions Reading Answers
  • Why Companies Should Welcome Disorder Reading Answers
  • Book Review Reading Answers
  • Tea Times Reading Answers
  • Why are Finland's Schools Successful Reading Answers
  • Intelligence and Giftedness Reading Answers
  • Animal Minds Parrot Alex Reading Answers
  • Crop Growing Skyscrapers Reading Answers
  • Secrets of the Swarm Reading Answers
  • Walking with Dinosaurs Reading Answers
  • The Development of Travel Under the Ocean Reading Answers
  • What's so Funny Reading Answers
  • The Culture of Chimpanzee Reading Answers
  • Clutter Bugs Beware Reading Answer
  • Stepwells Reading Answers
  • Glaciers Reading Answers

Get Free Writing Practice Samples

  • Advantages and Disadvantages Essay with Sample Answers
  • Agree and Disagree Essay with Sample Answers
  • Problem Solution Essay Topic with Sample Answers
  • Every year several languages die out
  • Positive or Negative Development Essay with Sample Answers
  • Honesty is the best policy essay
  • Online shopping essay
  • Environment essay topics
  • Prevention is better than cure essay

Get Free Listening Practice Samples

  • Family excursions listening answers
  • Public library listening answers
  • Hiring a public room listening answers
  • Notes on social programme listening answers
  • Accommodation request form listening answers
  • Transport survey listening answers
  • Mic house agency repairs listening answers
  • Holiday rentals listening answer
  • Job enquiry listening answers
  • Homestay application listening answers
  • Library information listening answers
  • Free activities in the burnham area listening answers

IELTS Important Information

  • IELTS Exam Date
  • IELTS Exam Fee
  • IELTS Modules
  • IELTS Speaking Practice Test
  • IELTS Writing Practice Test
  • IELTS Reading Practice Test
  • IELTS Listening Practice Test
  • IELTS Test Centres
  • IELTS Results
  • Types of IELTS
  • IELTS Pattern
  • IELTS Exam Eligibilty
  • IELTS Slot Booking
  • IELTS Band Score
  • IELTS Registration
  • IELTS Books
  • IELTS Preparation
  • IELTS Practice Test
  • IELTS Speaking Cue Card
  • IELTS Speaking Part 1
  • IELTS Writing Task 1
  • IELTS Writing Task 2
  • Task 1 Pie Chart
  • Task 1 Table Chart
  • Task 1 Bar Graph
  • Task 1 Line Graph
  • Task 1 Diagram
  • IELTS Computer Based Test
  • IELTS Paper Based Test
  • IELTS One Skill Retake
  • IELTS for UKVI
  • IELTS Vocabulary

IELTS Test Centre and Dates in India

  • IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Hyderabad
  • IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Bangalore
  • IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Chennai
  • IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Amritsar
  • IELTS Centre and Dates in Ludhiana
  • IELTS Test Centre and Dates in Mumbai
  • IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Ahmedabad
  • IELTS Centre and Dates in Delhi
  • IELTS Test Centres and Dates in Chandigarh
  • IELTS Center and Dates in Pune

Avatar photo

Manisha Angre

Experienced IELTS prep trainer and education management industry veteran. Specializes in public speaking, international education, market research, mentoring, and management.

Related Posts

common words used in the daily life

A Guide on Most Common English Words Used in Daily Life

ielts score

Top IELTS Tips and Tricks For Best IELTS Scores 2024

Problem Solution Essay IELTS

60+ IELTS Essay Topics 2024: IELTS Writing Task 2 Samples & Tips

Trending now.

early childhood

  • School Guide
  • English Grammar Free Course
  • English Grammar Tutorial
  • Parts of Speech
  • Figure of Speech
  • Tenses Chart
  • Essay Writing
  • Email Writing
  • NCERT English Solutions
  • English Difference Between
  • SSC CGL English Syllabus
  • SBI PO English Syllabus
  • SBI Clerk English Syllabus
  • IBPS PO English Syllabus
  • IBPS CLERK English Syllabus
  • Subhash Chandra Bose Essay in English: Check 100, 200, 300 Words Essay
  • Rabindranath Tagore Essay in English For Students
  • 800 Words Essay On Internet in English for Students
  • 800+ Words Essay on My Dream For Students
  • Essay on My House in English: Check 300, 500 & 800 Words Essay
  • Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Essay in English For Students
  • Essay on My Favourite Book For Students
  • My Village Essay in English For Students
  • 500+ Words Essay on Swami Vivekananda in English for Students
  • Essay on My Favourite Game in English For Students
  • Essay on India of My Dreams For Students
  • My Aim in Life Essay For Students: 100, 200 & 500 Words Essay
  • Essay on My Father in English: 300, 500 & 800 Words Essay
  • Essay on Dog For Kids and Children: Check 200, 300 & 500 Words Essay
  • Essay on Science in English: Check 200, 300 & 500 Words Essay
  • Essay on Summer Vacation For Students in English: Samples Class 3 to 5
  • APJ Abdul Kalam Essay For Students: Samples 100 to 500 Words
  • 500+ Words Essay on Air Pollution
  • Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Essay in English: Check 200, 300 & 500 Words Essay

500+Words Essay on My Hobby in English

We all have busy schedules and constant demands but thankfully hobbies offer a sense of joy and fulfillment. Whether it’s painting, gardening, or playing an instrument, hobbies allow us to escape the stresses of everyday life and indulge in activities that bring us happiness. In this article, we’ll explore hobbies, exploring their importance, their benefits, and the endless possibilities they offer for relaxation and self-expression.

Table of Content

What are Hobbies?

Types of hobbies, importance of hobbies, 500+ word essay on my hobby: painting, 500+ word essay on my hobby: dancing, 500+ word essay on my hobby: sports.

Hobbies are activities that individuals engage in for pleasure and relaxation, offering a break from daily routines. They come in various forms, such as physical, mental, social, creative, and self-improvement hobbies. Engaging in hobbies provides numerous benefits, including stress relief, skill development, knowledge enhancement, and social interaction. Hobbies can help individuals disconnect from work-related stress, improve mental health, and foster creativity. They also contribute to personal growth by boosting confidence, patience, and self-esteem.

Here are the types of hobbies catering to different interests and preferences:

  • Physical Hobbies/Active Hobbies
  • Creative and DIY Craft Hobbies
  • Mental Hobbies
  • Musical Hobbies
  • Collecting Hobbies
  • Food/Drink Hobbies
  • Games/Puzzles Hobbies
  • Model/Woodworking Hobbies

Hobbies play a crucial role in our lives, offering numerous benefits that contribute to our overall well-being and happiness. Here’s why hobbies are so important:

  • Hobbies provide us with a much-needed escape from the stresses and pressures of daily life. Engaging in activities we enjoy allows us to take a mental break, recharge our batteries, and return to our responsibilities feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Whether it’s painting, playing a musical instrument, or gardening, hobbies offer a therapeutic outlet for relieving stress and promoting relaxation.
  • Hobbies build personal growth and development by challenging us to learn new skills and expand our knowledge. Whether we’re mastering a new recipe in the kitchen, learning to play a new song on the guitar, or honing our photography skills, hobbies encourage continuous learning and self-improvement. This not only boosts our confidence and self-esteem but also enhances our cognitive abilities and keeps our minds sharp.
  • Hobbies provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment in our lives. They allow us to pursue our passions, express our creativity, and connect with our inner selves on a deeper level. Whether we’re creating something with our hands, exploring the great outdoors, or immersing ourselves in a good book, hobbies give us a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that enriches our lives.
  • Hobbies play a vital role in maintaining our mental and emotional well-being. Engaging in activities we love boosts our mood, reduces feelings of anxiety and depression, and improves our overall mental health. Hobbies also provide opportunities for social interaction and connection, whether it’s joining a book club, participating in a sports team, or attending a cooking class. These social connections foster a sense of belonging and community, which is essential for our mental and emotional well-being.
  • Hobbies are an essential part of a balanced and fulfilling life. They offer a wide range of benefits, from stress relief and personal growth to enhanced well-being and social connection. By making time for hobbies, we can improve our quality of life and cultivate a greater sense of happiness and fulfillment.

Introduction to Painting as a Hobby

Painting is not just about putting colors on canvas; it is a form of communication that transcends words. For many individuals, painting serves as a means of relaxation, self-discovery, and emotional release. As a hobby, painting allows one to escape the stresses of daily life and enter a realm where creativity knows no bounds. Whether using oils, acrylics, watercolors, or other mediums, each stroke of the brush carries with it a piece of the artist’s soul.

Personal Experience with Painting

As someone who has embraced painting as a hobby, I have found immense joy and satisfaction in creating art on canvas. The process of selecting colors, envisioning a composition, and bringing it to life through brushstrokes is both meditative and exhilarating. Each painting tells a story, capturing emotions, memories, or simply the beauty of the world around us.

Benefits of Painting as a Hobby

Engaging in painting as a hobby offers numerous benefits beyond just creating beautiful artwork. Some of the key advantages include:

  • Stress Relief: Painting provides an outlet for stress and anxiety, allowing individuals to focus their energy on creating something beautiful.
  • Self-Expression: Through painting, one can express thoughts, emotions, and ideas that may be difficult to articulate verbally.
  • Creativity Enhancement: Painting stimulates creativity and imagination, encouraging individuals to think outside the box and explore new artistic possibilities.
  • Mindfulness: The act of painting requires focus and concentration, promoting mindfulness and presence in the moment.
  • Personal Growth: Engaging in painting can lead to personal growth by boosting confidence, patience, and self-esteem.

Techniques in Painting

Painting includes a wide range of techniques that artists can explore and master. Some common techniques include:

  • Color Mixing: Understanding how colors interact with each other is essential in creating harmonious compositions.
  • Brushwork: Different brush strokes can create varying textures and effects on the canvas.
  • Layering: Building layers of paint adds depth and dimension to the artwork.
  • Composition: Planning the layout of elements within the painting helps create balance and visual interest.
  • Light and Shadow: Mastering light and shadow adds realism and depth to paintings.
  • Finding Inspiration for Painting
  • Inspiration for painting can come from various sources:
  • Nature: The beauty of nature – landscapes, flowers, animals – often serves as inspiration for many painters.
  • Emotions: Strong emotions or personal experiences can fuel creativity and inspire meaningful artwork.
  • Artistic Influences: Studying the works of renowned artists can spark ideas and influence one’s own style.
  • Everyday Life: Simple moments or objects in everyday life can be transformed into art through observation and interpretation.

In conclusion, painting as a hobby offers a myriad of benefits for individuals seeking creative expression, relaxation, and personal growth. Whether you are an experienced artist or just starting out with a brush in hand, painting provides a canvas for imagination to flourish and emotions to be captured in vibrant hues. Embrace the world of painting as a hobby, let your creativity flow freely, and watch as each stroke brings you closer to your inner artist.

Dancing is not just a hobby; it is a passion that ignites my soul and fills my life with joy, expression, and creativity. From a young age, I have been drawn to the art of dance, finding solace and freedom in the movement of my body to the rhythm of music. In this essay, I will delve into the profound impact that dancing has had on my life, exploring its physical, emotional, and mental benefits, as well as the ways in which it has shaped my identity and provided me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

To begin with, dancing is a form of physical exercise that not only keeps me fit and healthy but also allows me to express myself through movement. The sheer act of dancing engages various muscle groups, improves flexibility, coordination, and balance, and enhances cardiovascular health. Whether I am practicing ballet, hip-hop, salsa, or contemporary dance styles, each session challenges my body in unique ways, pushing me to strive for greater strength and agility. Moreover, the endorphins released during dance sessions elevate my mood and reduce stress levels, leaving me feeling energized and rejuvenated.

Beyond its physical benefits, dancing serves as a powerful emotional outlet that enables me to channel my feelings and emotions into artistic expression. Through dance, I can convey a range of emotions – from joy and excitement to sadness and longing – without uttering a single word. The music becomes my language, the movements my vocabulary, and the stage my canvas on which I paint stories of love, loss, triumph, and resilience. In moments of uncertainty or turmoil, dancing provides me with a safe space to release pent-up emotions, find catharsis, and regain a sense of inner peace.

Furthermore, dancing nurtures my mental well-being by stimulating creativity, enhancing cognitive function, and fostering mindfulness. As I learn new choreographies, experiment with different dance styles, and collaborate with fellow dancers, my brain is constantly challenged to memorize sequences, coordinate movements, and interpret musical cues. This mental stimulation not only sharpens my focus and concentration but also boosts my memory retention and problem-solving skills. Additionally, the rhythmic patterns of dance music help me enter a state of flow where I am fully present in the moment, free from distractions or worries.

In addition to its physical, emotional, and mental benefits, dancing has played a pivotal role in shaping my identity and providing me with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Through years of dedicated practice and performance experiences, I have honed my skills as a dancer, developed my own unique style and artistic voice, and built lasting relationships within the dance community. Each time I step onto the stage or into the studio, I am reminded of the passion that drives me to pursue excellence in this art form. Dancing has not only enriched my life but also given me a sense of belonging and purpose that transcends words.

In conclusion, dancing is more than just a hobby for me; it is a way of life that brings me immense joy, fulfillment, and self-discovery. Through its physical benefits of exercise and fitness; emotional outlet for expression; mental stimulation for creativity; and identity-shaping role in providing purpose and fulfillment; dancing has become an integral part of who I am. As I continue to immerse myself in this art form with dedication and passion, I look forward to the endless possibilities for growth, learning, and self-expression that dance offers.

Engaging in sports is not merely a pastime for me; it is a passion that fuels my spirit, challenges my limits, and enriches my life in countless ways. From the adrenaline rush of competition to the camaraderie of teamwork, sports have been an integral part of my journey towards personal growth, physical fitness, and mental resilience. In this essay, I will delve into the profound impact that sports have had on my life, exploring their physical, emotional, and social benefits, as well as the ways in which they have shaped my character and instilled in me a sense of discipline and determination.

To begin with, participating in sports is a gateway to physical well-being and overall health. Whether I am running on the track, shooting hoops on the basketball court, or diving into the pool for a swim, each sport challenges my body in unique ways, promoting cardiovascular fitness, strength, agility, and endurance. The regular practice and training required in sports not only help me stay in shape but also instill healthy habits such as proper nutrition, hydration, and rest. Moreover, the endorphins released during physical activity elevate my mood, reduce stress levels, and boost my energy levels, leaving me feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Beyond its physical benefits, sports serve as a powerful emotional outlet that allows me to channel my emotions in a constructive manner. The highs of victory and the lows of defeat experienced in competitive sports teach me valuable lessons in resilience, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Through wins and losses alike, I learn to celebrate success with humility and grace and to face setbacks with courage and determination. The emotional rollercoaster of sports not only strengthens my mental fortitude but also fosters a sense of self-awareness and emotional intelligence that transcends the boundaries of the playing field.

Furthermore, engaging in sports nurtures my social well-being by fostering connections with teammates, coaches, and fellow athletes. The bonds forged through shared experiences on the field or court create a sense of belonging and camaraderie that extends beyond the game itself. Whether we are strategizing plays together, cheering each other on during matches, or celebrating victories as a team, the sense of unity and support within a sports community is unparalleled. These relationships not only provide me with a support system during challenging times but also offer opportunities for personal growth through collaboration, communication, and teamwork.

In addition to its physical, emotional, and social benefits, sports have played a pivotal role in shaping my character and instilling in me values such as discipline, determination, and resilience. The dedication required to excel in sports demands consistent practice, hard work, and sacrifice – qualities that translate into other areas of life such as academics or career pursuits. Through the ups and downs of training regimens, injuries, setbacks, and comebacks, I have learned to push past my limits, set ambitious goals for myself, and persevere in the face of adversity. Sports have taught me that success is not just about winning medals or trophies but about personal growth, self-improvement, and the journey towards becoming the best version of myself.

In conclusion, sports are more than just a hobby for me; they are a way of life that embodies passion, perseverance, and personal growth. Through their physical benefits of fitness; emotional outlet for resilience; social connections for camaraderie; and character-building role in discipline; sports have become an integral part of who I am. As I continue to engage in various sports with dedication and enthusiasm, I look forward to the continued opportunities for growth, learning from challenges faced on the field or court while striving towards excellence both as an athlete and as an individual.

Similar Read Essay on My Mother: 10 lines, 100 Words and 200 words essay Essay on Diwali in English for Student Essay on Ayodhya Ram Mandir in English for Students

Essay on My Hobby- FAQs

What are hobbies.

Hobbies are activities pursued for pleasure and relaxation during leisure time. They range from creative pursuits like painting and writing to outdoor activities like gardening and hiking.

Why are hobbies important?

Hobbies provide an outlet for self-expression, reduce stress, and contribute to overall well-being. They also foster personal growth, creativity, and social connections, enhancing quality of life.

How do I find the right hobby?

Explore different activities based on your interests, passions, and talents. Try new things, attend workshops or classes, and seek inspiration from others to discover hobbies that resonate with you.

Can hobbies be beneficial for mental health?

Yes, engaging in hobbies can have positive effects on mental health by promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety and depression, and boosting self-esteem and cognitive function.

Are there benefits to pursuing multiple hobbies?

Yes, having diverse hobbies allows for a well-rounded lifestyle. Each hobby offers unique benefits, and pursuing multiple interests can provide variety, prevent burnout, and stimulate creativity.

Please Login to comment...

Similar reads.

  • English Blogs
  • School English
  • CBSE Exam Format Changed for Class 11-12: Focus On Concept Application Questions
  • 10 Best Waze Alternatives in 2024 (Free)
  • 10 Best Squarespace Alternatives in 2024 (Free)
  • Top 10 Owler Alternatives & Competitors in 2024
  • 30 OOPs Interview Questions and Answers (2024)

Improve your Coding Skills with Practice

 alt=

What kind of Experience do you want to share?

HobbySlave

Why Are Hobbies Important? 15 Powerful Benefits of Hobbies

The benefits of hobbies

Some people see hobbies as a waste of time. They believe that their time, money, and effort could be better spent elsewhere. But is this really the case?

If you have spent your whole day busy at work, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to do anything except low-effort activities like watching TV, playing video games, or listening to music.

Therefore, in this article, I will make the case for why you may want to sacrifice your time and money to pursue a useful hobby.

I will explore how hobbies could impact your health, intelligence, self-esteem, creativity , and mood among many other things.

I will also give examples of hobbies that best leverage the benefits that I will mention.

So, let’s dive in.

Here Are the Top Benefits of Hobbies

1. hobbies keep boredom at bay.

Avoiding boredom is perhaps the main reason why people get into hobbies.

Boredom and idleness come with their own set of challenges. If you are not careful, you could find yourself getting into unhealthy activities and relationships just to avoid boredom.

It is especially important to have something to occupy you if you are a retiree, stay-at-home parent, or have been laid off from work.

Hobbies help us to keep boredom at bay by:

  • Giving us something to do when we have idle time.
  • Getting us into a state of flow where we lose the sense of time because we are so engrossed in what we are doing.
  • Injecting variety into our lives.
  • Introducing adventure and excitement into our lives.
  • Enabling us to have fun with our friends.

Some of the hobbies that can help keep boredom at bay include Adventure hobbies (such as paintball ), creative hobbies (such as painting ), and entertaining hobbies (such as concerts and circuses ).

2. Hobbies Can Help You To Make Friends

Making friends as an adult is not that easy. Most people tend to make friends at work and that is it.

But you tend to lose your work friends when you change jobs because the only thing that is holding you together is your place of work.

To forge strong friendships, you need to share similar interests and values. It also helps if you share a common goal or vision.

Hobbies can help with that because they help you to find your tribe- people with whom you are most likely to get along with.

Friends laughing

To maximize your chances of making friends through your hobbies, you can:

  • Attend meetups and conferences.
  • Join a club.
  • Attend In-person classes.
  • Join online forums and Facebook groups.

3. Hobbies Help You To Learn Valuable Skills

Depending on the hobby you choose to pick up, you can learn skills that will help you in your career or your business.

Note that not all hobbies will help you to learn valuable skills. If your hobbies are comprised of mainly consumption hobbies like watching movies, watching sports, or eating out, then the benefits are limited.

Pick hobbies that will challenge you to learn something new or acquire a new beneficial trait.

Some of the skills you learn by engaging in hobbies include:

  • Hard skills such as coding, graphic design, landscaping, and interior décor.
  • Life skills such as self-discipline, communication skills, time management, dealing with failure, and perseverance.

If stack skills that can help you to produce useful products and services, then you will be unbeatable.

4. Hobbies Help You To Be More Creative

Creativity is one of those skills that we take for granted but is incredibly important to have in our lives.

The things that make our lives convenient, enjoyable, and interesting; all come from the creativity of others. That is why money, power, and influence flow from those who consume to those who create.

Woman playing a guitar

Creativity is an important skill to cultivate because:

  • It helps us to come up with new solutions to complex problems .
  • It helps us to create products and services that help to serve others.
  • It helps us to express ourselves and bring our ideas to life.

Creativity increases the more you practice it, so pick one creative activity and work hard on it. Ten years from now, you will be grateful that you put in the effort.

Some great hobbies for cultivating creativity include writing, playing music, songwriting, painting, and sculpting.

5. Hobbies Can Help You to Make Money

Although most people don’t get into hobbies for the sake of money, hobbies can bring in a healthy side income or even a full-time income.

A 2021 survey of Americans who took up a hobby during the pandemic showed that 48% of them were able to make some money from their hobby . [1]

There is nothing better than earning an income doing something that you enjoy. Besides, if you are going to spend hours doing something, you might as well make a bit of money from it.

The advantage of this is that you have some extra money to cushion yourself. You also learn the skills that help you to make money on your own.

Common ways that you can make money from your hobbies include:

  • Starting a blog around your hobby and monetizing it with ads.
  • Starting a YouTube channel around your hobby.
  • Selling your services on places like Fiverr and Freelancer.
  • Selling products on places like Etsy.

6. Hobbies Can Help To Bring the Family Together

Modern life is so fast-paced and expensive that you are often caught between spending more time with your family or spending more time at work so that you can meet your family’s needs.

Often, work tends to win but this can have consequences on your family especially if you have kids. Kids can end up feeling isolated and lonely often turning to social media for comfort.

However, with some good planning and creativity, you can spend time together with your family cheaply and still have tons of fun.

Sparing time for hobbies is crucial for families because:

  • You get to learn each other better.
  • You share the ups and downs in each other’s lives.
  • You get to shape the values of your kids.
  • You create memories that you will treasure in the future.

7. Hobbies Can Be Great for Your Career

Hobbies can help you to get a job especially if they are related to your career.

For example, if you are applying for a job at NASA and you have been building model rockets since you were a teenager, you are more likely to be recruited compared to someone else without your background.

Hobbies can play an important role in helping you get a job because:

  • They show that you have skills that are relevant to your area of interest.
  • They demonstrate to recruiters that you have a passion for a particular field.
  • They help you to network with people in your field.

For your hobbies to have an impact, you have to find a way of marketing yourself. For example, you can have a blog or YouTube channel where you show your work.

Examples of hobbies that can boost your career include public speaking, coding, coaching, writing, and sports.

Further reading: If you are interested in learning more about how hobbies can help you in your career , check out the following articles.

  • Should You Include Hobbies In Your Resume?
  • The Best Hobbies for a Resume

8. Hobbies Can Help You To Stay Fit and Healthy

Many diseases, aches, and ailments that plague us can be solved by adopting a more active and healthy lifestyle.

Good health is something we take for granted until we lose it. But by incorporating healthy hobbies into your lifestyle, you can significantly increase the quality of your life.

Man lifting weights

Health-boosting hobbies have many benefits, for example:

  • You have more energy and wake up feeling refreshed.
  • You keep many chronic diseases at bay.
  • You save money because you significantly cut your visits to the doctor.

Several studies show that incorporating exercise into your life will help you to reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers . You will also improve musculoskeletal fitness and help to fight osteoporosis. [2]

Some great health-boosting hobbies you can easily start include Yoga, running, meditation, and healthy cooking.

9. Hobbies Can Help You To Become More Productive

Learning how to be more productive can be a game-changer in your life.

Some of the advantages of being more productive include:

  • You can do more work with less effort.
  • You can work faster s o that you can free up your time for other things.
  • You can achieve your goals faster and more efficiently.

Hobbies can help you become more productive in many ways. For example:

  • By adopting healthy hobbies such as exercising and healthy eating , you have more energy which means you can work faster and better.
  • By learning a hobby like coding , you can write scripts that can automate many mundane and repetitive tasks like sending emails, posting on social media, or getting data from the web.
  • By picking up a hobby like psychology , you learn how to hack your brain so that you beat bad habits like procrastination.

There are many more examples of productive hobbies . See my article on Hobbies That Will Make You Insanely Productive.

10. Hobbies Can Help You To Become Smarter

We tend to think that we are born with a certain level of intelligence that we cannot change. This is a belief that can hold us back in many ways.

But there is a lot of research that shows that intelligence is not a fixed trait. See the work of Carol Dweck. Her work is summarized in her best-selling book Mindsets.

So, if intelligence is malleable, it makes sense that we should spare time for hobbies that can make us smarter.

Hobbies can make us smarter by improving our problem-solving abilities, memory, critical thinking skills, and communication skills.

For example, a 2014 fMRI study of programmers’ brains found that coding exercises parts of the brain associated with language processing, memory, and attention. [3]

Here are examples of hobbies that can make you smarter.

  • Reading. It is one of the most efficient ways of taking in information and it is cheap. All you need to get started is a library card.
  • Chess. Chess and other strategy games are great for learning how to think two or three moves ahead of your competitors.
  • Coding. Coding requires that you learn how to organize your thoughts in a systematic and orderly way.

Such hobbies may be difficult to adopt at first, but you should consider them as a gym for your brain. Visualize your brain expanding every time you encounter new challenges.

11. Hobbies Help You To Relax and Be Calm

Hobbies can do wonders for your mental health. If you are perennially stressed, consider taking up a hobby that will help you deal with your stress.

Hobbies can help you to relax and be calm by:

  • Changing your environment. Hobbies like hiking and camping take you to peaceful natural environments.
  • Changing your mood. A hobby like listening to music can soothe you when you are feeling stressed or uplift you when you are feeling sad.
  • Making you more self-aware. Hobbies like journaling help you to analyze your problems from a new perspective.
  • Changing your beliefs and reactions. For example, studying philosophy (such as stoicism) can help you to change the way you deal with challenges and stressful situations.

Many studies have demonstrated the psychological benefits of hobbies. For example, a 2007 study found that journaling and expressive writing helped reduce depressive symptoms . [4]

Also, a 2018 study found that art therapy was effective in dealing with trauma and other psychological symptoms . [5]

Good examples of hobbies that will help you relax include journaling, hiking, forest bathing, adult coloring, philosophy, and music.

12. Hobbies Help You To Make an Impact on Society

A big reason why we are unable to make a meaningful impact on the people around us is that we lack the necessary skills to do so.

For example, if people in your area are dying of preventable diseases, becoming a doctor will help you to save many lives.

Hobbies can give you the skills that will enable you to give back to society or help those around you.

Here is how hobbies can help you to make an impact.

  • By tapping your creative skills , you can bring joy to people through writing, music, acting, or art.
  • If you have DIY skills , you can help do repairs for vulnerable people who are not able to afford such services.
  • If you have psychology skills , you can help to counsel and mentor people who are going through tough times.

Examples of hobbies that can help you make a difference in society include DIY hobbies, creative arts, psychology, nutrition, fitness, comedy, and philosophy.

13. Hobbies Help You To Become More Self-Sufficient

A lot of problems and conflicts that we face in life come from the fact that we are unable to be self-sufficient.

We get disappointed when people short-change us or are not there for us when we need them the most. By adopting a self-sufficiency mindset, you can save yourself a lot of this anguish.

Hobbies can provide you with skills that will help you to be self-sufficient.

For example, if you learn DIY skills, you will:

  • Save money by working on things yourself.
  • Do things exactly the way you want them done.
  • Avoid being taken advantage of by shady contractors who do a shoddy job.
  • Trade your skills for money or in-kind services.

Some good hobbies for self-sufficiency include homesteading, carpentry, plumbing, canning, vehicle repair, and crafting.

14. Hobbies Help You To Improve Yourself

The real value of any activity that you habitually do comes from what it makes of you.

Therefore, you should examine every activity that takes the majority of your time and try to figure out where it will lead you to.

For example, if binge-watching TV is your thing, where will you be after ten years of that? What kind of person will you be?

Men playing football

By choosing your hobbies carefully, you can shape the direction of your growth.

Hobbies can aid your personal growth by:

  • Forcing you to face your fears and move beyond your comfort zone.
  • Helping you to be more self-aware and understand yourself at a deeper level.
  • Helping you to be a more interesting and unique person.
  • Enabling you to learn difficult skills or undertake tough challenges.
  • Boosting your sense of self-worth.
  • Helping you to discover your gifts, strengths, and weaknesses.

Some good hobbies for self-improvement include studying philosophy, journaling, meditation, martial arts, team sports, creative arts, and entrepreneurship.

15. Hobbies Help You To Expand Your Horizons

If you stayed in your house the whole day, every day for years, your world would start to shrink. Each day would start to look exactly like another, kind of like Groundhog Day.

If this is you and you feel like you need to break out of the monotony, try getting a hobby that will force you out of your shell.

A carefully thought out hobby will help you expand your horizons by:

  • Creating opportunities to meet new and interesting people every day.
  • Creating opportunities for serendipity or lucky breaks . Someone you meet or something you do by accident could change your life.
  • Learning from people who are different from you even if you don’t agree with them.
  • Enabling you to experience new ideas, new cultures, and new ways of doing things .

Some great hobbies for expanding your horizons include travel, learning new languages, volunteering, in-person classes, and YouTube.

Wrapping Up

Sparing time out of your busy schedule to engage in hobbies may require sacrifice. But hopefully, I have been able to show you that hobbies come with significant benefits that are worth the sacrifice.

What to read next

If you are struggling to find a hobby, the following articles will point you in the right direction.

  • No hobbies? Why You Can’t Find a Hobby
  • How to Find a Hobby You Will Love
  • Ultimate List of 1,000+ Hobbies

[1] Lendingtree (2021) 53% Who Took on a Pandemic Hobby Went Into Credit Card Debt

[2] Darren Warburton et. al (2006) Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence

[3] Janet Sigmund et. al. (2014) Understanding Source Code with Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

[4] Eric Stice et. al. (2007) Randomized trial of a brief depression prevention program

[5] Dafna Regev and Liat Cohen-Yatziv (2018) Effectiveness of Art Therapy With Adult Clients in 2018

benefits of hobby essay

I'm a professional blogger and hobby enthusiast. I'm passionate about helping people find what they love to do and make a living from it.

my hobby essay, my best hobby, benefits of having a hobby

My Hobby Essay for Students and Children in 1000 Words

Here you will read a My Hobby essay for students and children in 1000 words. It includes info about my hobbies, benefits of having a hobby, 10 lines and conclusion.

Table of Contents

A hobby is something that an individual wants to do in his leisure time. Hobbies can also be said as a person’s personal interest. It is a type of pleasant activity that someone would like to do, bringing joy and happiness to him . 

Hobbies can be anything that a person finds interesting; they can be reading, writing, watching movies, playing games , going out somewhere for refreshment, cooking and many other things.

Different people have different activities as their hobbies. A hobby provides relief, refreshment, and a sense of satisfaction apart from the routine work of the day.

In today’s world where everyone is seemingly so busy and involved in their day-to-day activities, getting some spare time for ourselves is necessary. 

This is the time that we spend on our hobby, without even having knowledge about it, to keep ourselves fresh and active.

For some people, hobbies can be something that they love to do, while for others, it might be an extra source of income.

Wouldn’t it be great if you get paid to do something you love? In this way, hobbies offer us an opportunity to take a break from the full and monotonous life and get some enjoyment and refreshment.

My Favourite Hobby

There are many things that I like to do when I get some spare time. The favorite thing that I like the most is playing football. After completion of the scheduled studies, homework and other daily activities, I prefer to spend most of my free time playing football .

I was always fascinated by football, but I started to play and learn about the game when I was six years old. It is a wonderful game that makes me feel refreshed and relaxed.

In our school, I play football with my friends and classmates during the game period. Apart from it, if we get any leisure time in school or if any teacher is absent, we go to the school ground to play the game. 

I have also participated in some football tournaments and have represented our school in the district level championship. No doubt I am not a professional football player, but if I get a chance to be one, I will try my best to be one.

I play and practice football at home too, as I have a complete kit to play the game. I also watch the national, international, and club tournaments of football on TV . It is a game that I am really passionate about. I always get excited when I get to play football, as it is my favorite hobby.

Benefits of Having a Hobby

Out of our busy schedule and boring work, we always need some time to take part in such activities that bring joy to us and make us feel happy.

A hobby is such an activity that is really beneficial for our mental health . It reduces our stress, improves our mental well-being and creates a feeling of satisfaction and happiness in our minds.

Here are some of the significant benefits that we get from our hobbies.

1. Stress reliever

Hobbies are completely pleasure filling activities that fill our minds with positive emotions and relieve stress . It works as a distraction from our busy schedule, and we gradually start enjoying the process.

2. It unleashes our talents

We can never really know what we are capable of unless we try to do something. Our hobbies help us to explore ourselves and our talents. We can discover the qualities within us in we are actually good at.

3. It can provide an extra source of income

You may find a hobby that can act as an extra source of income in the form of a part-time job. Like, some people prefer to make handicrafts in their spare time, which can be sold for a good value. 

If you are into gardening, you can offer your services to others. If you are good at explaining things properly and like to teach people, then you can be a tutor. All these hobbies can not only be interesting for you but also be a source of income.

4. Hobbies help you stay refreshed

When you’re doing what you like, you have peace of mind. You stay physically and mentally active and refreshed. It boosts your self-confidence to do things and improves your self-esteem. You get self-motivated to do things even better.

10 Lines on My Hobby in English

  • An individual should have something that refreshes him after a busy working day, something that can make him feel relaxed and energetic and relieve his stress.
  • This is what is called a hobby, an activity, or a type of work that makes you spend some quality time enjoying it.
  • My Hobby is playing football; although there are numerous games, I like football as it demands an overall sense throughout the game.
  • There are two teams in the game, players of which targets to make the most number of goals to win the match.
  • Normally, there are 11 players in each team; however, we also play the game with 5 members on each team.
  • Whenever we get a game period in our school, I play football with my friends.
  • I am a huge fan of our national football team, and my dream is to play in that team one day.
  • Football is a beautiful game, and playing the game with my friends makes me feel better every time.
  • I have also represented our school by playing for the school team in local tournaments.
  • I want to be a successful footballer.

Conclusion of My Hobby Essay

One way to end the monotony is to focus on a hobby that we can not only enjoy by ourselves, but also pass our time in a meaningful and pleasurable way. Football is one of the most popular hobbies throughout the world. 

It is a wonderful game with a lot of mental, personal, physical and psychological benefits. Further, I have earned a good name in my locality and my circle because of football. I have received a lot of appreciation, medals, and trophies because I am good at playing the game. 

I am very much inspired by our Indian football team, and I always watch all their love matches. It has really helped me in playing well on the football ground.

I think that I can have a bright career in football, but since I am a school student, for now, it is just a hobby for me. Maybe in the future, I’ll get a chance to prove myself and try my level best to be a professional football player.

I hope you loved reading My hobby essay.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

  • Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

You Don’t Just See a Total Solar Eclipse. You Feel It Completely.

Illustration of a person in a desert sitting next to a truck, with the total solar eclipse in the sky reflected in the windshield.

By Ryan Milligan

Dr. Milligan is a senior lecturer in astrophysics at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Almost one year ago, in the middle of the night, I drove from my hometown, Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Dublin to catch an early morning flight to Munich. From there I caught another plane to Bangkok, another to Singapore and yet another to Perth in Western Australia. There, I rented a camper van and began a drive of more than 750 miles north to the town of Exmouth on a remote peninsula on the northwest coast of the continent.

This was the only reasonably accessible location on the planet with decent weather prospects from which to view the total solar eclipse on April 20, 2023. The entire event lasted 62 seconds. It was the 10th total solar eclipse I’d traveled to witness.

Even as a professional solar physicist, I find it difficult to convey why eclipse chasers like me go to such extraordinary lengths to witness such a fleeting phenomenon, again and again. I was extra determined to make the pilgrimage last year after I was thwarted by clouds in Chile in December 2020, and I couldn’t afford the eye-watering cost of traveling to Antarctica in 2021. I needed to whet my appetite before embarking on another expedition to see the totality of the April 8 eclipse in Mazatlán, Mexico.

It may sound absurd, but there is no other celestial event that anyone I know would devote so much time and effort to seeing. If you wish to see the northern lights, you can hop on a plane to Iceland or Norway and have a fairly decent chance of seeing them in the winter months. If you are on the nightside of the planet during a lunar eclipse and the skies are clear, you just need to go outside and look up to see it happening. But unless you are fortunate enough to live within or close to the path of totality, witnessing a total solar eclipse will probably require meticulous planning and marshaling time and money to get you to an optimal location and a bit of luck to make sure the weather forecasts you’ve pored over hold true.

Believe me, it is worth the effort.

A total solar eclipse is not something that you see — it’s something that you experience. You can feel the temperature around you begin to drop by as much as 15 degrees over the five to 10 minutes that lead up to the eclipse. The birds and other animals go silent. The light becomes eerie and morphs into a dusky, muted twilight, and you begin to see stark, misplaced shadows abound. A column of darkness in the sky hurtles toward you at over 1,000 miles per hour as the moon’s shadow falls neatly over the sun, turning day into temporary night — nothing like the calming sunset we take for granted every day. Sometimes, a few stars or planets begin to appear faintly in the sky as your eyes get used to the new darkness.

The hairs stand up on the back of your neck and the adrenaline kicks in as your brain tries to make sense of what is going on. But it cannot. It has no other point of reference to compare these sensations to. A total eclipse elicits a unique, visceral, primeval feeling that cannot be evoked by a photograph or a video or a newspaper article, and that can be experienced only within the path of totality when the moon completely obscures the disk of the sun.

And then of course there is the crowning glory: the sun’s corona, the pearly white outer atmosphere of our nearest star that we can otherwise see only using a fleet of dedicated solar-observing spacecraft. It has an ethereal beauty that is challenging to articulate.

For those brief few moments when the corona appears bright in the sky, all the effort made to experience the totality becomes worth it. You want to soak up every second of it and process every feeling, because it is over all too soon. Once the moon’s shadow has passed you feel both exhilarated and deflated because the next opportunity to experience this sensation again could be years away and on the other side of the world. And it is something that you will crave.

There is also, of course, the professional motivation for me to gaze upon the subject of my research with my own eyes. Most other astrophysicists only get to look at exploding stars or distant comets through gargantuan telescopes, where they appear as mere pixels on a computer screen or a squiggle on a graph. It’s easy to get detached from the beauty of astronomy when your job becomes more focused on securing grant funding, teaching, administrative duties and bureaucracy. Eclipse chasing reminds me why I chose this field of work in the first place and reignites my passion — and I want to inspire my students with that same passion.

Each eclipse is different. The shape and structure of the solar corona varies over the course of each solar cycle. The longer the duration of the eclipse, the darker one’s surroundings are likely to seem. And sandwiched between the sun’s “surface” and the corona is the crimson red chromosphere, the layer of the sun’s atmosphere that I have been researching for almost 20 years to understand its relationship to solar flares. In Australia the briefness of totality meant that this region was exceptionally bright and distinguished, and one could even spot some solar prominences (clouds of hydrogen gas suspended above the chromosphere) with the naked eye. That may also be the case on Monday.

People mistakenly think that a partial eclipse is good enough. It is not. When outside the path of totality, the visibility of even 1 percent of the sun’s disk is enough to outshine the entire corona. The buzz around this year’s eclipse through North America has reached a fever pitch not seen since the “Great American Eclipse” of 2017. The duration of totality will be almost twice as long — almost four and a half minutes. (Whether the weather will cooperate is still an open question .)

This is far from the first time I’ve tried to cajole people into experiencing the totality in full. In 2017, I persuaded several of my friends in the United States to join me in Nebraska to enjoy the spectacle without forcing them to traipse halfway across the globe. They later told me that they at first thought I may have been somewhat exaggerating the experience because of my professional bias, but when the eclipse was over, I knew that they finally got it. Their faces were overcome with emotion and they struggled to articulate how they were feeling. Because it wasn’t just about what they had seen — it was about what they had experienced.

Ryan Milligan is a solar physicist at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has held research fellowships at NASA and the Science and Technology Facilities Council in Britain and was affiliated with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center for over a decade.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

  • Solar Eclipse 2024

What the World Has Learned From Past Eclipses

C louds scudded over the small volcanic island of Principe, off the western coast of Africa, on the afternoon of May 29, 1919. Arthur Eddington, director of the Cambridge Observatory in the U.K., waited for the Sun to emerge. The remains of a morning thunderstorm could ruin everything.

The island was about to experience the rare and overwhelming sight of a total solar eclipse. For six minutes, the longest eclipse since 1416, the Moon would completely block the face of the Sun, pulling a curtain of darkness over a thin stripe of Earth. Eddington traveled into the eclipse path to try and prove one of the most consequential ideas of his age: Albert Einstein’s new theory of general relativity.

Eddington, a physicist, was one of the few people at the time who understood the theory, which Einstein proposed in 1915. But many other scientists were stymied by the bizarre idea that gravity is not a mutual attraction, but a warping of spacetime. Light itself would be subject to this warping, too. So an eclipse would be the best way to prove whether the theory was true, because with the Sun’s light blocked by the Moon, astronomers would be able to see whether the Sun’s gravity bent the light of distant stars behind it.

Two teams of astronomers boarded ships steaming from Liverpool, England, in March 1919 to watch the eclipse and take the measure of the stars. Eddington and his team went to Principe, and another team led by Frank Dyson of the Greenwich Observatory went to Sobral, Brazil.

Totality, the complete obscuration of the Sun, would be at 2:13 local time in Principe. Moments before the Moon slid in front of the Sun, the clouds finally began breaking up. For a moment, it was totally clear. Eddington and his group hastily captured images of a star cluster found near the Sun that day, called the Hyades, found in the constellation of Taurus. The astronomers were using the best astronomical technology of the time, photographic plates, which are large exposures taken on glass instead of film. Stars appeared on seven of the plates, and solar “prominences,” filaments of gas streaming from the Sun, appeared on others.

Eddington wanted to stay in Principe to measure the Hyades when there was no eclipse, but a ship workers’ strike made him leave early. Later, Eddington and Dyson both compared the glass plates taken during the eclipse to other glass plates captured of the Hyades in a different part of the sky, when there was no eclipse. On the images from Eddington’s and Dyson’s expeditions, the stars were not aligned. The 40-year-old Einstein was right.

“Lights All Askew In the Heavens,” the New York Times proclaimed when the scientific papers were published. The eclipse was the key to the discovery—as so many solar eclipses before and since have illuminated new findings about our universe.

Telescope used to observe a total solar eclipse, Sobral, Brazil, 1919.

To understand why Eddington and Dyson traveled such distances to watch the eclipse, we need to talk about gravity.

Since at least the days of Isaac Newton, who wrote in 1687, scientists thought gravity was a simple force of mutual attraction. Newton proposed that every object in the universe attracts every other object in the universe, and that the strength of this attraction is related to the size of the objects and the distances among them. This is mostly true, actually, but it’s a little more nuanced than that.

On much larger scales, like among black holes or galaxy clusters, Newtonian gravity falls short. It also can’t accurately account for the movement of large objects that are close together, such as how the orbit of Mercury is affected by its proximity the Sun.

Albert Einstein’s most consequential breakthrough solved these problems. General relativity holds that gravity is not really an invisible force of mutual attraction, but a distortion. Rather than some kind of mutual tug-of-war, large objects like the Sun and other stars respond relative to each other because the space they are in has been altered. Their mass is so great that they bend the fabric of space and time around themselves.

Read More: 10 Surprising Facts About the 2024 Solar Eclipse

This was a weird concept, and many scientists thought Einstein’s ideas and equations were ridiculous. But others thought it sounded reasonable. Einstein and others knew that if the theory was correct, and the fabric of reality is bending around large objects, then light itself would have to follow that bend. The light of a star in the great distance, for instance, would seem to curve around a large object in front of it, nearer to us—like our Sun. But normally, it’s impossible to study stars behind the Sun to measure this effect. Enter an eclipse.

Einstein’s theory gives an equation for how much the Sun’s gravity would displace the images of background stars. Newton’s theory predicts only half that amount of displacement.

Eddington and Dyson measured the Hyades cluster because it contains many stars; the more stars to distort, the better the comparison. Both teams of scientists encountered strange political and natural obstacles in making the discovery, which are chronicled beautifully in the book No Shadow of a Doubt: The 1919 Eclipse That Confirmed Einstein's Theory of Relativity , by the physicist Daniel Kennefick. But the confirmation of Einstein’s ideas was worth it. Eddington said as much in a letter to his mother: “The one good plate that I measured gave a result agreeing with Einstein,” he wrote , “and I think I have got a little confirmation from a second plate.”

The Eddington-Dyson experiments were hardly the first time scientists used eclipses to make profound new discoveries. The idea dates to the beginnings of human civilization.

Careful records of lunar and solar eclipses are one of the greatest legacies of ancient Babylon. Astronomers—or astrologers, really, but the goal was the same—were able to predict both lunar and solar eclipses with impressive accuracy. They worked out what we now call the Saros Cycle, a repeating period of 18 years, 11 days, and 8 hours in which eclipses appear to repeat. One Saros cycle is equal to 223 synodic months, which is the time it takes the Moon to return to the same phase as seen from Earth. They also figured out, though may not have understood it completely, the geometry that enables eclipses to happen.

The path we trace around the Sun is called the ecliptic. Our planet’s axis is tilted with respect to the ecliptic plane, which is why we have seasons, and why the other celestial bodies seem to cross the same general path in our sky.

As the Moon goes around Earth, it, too, crosses the plane of the ecliptic twice in a year. The ascending node is where the Moon moves into the northern ecliptic. The descending node is where the Moon enters the southern ecliptic. When the Moon crosses a node, a total solar eclipse can happen. Ancient astronomers were aware of these points in the sky, and by the apex of Babylonian civilization, they were very good at predicting when eclipses would occur.

Two and a half millennia later, in 2016, astronomers used these same ancient records to measure the change in the rate at which Earth’s rotation is slowing—which is to say, the amount by which are days are lengthening, over thousands of years.

By the middle of the 19 th century, scientific discoveries came at a frenetic pace, and eclipses powered many of them. In October 1868, two astronomers, Pierre Jules César Janssen and Joseph Norman Lockyer, separately measured the colors of sunlight during a total eclipse. Each found evidence of an unknown element, indicating a new discovery: Helium, named for the Greek god of the Sun. In another eclipse in 1869, astronomers found convincing evidence of another new element, which they nicknamed coronium—before learning a few decades later that it was not a new element, but highly ionized iron, indicating that the Sun’s atmosphere is exceptionally, bizarrely hot. This oddity led to the prediction, in the 1950s, of a continual outflow that we now call the solar wind.

And during solar eclipses between 1878 and 1908, astronomers searched in vain for a proposed extra planet within the orbit of Mercury. Provisionally named Vulcan, this planet was thought to exist because Newtonian gravity could not fully describe Mercury’s strange orbit. The matter of the innermost planet’s path was settled, finally, in 1915, when Einstein used general relativity equations to explain it.

Many eclipse expeditions were intended to learn something new, or to prove an idea right—or wrong. But many of these discoveries have major practical effects on us. Understanding the Sun, and why its atmosphere gets so hot, can help us predict solar outbursts that could disrupt the power grid and communications satellites. Understanding gravity, at all scales, allows us to know and to navigate the cosmos.

GPS satellites, for instance, provide accurate measurements down to inches on Earth. Relativity equations account for the effects of the Earth’s gravity and the distances between the satellites and their receivers on the ground. Special relativity holds that the clocks on satellites, which experience weaker gravity, seem to run slower than clocks under the stronger force of gravity on Earth. From the point of view of the satellite, Earth clocks seem to run faster. We can use different satellites in different positions, and different ground stations, to accurately triangulate our positions on Earth down to inches. Without those calculations, GPS satellites would be far less precise.

This year, scientists fanned out across North America and in the skies above it will continue the legacy of eclipse science. Scientists from NASA and several universities and other research institutions will study Earth’s atmosphere; the Sun’s atmosphere; the Sun’s magnetic fields; and the Sun’s atmospheric outbursts, called coronal mass ejections.

When you look up at the Sun and Moon on the eclipse , the Moon’s day — or just observe its shadow darkening the ground beneath the clouds, which seems more likely — think about all the discoveries still yet waiting to happen, just behind the shadow of the Moon.

More Must-Reads From TIME

  • Exclusive: Google Workers Revolt Over $1.2 Billion Contract With Israel
  • Stop Looking for Your Forever Home
  • Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
  • Hormonal Birth Control Doesn’t Deserve Its Bad Reputation
  • The Sympathizer Counters 50 Years of Hollywood Vietnam War Narratives
  • Essay: The Relentless Cost of Chronic Diseases
  • The Best TV Shows to Watch on Peacock
  • Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Contact us at [email protected]

You May Also Like

The 50 best Hollywood books of all time

The Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf

  • Show more sharing options
  • Copy Link URL Copied!

FOB-dropcap-I-01.png

It’s been said that Hollywood is more an idea than a place, and no task punctuates the notion quite like asking people to choose the best Hollywood book of all time: “What do you mean,” they inevitably ask, “by ‘Hollywood’?”

The list that follows, compiled from a survey of experts in the worlds of publishing and entertainment and written by regular contributors to The Times’ film and books coverage, answers that question more astutely than I ever could. In fiction and non-, across genres and decades, these 50 titles compare Hollywood to an assembly line, a criminal enterprise, a high-seas expedition and much, much more — a penchant for shape-shifting that might explain its hold on the cultural imagination.

Yet any entity that can simultaneously be described as an industry, a society, even a style, is liable to collect more detractors than it would had it remained simply a real estate development, and if there’s a through-line in the great Hollywood books it is the conviction that creating magic must come at a cost. Sometimes comic, more often tragic, they chronicle disappointments, humiliations, botch-jobs and flops of every conceivable variety, personal and professional, creative and economic, individual and institutional; even the more rose-colored perspectives still make it seem as if producing a single movie, much less a good one, qualifies as a miracle.

Illustration for The Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf

We chose the best Hollywood books of all time. What’s on your list?

But that, I suspect, is why we keep coming back, self-flagellants before the altar of motion pictures. This place, this idea, demands of its adherents what religion does any pilgrim — devotion, sacrifice, faith that all will be worth it in the end — and supplies in turn the same benefits — ritual, community, comfort. You simply have to take it on trust: If watching movies is heaven, and living without them is hell, then Hollywood is the purgatory in between. — Matt Brennan

Subscribers get exclusive access to this story

We’re offering L.A. Times subscribers special access to our best journalism. Thank you for your support. Explore more Subscriber Exclusive content .

FOB blue rule

Movies (and Other Things)

(Shea Serrano, 2019)

"Movies (And Other Things)" by Shea Serrano

There’s a nonchalant freshness to the way former journalist and author Serrano writes about the variety of subjects that interest him, whether basketball or movies. His entertaining and insightful musings on the latter form the uniquely titled chapters here: Each of them aims to provide answers to one of Serrano’s specific inquiries related to popular flicks. The approachable tone, and the selection of films discussed, removes any sense of snobbery that some readers may associate with film criticism. Serrano doesn’t purport to be an expert but rather a movie fan, one with a talent for crafting engaging prose, sharing his most galaxy-brained thoughts on the kind of movies one has seen more times than they can count. — Carlos Aguilar

FOB 49

Myra Breckinridge

(Gore Vidal, 1968)

"Myra Breckinridge" by Gore Vidal

Vidal’s 1968 tale of a trans woman exacting her revenge on a Hollywood studio is campy and profane, its exclamatory prose giddy to provoke. Written in a haste that contrasted Vidal’s more considered historical fiction, “Myra” reads like Vidal was in a mad dash to work through his own sexuality. (“A very subtle psychological self-portrait,” was Christopher Isherwood’s cheeky assessment.) But its heedless vigor is part of its enduring charm, sending up the egos and power plays (both financial and sexual) that drive the movie business. The book is probably best known for a dismal 1970 adaptation starring Raquel Welch and John Huston that remains bolted to lists of the worst-ever movies. But the novel itself remains a potent Tinseltown satire. — Mark Athitakis

FOB 48

The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood

(Sam Wasson, 2020)

"The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood" by Sam Wasson

No one has been more haunted by the fateful final line of Roman Polanski’s most accomplished work, “Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown,” than Wasson. To dissect a seminal work in American cinema, the author dived deep into the minds and lives of the key players that came together for this picture about corruption in 1930s Los Angeles to become what it is. These include star Jack Nicholson, Paramount executive Robert Evans, screenwriter Robert Towne and the controversial Polanski himself. As he maps the creation of “Chinatown” in astounding detail, Wasson simultaneously eulogizes the bygone era when Hollywood studios were interested in filmmaking with an idiosyncratic voice. — C A

FOB 47

(Bruce Wagner, 2012)

"Dead Stars: A Novel" by Bruce Wagner

Don’t look for someone to like in this blistering, X-rated takedown of Hollywood strivers. Not the pregnant teen who’s been exploited by her Nan Goldin-like mother since childhood or her porn-obsessed boyfriend. Not the paparazzo who strives for underage crotch-shots or the young cancer survivor who spells it with a K, hoping to get the attention of the Kardashians. Published in 2012, the text leaps, runs on, includes emoticons and ignores punctuation, just like DMs and text messages. In this massive, manic book full of explicit sex and characters with equally naked ambition, Wagner holds a mirror up to the underside of Hollywood. It may be a disturbing vision, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true. — Carolyn Kellogg

FOB 46

Arabs and Muslims in the Media: Race and Representation after 9/11

(Evelyn Alsultany, 2012)

"Arabs and Muslims in the Media: Race and Representation after 9/11" by Evelyn Alsultany

At the heart of this erudite academic monograph is a counterintuitive claim: following the 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the rise of hate crimes and government policies that targeted Arabs and Muslims was met with an equally high incidence of sympathetic portrayals of those populations in the U.S. media. That’s not to say there weren’t horribly damaging depictions of Middle Eastern terrorists rooted in offensive racial stereotypes — many concocted in the service of offering up an “evil cultural Other” that anchored much of the rhetoric around the so-called War on Terror. But Alsultany’s study keenly avoids endorsement of neat categories like “good” and “bad” representation, aiming instead to complicate how it is that media images on either side of that divide can fuel meanings that end up justifying policies of exclusion and inequality. — Manuel Betancourt

FOB 45

The Deer Park

(Norman Mailer, 1955)

"The Deer Park: A Novel" by Norman Mailer

Though set in Palm Springs, “The Deer Park” is the most insightful, unsparing look at the machineries of Hollywood I know of — Mailer’s underrated masterpiece.

— HOWARD RODMAN, novelist, screenwriter, former president of the Writers Guild of America West and current vice president, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

FOB 44

Everybody Thought We Were Crazy: Dennis Hopper, Brooke Hayward, and 1960s Los Angeles

(Mark Rozzo, 2022)

"Everybody Thought We Were Crazy: Dennis Hopper, Brooke Hayward, and 1960s Los Angeles" by Mark Rozzo

Hopper is the bold-faced name, but Hayward is the heart of this intimate story of a marriage that tied together the L.A. art and music scenes, Golden Era Hollywood and the emerging indie film movement. Hayward’s parents were so Old Hollywood that she and Hopper were regularly invited to David O. Selznick’s house; Hopper would, after their split, make “Easy Rider.” Before things fall apart, they hang with the Ferus Gallery and help Andy Warhol have his first L.A. art show; act and model and start a family; and play host to a glittering parade of soon-to-be-famous musicians and actors. Hayward is still with us and opened the door to tell the story of the time her bohemian, chaotic Hollywood home played host to a seismic shift in three art forms at once. — C K

FOB 43

Stay Tuned: An Inside Look at the Making of Prime-Time Television

(Richard Levinson and William Link, 1981)

"Stay Tuned: An Inside Look at the Making of Prime-Time Television" by Richard Levinson and William Link

Levinson and Link are hardly household names among today’s TV heads, but they deserve to be. As the creators of “Columbo” and “Murder, She Wrote,” and a library full of trailblazing TV movies (including “Crisis at Central High” and “That Certain Summer”), they combined razor-sharp storytelling instincts with an acute social consciousness at a time when television was still widely derided as “the idiot box” (or worse). They also wrote this shrewdly intelligent assessment of their work and their chosen field, a good two decades before the dawn of prestige cable and the widespread acceptance that the small screen is where the really good storytelling happens. The book’s title intentionally predicts great things on the horizon in the early ‘80s, when Levinson and Link wrote the book. They’re also low-key quite funny, as when they point out that the producer of any dramatic series might also indulge in some rewriting “if he’s a writer (or thinks he’s a writer).” — Chris Vognar

FOB 42

Making the White Man’s Indian: Native Americans and Hollywood Movies

(Angela Aleiss, 2005)

"Making the White Man's Indian: Native Americans and Hollywood Movies" by Angela Aleiss

A rigorous study of how anti-Native racism and misrepresentation has pervaded Hollywood filmmaking, from D.W. Griffith shorts to “The Searchers,” “Stagecoach” to “Dances With Wolves,” one-note savages to white saviors. But Aleiss, who watched dozens of features and shorts for this influential book, also demonstrates that there were plenty of affirming stories about Native Americans in the pre-western era — “the Indian as a noble hero actually preceded the cowboy star,” she notes. But such stories were frozen out in favor of cowboys-and-Indians yarns, and shifting audiences throughout the 20th century influenced what kinds of Native American narratives were elevated and suppressed. Aleiss spotlights the industry groups and directors who’ve worked to address stereotypes about “half-breeds” and conversation narratives but also demonstrates why it’s often been a losing battle. — M A

FOB 41

(Kennedy Ryan, 2021)

"Reel" by Kennedy Ryan

“Reel” is a gorgeous romance novel about Broadway and Hollywood. Through Ryan’s masterful storytelling, readers are transported into a world where passion, ambition and the pursuit of one’s dreams collide, leaving the characters to make difficult choices about love, family and the future.

— LEAH KOCH, co-owner of Culver City’s the Ripped Bodice, the first independent bookstore in the United States devoted to the celebration of romance novels

FOB pink rule

Raising Kane

(Pauline Kael, 1971)

Raising Kane

Did Orson Welles get too much glory for “Citizen Kane”? Absolutely, New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael insists in this novella-length fire-starter about the making of the greatest movie of all time. (We can save that skirmish for another day.) As Charles Foster Kane, a sendup of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, Welles embodied the image of a vainglorious Great Man. But Welles’ success, according to Kael, meant he also needed to be taken down a peg. > GO TO STORY

Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf essay illustration for Pauline Kael's book "Raising Kane" or "The Citizen Kane Book"

Why Kael’s fight over ‘Citizen Kane’ still matters

Subscriber Exclusive Alert

If you're an L.A. Times subscriber, you can sign up to get alerts about early or entirely exclusive content.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

FOB 39

Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films

(Donald Bogle, 1973)

"Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies and Bucks" by Donald Bogle

Donald Bogle’s “Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks” is considered the standard text on Black characters in American movies. But when the book was first published, in 1973, it was just about the only text on the subject. This might be hard to imagine today, when books about the intersection of race and cinema flow forth on a regular basis (among the strongest in recent years are Will Haygood’s “Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World” and Robin R. Means Coleman’s “The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema From Fodder to Oscar”). Such abundance was unthinkable when Bogle, then a young journalist who had worked as a story editor for Otto Preminger, began his odyssey into the industry’s appallingly racist history. Bogle’s book was practically the birth of the field. > GO TO STORY

Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf essay illustration for Donald Bogle's book "Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films"

The book that shaped Black Hollywood history

FOB 38

Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman

(Alan Rickman, 2022)

"Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman" by Alan Rickman

Today, the late British actor might best be known for playing stern wizard Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” film franchise. But in a career spanning nearly four decades, he amassed a wide-ranging collection of on-screen personas. What these diaries reveal, however, is that perhaps the Rickman behind the scenes was the most compelling character. The compilation of forthright entries opens a window into his most intimate moments with friends and loved ones, as well as memorable professional experiences. The self-portrait that text pieces together is that of a multifaceted person and artist with a singular perspective on his craft and on quotidian life. — C A

FOB 37

Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma

(Claire Dederer, 2023)

"Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma" by Claire Dederer

Perhaps the most exhilarating thing about this book is not the subject matter — can we consume art after learning how monstrous the artist is? — but how Dederer puts her thinking about it down on the page. She considers all the angles on Roman Polanski, the film director who pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor in 1977 and has been accused of other incidents of sexual assault — who also himself suffered extraordinary trauma and has (significantly to Dederer, once a film critic) made great movies. She is more forgiving than you might think, which allows her fascinating book to invite engagement. In addition to filmmakers, she looks at writers, musicians and actors and also female monsters (bad mothers). Winner of the L.A. Times’ 2023 Christopher Isherwood Prize for Autobiographical Prose , this book is a remarkable artistic inquiry. — C K

FOB 36

Memo From David O. Selznick

(David O. Selznick, selected and edited by Rudy Behlmer, 1972)

"Memo from David O. Selznick" by David O. Selznick

If you want to learn about how to produce, this is an incredibly fun way to do it.

— DAVID MADDEN, head of global entertainment for Wattpad WEBTOON Studios and former executive at Fox, AMC Networks and Berlanti Television

FOB 35

Valley of the Dolls

(Jacqueline Susann, 1966)

"Valley of the Dolls" by Jacqueline Susann

Susann was no great shakes as a model and actor. But when she turned to a typewriter, the entertainment world quivered. “Valley of the Dolls” hit Hollywood like a mile-wide powder puff — everyone paged through her bestseller looking for fingerprints. Could its ruthless and needy singer Neely O’Hara be inspired by Judy Garland? Was Jennifer, the doomed blond, based on Carole Landis or Marilyn Monroe? Was anyone in the industry sober? Like the characters she channeled, Susann was a pill-popper roiling with frustrated ambition, a never-was starlet who’d been close enough to the action to hear the good gossip. (The novel’s interconnected affairs remind us that show business was, and is, a very small clique.) Her witty and tireless self-promotion became the modern template of a celebrity author. Responding to rumors that the book’s tyrannical Broadway star was based on her former friend Ethel Merman, Susann quipped, “We didn’t speak before the book came out. Let’s just say that now we’re not speaking louder.” — Amy Nicholson

FOB 34

From Reverence to Rape: The Treatment of Women in the Movies

(Molly Haskell, 1974)

"From Reverence to Rape: The Treatment of Women in the Movies" by Molly Haskell

At the time of its publication, Haskell writes in her introduction to the third edition of “From Reverence to Rape,” she “wanted to show how women had in fact been better served by the notoriously tyrannical studio system than they were in the newer, freer, hipper Hollywood of the (then) present. This has since become a truism, but in 1974 it was heresy.” More than any single point she draws about women’s place in the American cinema, though, whether via her discussion of “the woman’s film,” her decade-by-decade history or her comparison to European patterns, it’s Haskell’s refusal to hew to received wisdom that has sustained the book’s relevance for 50 years. Evincing no patience for pat readings or political agendas, Haskell effortlessly underscores the notion that the meaning of movies can’t be plotted on a chart, and no matter where the critical consensus at a given moment lies, her chewing over films from “His Girl Friday” to “Carnal Knowledge” — whether they go down easy or get stuck in her craw — remains timeless. — Brennan

FOB 33

Hollywood Babylon

(Kenneth Anger, 1965)

"Hollywood Babylon" by Kenneth Anger

Given the number of inaccuracies, falsehoods and all around debunked stories found in “Hollywood Babylon ,” you’d be forgiven for thinking this salacious collection of scandals has no merit. Then again, the brainchild of one of the most avant-garde queer filmmakers of the 20th century is less interested in facts about show business than in revealing the lurid underbelly that’s long cemented it. Originally published in France in 1959, the book first arrived in the U.S. in 1965, but it was the image-heavy edition printed a decade later that ignited the controversy that follows it to this day. Riddled with off-color anecdotes tackling everything from incest to suicide and featuring marquee stars from the ’20s and ’30s including Fatty Arbuckle, Lupe Velez and Clara Bow, it more than lives up to how the New York Times described it: a “306‐page box of poisoned bonbons.” — Betancourt

FOB 32

The Jaws Log

(Carl Gottlieb, 1975)

"The Jaws Log: Expanded Edition" by Carl Gottlieb

Gottlieb witnessed firsthand the complications that surfaced during the production of “Jaws,” the first summer blockbuster. A friend of the young Steven Spielberg, who was only 28 when he directed the imposing shark story based on Peter Benchley’s novel, Gottlieb first came on board to act in a small role and to work on improving the screenplay. But he ultimately chronicled the young director’s feat as it was unfolding. The meticulously told account provides insight into the problem-solving approach of Spielberg and his collaborators when faced with a myriad of crises. In doing so, the journal illustrates the titanic collective effort making a movie entails and the uncertainty about how the end result will turn out, even when you have the future wunderkind of cinema at the helm. — C A

FOB 31

You’ll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again

(Julia Phillips, 1991)

"You'll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again" by Julia Phillips

To see Julia Phillips become the first female producer to win a best picture Oscar is to get a glimpse of the charisma and wit that made her so welcome in Hollywood, in boardrooms and on sets, until she wasn’t. At the 1974 Academy Awards, a streaker had interrupted David Niven introducing presenter Elizabeth Taylor, who stumbled over her lines, then announced “The Sting” as the winner. Phillips took the stage with her (not yet ex-) husband, Michael, and their co-producer Tony Bill. Phillips, with a touch of New York accent, said, “You can imagine what a trip this is for a Jewish girl from Great Neck. Tonight I get to win an Academy Award and meet Elizabeth Taylor all in the same moment.” Off-screen, Taylor guffaws. > GO TO STORY

Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf essay illustration for Julia Phillips' book "You’ll Never Eat Lunch in This Town Again"

Hollywood’s bravest memoir wasn’t written by a movie star

FOB 30

L.A. Confidential

(James Ellroy, 1990)

"L.A. Confidential" by James Ellroy

Ellroy’s cynical noir takes such a dark view of Los Angeles that the city is practically a black hole. The gravitational force is, of course, Hollywood and its insatiable need for sex, drugs, money and power (and criminals willing to supply them). Ellroy named names — Mickey Cohen, Johnny Stompanato — and barely disguised others, such as his entertainment tycoon Raymond Dieterling, who wants to build a theme park for his character Moochie Mouse. Most damningly, though, Ellroy describes a Los Angeles Police Department that functions like a movie studio. Here, every officer’s career hinges on their ability to put on a performance. The cops script phony hearings, stash props on perps, rehearse their threatening zingers, stage massacres that make them look like heroes and dress up for flashy narcotics busts in blue blazers that bring out their eyes. To Ellroy, the LAPD doesn’t want to protect and serve — it just wants applause. — A N

FOB 29

The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies

(Vito Russo, 1981)

"The Celluloid Closet : Homosexuality in the Movies" by Vito Russo

First published in 1981, “The Celluloid Closet” was the culmination of decades’ worth of work by film historian and LGBTQ activist Russo. Initially designed as a live lecture with clips from classic films that showed queer-coded characters, cruel homophobic stereotypes and everything in between, Russo’s ambitious tome chronicled the many ways Hollywood had depicted gays and lesbians on the big screen. With sections such as “Who’s a Sissy? Homosexuality According to Tinseltown” and “Struggle: Fear and Loathing in Gay Hollywood,” Russo’s encyclopedic study was a groundbreaking intervention into discussions of visibility and representation that are nowadays shepherded by the likes of GLAAD, the very organization Russo founded. The influential nonfiction book would go on to be reissued in 1987 with more contemporary additions and in 1996 was adapted into a Peabody Award-winning documentary by the same name, narrated by Lily Tomlin. — Betancourt

FOB 28

Lulu in Hollywood

(Louise Brooks, 1982)

"Lulu In Hollywood: Expanded Edition" by Louise Brooks

Brooks was best known for G.W. Pabst’s 1929 drama “Pandora’s Box,” in which her Lulu, a ferocious flapper with a pageboy haircut, seduced and abandoned all men who dared stand in her path. But she was also an astute observer of show business customs and personalities, and, as it turned out, a very good writer. This collection of personal essays covers subjects ranging from her time working with director William “Wild Bill” Wellman on “Beggars of Life” to her friendship with Humphrey Bogart, of whom she writes: “Humphrey Bogart spent the last twenty-one years of his life laboriously converting the established character of a middle-aged man from that of a conventional, well-bred theater actor named Humphrey to one that complemented his film roles — a rebellious tough known as Bogey.” Brooks was very wise to the ways of image; she also deftly transcended her own. — C V

FOB 27

The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film

(Michael Ondaatje, 2002)

"The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film" by Michael Ondaatje

One of the editors on bona fide classics such as Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” and “The Conversation,” three-time Oscar-winner Murch holds a well of hard-earned knowledge about the mechanics of visual storytelling. A portion of that narrative wisdom is contained within the pages of this collection of rich exchanges with lauded novelist Ondaatje. (The pair met during the making of Anthony Minghella’s “The English Patient,” a film adapted from Ondaatje’s book and edited by Murch.) The intellectual wealth of these chats goes beyond film editing — an often-misunderstood craft that is absolutely essential to how we perceive cinema — and extends to the overall history of the medium in the last third of the 20th century. — C A

FOB 26

Money: A Suicide Note

(Martin Amis, 1984)

money by martin amis

In the late 1970s, Amis wrote the screenplay for an unremarkable science-fiction film, “Saturn 3.” On the evidence of this savage industry satire, the experience was souring, dehumanizing and debauching. John Self, the novel’s narrator, is a hard-drinking director traveling between New York and London to steer a film titled “Good Money,” and his observations are rich with fine-grain detail about the celebrities and agents essential to the movie business. But it’s as much a story about the movie business’ relentless damage to the psyche, as John is sunk in porn and prostitutes and drink, swallowed up not just by his success but his lust for it. “The artists in my story are bull artists, con artists, drink artists,” Amis told an interviewer about “Money.” But not good artists, morally or cinematically. — M A

FOB 25

Third Girl From the Left

(Martha Southgate, 2005)

"Third Girl From The Left: A Novel" by Martha Southgate

Hollywood always seemed a mythical place where average folks could make the wildest of their dreams come true. But once you’ve been around a while, you come to see the tarnish on Tinseltown’s tinsel. The Black women in “Third Girl From the Left” want to be movie stars or movie makers, but they arrive in a Hollywood that’s not ready to love them back. A family story that gets its shine from the lure of movie magic and our shared fantasy about the healing powers of stardom, Southgate’s novel never shies away from the hard truths of dream-chasing, yet still believes “in the power of movies and the people in them to change a life.”

— LAURA WARRELL, author of “Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm”

FOB 24

Beautiful Ruins

(Jess Walter, 2012)

"Beautiful Ruins: A Novel" by Jess Walter

“I’ve been simultaneously drawn to and repelled from Hollywood for years,” Walter told The Times in 2012 . Both sentiments feed into this novel, which begins when a beautiful actor, banished from the set of “Cleopatra” where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are indulging in gorgeous excess, lands at a small hotel on the Italian coast. The hotelier is smitten. Jump ahead five decades to reality television in Hollywood, where the assistant to an on-his-way-down producer has to listen to terrible pitches. The novel jumps around temporally and includes an unfinished manuscript and an awful memoir, but these disparate threads tie together in a delightful resolution. “Hollywood is like a giant mirror, I think,” Walter said, “and I used it that way in the book, reflecting characters back to themselves.” — C K

FOB 23

Eve’s Hollywood

(Eve Babitz, 1974)

"Eve's Hollywood" by Eve Babitz

Few have loved this city as ferociously as Babitz, a brilliant chronicler of Hollywood’s fantasies, foibles and beautiful freaks. Babitz, who died in 2021 , grew up here knowing everyone. Her godfather was famed composer Igor Stravinsky; her high-school gym locker was next to that of a girl who later joined the Manson Family. Babitz’s gleefully debaucherous memoir captures her teen years as a glamour-mad adventuress pinballing around a town full of kooks. At once skeptical and star-struck, she writes passionately about celebrity, superficiality and excess and justifies her decision to graduate early in just two words: Marlon Brando. Celebrities adored Babitz right back, but luckily for us, she chose to be an author, not an actor. “I never had the necessary ability to suspend my own disbelief,” she shrugs. Besides, Babitz knew the juiciest drama plays out off-screen. — A N

FOB 22

The Big Sleep

(Raymond Chandler, 1939)

"The Big Sleep" by Raymond Chandler

To Chandler, one of the godfathers of the hard-boiled crime novel, Hollywood generally came down to blackmail and sleaze. (To be fair, to Chandler, much of the world came down to blackmail and sleaze). “The Big Sleep,” the first of Chandler’s seven Philip Marlowe novels, finds the private dick investigating a pornography ring in a story that finds murders and double-crosses piling up at a dizzying rate. An honorable old man hires Marlowe to extricate his younger daughter from a series of blackmailers; meanwhile, the detective falls for his client’s older daughter. Gleefully homophobic and brutal, adapted into an indelible 1946 Howard Hawks movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, the novel set the stage for “The Little Sister” (1949), in which Marlowe investigates a blackmail scheme targeting a Hollywood starlet. By then Chandler had done time as a screenwriter and didn’t care for the industry; he got his revenge on the page. — C V

FOB 21

West of Eden: An American Place

(Jean Stein, 2016)

"West of Eden: An American Place" by Jean Stein

The title of Stein’s oral history of the muddled, murky origins of Los Angeles as we know it gestures at an off-kilter narrative of biblical proportions. Here is Hollywood laid bare as a fabled “American Place” that’s not so much an Edenic garden as something darker and dirtier, though not for that any less sinful. Stein focuses on families and individuals who forged this West Coast city into what it is today. Oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny, movie mogul Jack Warner, actor Jennifer Jones, heiress Jane Garland and MCA founder Jules C. Stein (the author’s father) anchor startling as-told tales about a city built on ruthless individuals whose bloodied legacies live on still. The Times best summed up its appeal : “It’s like being at an insider’s cocktail party where the most delicious gossip about the rich and powerful is being dished by smart people.” — Betancourt

FOB 20

(Percival Everett, 2001)

"Erasure" by Percival Everett

“When I grew up, there were three black people on TV, and they were all porters,” author Everett once groaned. His exasperation with stereotypes fuels this flashpoint novel about a Black academic named Monk who invents an ex-felon persona to sell books. “Erasure” is aimed at literary gatekeepers, but Everett takes a shot at Hollywood, too, with his inclusion of a bearish, cigar-smoking movie producer who barges into the story alongside a giggling silicone blond. (The bore jokes that he should have met Monk at Popeye’s Fried Chicken.) When filmmaker Cord Jefferson reworked “Erasure” into his Oscar-winning screenplay, “American Fiction,” he updated the producer character into a vapid dweeb who thinks he’s speaking woke. The tweak emphasized the baby steps the industry has made since 2001 — and the miles left to go. Now who’s going to film “James,” Everett’s bold new adaptation of “Huckleberry Finn”? — AN

FOB 19

(John Gregory Dunne, 1969)

"The Studio" by John Gregory Dunne

Dunne was dumbfounded when Twentieth Century Fox head Richard Zanuck gave him full access to cover the studio over the course of a year that included production of movies including “Dr. Dolittle,” “Planet of the Apes” and “The Boston Strangler.” But he knew just what to do with the gift. Sitting in on marketing and production meetings, hanging out in the commissary, watching dailies, Dunne captured the small moments that add up to a big picture of ego run amok in a sort of hinge era for the industry, when audiences were getting younger and edgier and studios still weren’t sure how to respond (see “Dr. Dolittle.” Or better yet, don’t). Here’s Zanuck, watching “Apes” footage, responding to criticism in the room that a blood transfusion is depicted incorrectly: “What the hell. Maybe that’s how an ape does it.” Indeed. As Dunne writes in his foreword, “If I got the access, I knew I had the book.” — C V

FOB 18

Final Cut: Art, Money and Ego in the Making of Heaven’s Gate, the Film That Sunk United Artists

(Steven Bach, 1985)

"Final Cut: Art, Money, and Ego in the Making of Heaven's Gate, the Film that Sank United Artists" by Steven Bach

When Steven Bach’s “Final Cut” appeared in 1985, it was mainly sold as Hollywood dish. Bach, the former head of production at United Artists, had delivered the inside story of “Heaven’s Gate,” a 1980 epic western by Michael Cimino that was budgeted at about $11.5 million, wound up costing around four times that, and prompted the hobbled studio’s sale to MGM. Here at last were the details of Cimino’s outsize ego and UA’s futile attempts to restrain it. > GO TO STORY

Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf essay illustration for “Final Cut: Art, Money, and Ego in the Making of Heaven’s Gate, the Film That Sank United Artists”

The story of flop ‘Heaven’s Gate’ is a cautionary tale

FOB 17

The Classical Hollywood Cinema: Film Style and Mode of Production to 1960

(David Bordwell, Janet Staiger and Kristin Thompson, 1985)

"The Classical Hollywood Cinema" by David Bordwell, Janet Staiger and Kristin Thompson

When renowned scholar Bordwell died earlier this year at 76, current and former film students the world over shared images of his introductory textbook “Film Art,” whose changing cover illustration helped distinguish one generation of cinephiles from another as surely as the release of “The Graduate” or “sex, lies, and videotape.” But for my money, his most indispensable contribution to our understanding of the medium, co-written with Thompson and Staiger, is this magisterial survey, illustrated with frames from “King Kong” (1933), “The Magnificent Ambersons” (1942) and “Carmen Jones” (1954), among countless others. In it, the authors not only explain the rise of the studio system, trace the emergence of sound and color, and explore the evolution of film exhibition from cramped nickelodeons to imposing movie palaces. They also argue, convincingly and definitively, that the political economy of Hollywood moviemaking is inextricable from the style and content of Hollywood movies — and thereby reveal the scaffolding underneath the greatest meeting of art and business the world has ever known. — Brennan

FOB 16

The Devil’s Candy

(Julie Salamon, 1991)

"The Devil's Candy: The Bonfire of the Vanities Goes to Hollywood" by Julie Salamon

First subtitled “The Bonfire of the Vanities Goes to Hollywood,” this book is an inside look at the making of a single film, based on Tom Wolfe’s bestselling novel. The step-by-step chronicle, however, has proved more enduring than the original text; later editions are subtitled “The Anatomy of a Hollywood Fiasco.” Salamon, a Wall Street Journal film critic, had been looking for a director who would allow her full access to the making of a film, and Brian De Palma suggested “Bonfire,” no constraints. She gets a kaleidoscopic view of the filmmaking process, speaking to the second-unit director, editor, producers, stars, people standing on set. Nobody wanted to make a flop. But what started out as a satire of ’80s greed and extravagance, with a budget that swelled to nearly $50 million, became a cautionary tale instead. Salamon’s narrative is clear-eyed and delicious. — C K

FOB 15

Postcards From the Edge

(Carrie Fisher, 1987)

"Postcards from the Edge" by Carrie Fisher

“Maybe I shouldn’t have given the guy who pumped my stomach my phone number, but who cares?” There is no more quotable novel about Hollywood than Carrie Fisher’s roman à clef, “Postcards From the Edge.” Fisher’s sentences bristle with caustic, self-effacing humor. Outside of her forays into that galaxy far, far away, that brand of sharp deadpan comedy is perhaps what the former Princess Leia would become best known for. And in her debut novel , the actress-turned-writer makes great use of her enviable way with words. > GO TO STORY

Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf essay illustration for "Postcards From the Edge" by Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher debut novel ‘Postcards From the Edge’

FOB 14

What Makes Sammy Run?

(Budd Schulberg, 1941)

"What Makes Sammy Run?" by Budd Schulberg

Much of the Hollywood that Schulberg imagined in this 1941 classic doesn’t exist anymore — gone are the studio structure and the contract screenwriters, not to mention much of the casual bigotry. But amoral striving? Talentless hacks somehow reaching the top of the heap? That stuff is deathless, and in Sammy Glick, Schulberg invented one of the most enduring craven strivers in American literature. Starting as a copy boy at a New York paper, Glick connives, plagiarizes, seduces and schemes his way into Hollywood from writer to producer to studio head. (That’s not a spoiler: It’s clear from the start that Schulberg will have his antihero fail upward to extremes.) The book is narrated by Al, a humbler colleague bemusedly observing Glick’s rise, and the frisson between the two underscores the inherent tension in moviemaking: How cruel people can be for the sake of making something that captures our hearts. — M A

FOB 13

The Kid Stays in the Picture

(Robert Evans, 1994)

"The Kid Stays in the Picture: A Notorious Life" by Robert Evans

When Evans’ autobiography was adapted into a film in 2002, the cover for the book’s movie tie-in edition advertised what had drawn readers to this Hollywood tell-all: “Success. Scandal. Sex. Tragedy. Infamy,” its cover read. “And that’s just the first chapter …” Such a titillating promise was warranted. Evans’ life and career was rife with the kind of juicy anecdotes that make such memoirs endlessly enjoyable reads, and his is unparalleled in that regard. It tracks his rise from radio star hand-plucked into movie screen stardom by Norma Shearer through his later days running Paramount Pictures , shepherding the studio through pics such as “The Odd Couple,” “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Godfather.” But Evans’ natural raconteur instincts are even better suited to depicting his cocaine benders, explaining his implication in “The Cotton Club Murders” case and detailing how he found his way back on top in a town that loves a good comeback story. — Betancourt

FOB 12

The Pat Hobby Stories

(F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1940-41)

"The Pat Hobby Stories" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

These 17 short stories, originally published by Esquire and later collected in a 1962 book, chronicle the misadventures of a failing, flailing screenwriter, a role that Fitzgerald, whose downward spiral accelerated when he went west to write for the pictures, knew all too well. Vain, often drunk, desperate to get a leg up, the title character weaves in and out of humiliating scenarios, scraping by with a sense of self-inflation to match his appetite for self-destruction. “The Last Tycoon,” Fitzgerald’s unfinished novel based on the life of producer Irving Thalberg, was the author’s Hollywood tragedy; the Hobby stories are the comedy, and they remain side-splittingly funny. As a screenwriter, Hobby was once heralded as “a good man for structure,” which seems appropriate; these stories bend in all the right places. To modern eyes, in their depiction of zigzagging pettiness, they feel like progenitors of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Fitzgerald died of a heart attack in 1940, before the last of the Hobby stories were published. — C V

FOB 11

Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War

(Mark Harris, 2014)

"Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War" by Mark Harris

None of Harris’ three books would be out of place on this list. “Pictures at a Revolution” is a fascinating portrait of the highs and lows of an industry in tumult, and “Mike Nichols: A Life” is an unputdownable biography of one of modern Hollywood’s most perceptive filmmakers. But it’s to “Five Came Back” that I continue to turn in something like awe: Across five filmmakers and nearly a decade, through archival research and careful criticism, the author manages to construct an accessible yet never-less-than-rigorous history of Hollywood at war — a subject that has not received the same attention in mainstream film writing as the Hollywood Renaissance or the rise of the franchise blockbuster. Perhaps most thrilling, Harris’ approach allows us to see the effect John Ford, George Stevens, John Huston, William Wyler and Frank Capra had on the American war effort as well as the effect it had on them. You’ll never look at any of their filmographies the same way again. — Brennan

FOB 10

Making Movies

(Sidney Lumet, 1995)

"Making Movies" by Sidney Lumet

Wise, plainspoken and infused with disarming humility, the late Lumet’s book is like a master class with a teacher you want to hang out with all the time. “We really do know what we’re doing,” he writes. “It only looks like we don’t.” Lumet certainly did, and with directorial credits including “12 Angry Men,” “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Network,” he made it look easy. Guiding the reader through the various elements of filmmaking, from writing and shooting to acting and editing, Lumet is far more compassionate than vindictive. “They’re annoying, publicists, but their lives are hell.” “I love actors. I love them because they’re brave.” But this is no catalog of platitudes. “Making Movies” is stocked with usable advice and examples, the time he didn’t think Paul Newman was quite drilling into his character in “The Verdict,” sent him home for the weekend and got the Newman magic on Monday. “Paul is a shy man,” Lumet writes. “And a wonderful actor. And a race car driver. And gorgeous.” — C V

FOB 9

Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and Rock ‘n’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood

(Peter Biskind, 1998)

"Easy Riders, Raging Bulls" by Peter Biskind

Reassuringly, the two golden ages of American film each arrived in the wake of utter chaos. The roughly simultaneous advent of talking pictures and the Great Depression ushered in the glories of the 1930s; decades later, the collapse of both the Hollywood studio system and American optimism in Vietnam helped soften the ground for such 1970s classics as “Chinatown,” “The Godfather Part II” and “The Conversation.” > GO TO STORY

Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf illustration for "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls" by Peter Biskind

An addictively readable history of the Hollywood Renaissance

FOB 8

Interior Chinatown

(Charles Yu, 2020)

"Interior Chinatown" by Charles Yu

Starring Generic Asian Man: The background players take central stage in this hilarious Hollywood novel, winner of the 2020 National Book Award. Our hero, often seen on the edges of a “Law & Order”-type television show, wants more. He lives in a crummy apartment building above a Chinese restaurant, where people from across Asia get lumped together, their individuality shown to us but not the world. Informed by his experience as a second-generation Taiwanese American, Yu skewers shallow racism and toys with cultural tropes. Told in the form of a screenplay — Yu was a writer on “Westworld” — “Interior Chinatown” is a love story, a coming-of-age story, a satire and literary accomplishment. The phrase “Interior Chinatown” is, yes, screenplay shorthand for a scene’s setting, but it also reflects the interior narrative only a novel can explore. — C K

FOB 7

(Lillian Ross, 1952)

"Picture" by Lillian Ross

The book is usually better than the movie. That’s certainly the case with Stephen Crane’s hallucinatory 1895 Civil War novel, “The Red Badge of Courage,” the source of a 1951 film version that flopped thanks in part to studio meddling. But sometimes the book about the adaptation is better than either. Ross’ 1952 book on the making of “Badge,” originally written for the New Yorker, is a classic of fly-on-the-wall reportage, following director John Huston, MGM studio heads and the film’s cast and crew from conception to shooting to post-release excuse-making. Ross can be meticulous almost to the point of fustiness; she seemingly got hold of every internal memo and expense sheet. But there are few better books about the soup-to-nuts creation of a film, and it’s a brilliant profile of Huston, who’s trying to both gladhand the execs and keep them at arm’s length. — MA

FOB 6

(Michael Tolkin, 1988)

"The Player" by Michael Tolkin

A postcard arrives at Griffin Mill’s office one day: “You said you’d get back to me. I’m still waiting.” The young Hollywood exec, ambitious to a fault as he climbs his way to the top, wavers over telling anyone about what soon becomes a series of death threats from, of all things, an aggrieved writer. Making savvy use of that thriller conceit, Tolkin’s wildly entertaining first novel offers a front-row seat to the self-absorption that characterizes those who would (and do) become mythmakers in Tinseltown. As Mill goes to increasingly deranged lengths to identify who is behind those ominous missives — all while making sure his position at the studio isn’t eclipsed by any newcomers, power lunches taking precedence over anything else — Tolkin paints a scathing portrait of a city of dealers and players who’d do anything to win. Yes, even murder. — MB

FOB 5

Adventures in the Screen Trade

(William Goldman, 1983)

"Adventures in the Screen Trade" by Willliam Goldman

Best remembered now for “The Princess Bride” — he wrote both the novel and the screenplay — Goldman was previously best known for his Oscar-winning screenplay for “All the President’s Men,” the indelible story of two journalists chasing the truth behind Watergate. Before that, though, he was the guy who created “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” a box-office smash, a buddy film western with an entirely unexpected ending. How on earth did the same person write all those classic films and more (“Misery,” “Harper,” “Marathon Man”)? Imagine sitting down at a bar next to him and getting a chance to ask. This book is that conversational — chatty, filled with vivid anecdotes, revealing industry secrets. Part self-effacing memoir, part how-to for writing screenplays, and a window into how the levers of power worked in Hollywood, this book is a stone-cold classic. — CK

FOB 4

(Elmore Leonard, 1990)

"Get Shorty: A Novel" by Elmore Leonard

Suave loan shark Ernesto “Chili” Palmer is our guide through this amusing crime saga set in the underbelly of the seemingly glamorous world of Hollywood moviemaking. Tasked with collecting the cash that Los Angeles-based producer Harry Zimm owes a Las Vegas casino, Chili quickly becomes entangled in backdoor deals to finance prospective film productions. As increasingly dangerous parties become tangentially involved, Chili and Zimm risk losing more than just their big-screen aspirations. Barry Sonnenfeld’s 1995 big-screen adaptation of the tome starred John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo and Danny DeVito and became a critical and financial success. In 2017, a TV series also based on Leonard’s novel premiered on Epix (now MGM+). — CA

FOB 3

Hitchcock/Truffaut

(François Truffaut, 1967)

"Hitchcock" by François Truffaut

In a quarter-century or so of elementary, secondary, undergraduate and graduate schooling, no course cemented itself as firmly in my mind as USC professor Drew Casper’s exhaustive seminar on Alfred Hitchcock — thanks to the master of suspense himself, Casper’s lively lectures and this book. “Hitchcock/Truffaut” is the inimitable, and today inconceivable, product of a 50-hour interview in which the French filmmaker and critic pressed the idol of the Cahiers du Cinéma set “to reveal all his secrets.” The result exemplifies the politique des auteurs , or auteur theory, as thoroughly as any manifesto, but “Hitchcock” isn’t useful merely for its interest in the director’s “minor” works, or for the insights Truffaut draws out that no other interlocutor ever did. It is, above all, detailed proof that art, though subject to the forces of chance and the shifting winds of culture, is ultimately about choices. This star, this shot, this cut, this color: From such decisions the great masterpieces of Hollywood cinema are made. — Brennan

FOB 2

The Day of the Locust

(Nathanael West, 1939)

Locust

In West’s scabrous novel, Hollywood is a freak show fated to end in apocalypse, inhabited by deluded hangers-on convinced of their importance and unwilling to confront their mediocrity (West originally titled his book “The Cheated”). Yale-trained artist Tod Hackett, toiling as a studio scene designer, doesn’t just see the fire coming; he’s hard at work predicting and depicting it in a painting called “The Burning of Los Angeles.” But most of the characters have already seen their dreams burn down: Faye Greener, a beautiful but talentless actor; her father, an old vaudevillian reduced to peddling silver polish; and a host of other eccentrics and grotesques. For West, whose own screenwriting career was getting started when he died in a car crash in 1940, Hollywood was where the American Dream went to die. — CV

FOB 1

Play It As It Lays

(Joan Didion, 1970)

Play it as it lays

Maria Wyeth came to Hollywood for the same reason as the rest of us: to escape from someplace else. When we meet her in “Play It As It Lays,” though, the actor’s hometown of Silver Wells, since swallowed by a missile range in the Nevada desert, has regained a certain appeal, “the restorative power of desolation.” After all, her parents are dead, her marriage is disintegrating, her child is institutionalized, her career is in free fall. Only her father’s advice to her, that life itself is a crap game , has held up over time. “Everything goes,” she laments. “I am working very hard at not thinking about how everything goes.” > GO TO STORY

Illustration for Festival of Books Premium: "Play It As It Lays" by Joan Didion

What Joan Didion’s broken Hollywood can teach us about our own

benefits of hobby essay

Matt Brennan is a Los Angeles Times’ deputy editor for entertainment and arts. Born in the Boston area, educated at USC and an adoptive New Orleanian for nearly 10 years, he returned to Los Angeles in 2019 as the newsroom’s television editor. He previously served as TV editor at Paste Magazine, and his writing has also appeared in Indiewire, Slate, Deadspin and numerous other publications.

benefits of hobby essay

Kay Scanlon is an art director at the Los Angeles Times. She works on the Sunday Calendar and Weekend sections and has led projects such as the annual 101 Best Restaurants guide. Prior to joining The Times in 2021, she art-directed MovieMaker magazine and contributed award-winning design at the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News and Newsday. Scanlon graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in English and is certified in graphic design from Otis College of Art and Design. Her work has been recognized by the Society for News Design, Society of Publication Designers and the California News Publishers Assn.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Simone Gorrindo

A journalist grapples with her new identity as an Army wife

April 8, 2024

Souther California Bestsellers

The week’s bestselling books, April 7

April 3, 2024

S.J. Rozan, John Shen Yen Nee, Nova Jacobs and Sarah Langan

3 best mystery books to read this spring

A seated woman with long light brown hair wearing a black long-sleeve sweater and folding her arms on a table in front of her

L.A. author Kathryn Scanlan wins $175,000 literary prize: ‘Baffling and wonderful’

April 2, 2024

IMAGES

  1. Benefits of Pursuing a Hobby Essay Example

    benefits of hobby essay

  2. 22 Benefits of Having a Hobby or Enjoying a Leisure Activity in 2021

    benefits of hobby essay

  3. My Hobby Essay

    benefits of hobby essay

  4. My Hobby Essay for Students and Children in 1000 Words

    benefits of hobby essay

  5. The Benefits Of Having Your Hobby To Be Your Job: [Essay Example], 1006

    benefits of hobby essay

  6. The Types Of Hobbies That Are Good For Students Essay

    benefits of hobby essay

VIDEO

  1. My hobby essay in hindi

  2. My hobby 10 lines in English #/ my hobby essay on 10 lines #/ my hobby essay in English #/

  3. My Hobby/Essay Writing 15 lines

  4. Essay On My Hobby in English|| 10 Lines on my hobby in English

  5. My Hobby Essay presentation with quotations for class 10th and 12th🌠🌠

  6. 10 Lines on My Hobby Cycling in English| Essay on Hobby Essay|

COMMENTS

  1. The Importance of Having a Hobby Essay Example

    1. Hobbies can help us to distress. Having several hobbies can provide us with an opportunity to enrich our lives because they can allow us to distress. Having hobbies can help us to improve our mental and physical health, as well as lowering our risk of having depression and critical illness. Hobbies can increase a person's sense of identity ...

  2. Why Hobbies Are Important?

    Physical. Physical hobbies have clear physiological benefits because they increase both your heart rate and brain function. Other benefits include lower blood pressure, weight loss, building muscle, strengthening bones, and an overall increase in energy. Examples: hiking, camping, swimming, yoga, or martial arts.

  3. Hobbies and Their Importance in People's Lives Essay

    As one can see, hobbies enable people to develop as individuals and realize their potential to the fullest. To begin with, they are very psychologically satisfying, and engaging in one's hobby is a particularly effective way of relieving stress. In a similar vein, the benefits of the sense of relaxation and self-confidence that hobbies ...

  4. 22 Benefits of Having a Hobby or Enjoying a Leisure Activity

    Having a hobby will help you grow in many ways, including exposing you to diversity, new opinions, and new ways to look at life. 12. Hobbies improve your memory. You likely already assume that mentally intensive hobbies such as playing chess or learning computer coding can give your brain an excellent workout.

  5. Essay on My Hobby for Students and Children

    500+ Words Essay On My Hobby. Hobbies play a very important role in our lives. They occupy our minds when we are free and also make us happy. Hobbies are our escape from the real world that makes us forget our worries. Moreover, they make our lives interesting and enjoyable. If we look at it, all our hobbies are very useful for us.

  6. Essays About Hobbies: Top 5 Examples And 9 Prompts

    5 Essay Examples About Hobbies 1. People Share The Hobbies That Changed Their Relationship With Work: 'It Has Truly Been Mind Blowing' by Faima Barker "Hobbies are subjective - one person's enjoyment might be another person's idea of boredom - but no matter what brings someone happiness, hobbies and interests outside of work are the ultimate acts of resistance against capitalism."

  7. Can Hobbies Actually Make You a Better Person?

    When life gets busy, our hobbies are one of the first things to go out the window. But research shows that taking part in leisure activities can actually have a positive impact on our overall ...

  8. Hobby Essay

    This hobby essay explores the profound benefits that hobbies offer and provides a personal insight into the transformational journey sparked by my favorite hobby. Benefits of Having a Hobby. Having a hobby offers numerous advantages that contribute to our overall well-being. Firstly, hobbies provide a much-needed break from the hustle and ...

  9. Hobbies Essay: Topics, Writing Tips, Examples, & My Hobby Essay Outline

    Body paragraph 1: Discovery and development. Describe how you got into this activity, what drew you to it, and how you progressed in this hobby. Body paragraph 2: Benefits and rewards. Dwell on how this hobby benefits you physically, mentally, emotionally, or socially. Body paragraph 3: Challenges and obstacles.

  10. 71 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    A good thesis should include all the main points of your essay. To make this task easier for you, we've prepared some examples of thesis statements about hobbies. Have a look: Dancing is an excellent hobby for college students because it helps to relieve stress and has numerous health benefits.

  11. The Significance of Hobbies: A Holistic Approach to Well-being

    The essence of a hobby lies in its positive impact on an individual's well-being, offering a break from the routine and contributing to a holistic sense of fulfillment. This essay explores the multifaceted aspects of hobbies, their importance, and their role in promoting both mental and physical health. Diverse Hobbies: A Personal Exploration ...

  12. Life of a Student: The Importance of Having a Hobby

    Allows You to De-stress. Hobbies give you an opportunity to enhance your life. Hobbies allow you to destress yourself while remaining mentally productive. Having hobbies promotes better health and may lower the risk of having high blood pressure. Enjoying a few hours of your hobby a week can also reduce the risk of depression and dementia.

  13. Essay on My Hobby for Students and Professionals

    Sample Essay in 500 words. Here is a sample essay on my hobby that students can refer to. Routine work makes us monotonous. To break it we often look for interesting and exciting things to do. Hobbies are the best way to divert attention side by side with work. We need entertainment from time to time.

  14. 113 Hobby Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    If you're looking for some inspiration for a new hobby or want to explore different ideas, here are 113 hobby essay topic ideas and examples to get you started: Gardening: Why gardening is a therapeutic hobby. Cooking: The joy of experimenting with new recipes. Painting: How painting can be a form of self-expression.

  15. Hobby Essay Examples

    Hobby Essay Examples Essays about hobbies hold significant importance as they provide insights into the personal interests, passions, and creative outlets that enrich individuals' lives. The purpose of such essays is to celebrate the diversity of human pursuits, highlight the benefits of engaging in hobbies, and explore the connections ...

  16. Five Benefits of Having a Hobby

    Turning exercise into a hobby will also have flow-on effects from increased confidence, increased energy levels and an overall increase in your physical health. Hobbies can open up your world. Hobbies can encourage you to stretch the limits of your imagination, see the world in a new way or provide you with the mental space to come up with ...

  17. Essay on My Favourite Hobby

    Conclusion. In conclusion, reading is my favourite hobby because it provides entertainment, fosters empathy, enhances cognitive abilities, and serves as a source of inspiration. It is a hobby that requires nothing but a book and a bit of time, yet it offers immense benefits. In the words of George R.R. Martin, "A reader lives a thousand lives ...

  18. IELTS Essay On Hobbies: IELTS Writing Task 2 Hobbies Essay Samples

    Sample Answers. Here are two sample answers that will guide you on getting a high band score in the hobbies theme essay for IELTS Writing Task 2. Question: Few people devote time to hobbies these days. Why do you think this is the case, and what effect does this have on an individual and society in general?

  19. 500+Words Essay on My Hobby in English

    500+ Word Essay on My Hobby: Dancing. Dancing is not just a hobby; it is a passion that ignites my soul and fills my life with joy, expression, and creativity. From a young age, I have been drawn to the art of dance, finding solace and freedom in the movement of my body to the rhythm of music.

  20. Why Are Hobbies Important? 15 Powerful Benefits of Hobbies

    14. Hobbies Help You To Improve Yourself. 15. Hobbies Help You To Expand Your Horizons. Wrapping Up. 1. Hobbies Keep Boredom at Bay. Avoiding boredom is perhaps the main reason why people get into hobbies. Boredom and idleness come with their own set of challenges.

  21. The Big Impact of a Small Hobby

    In fact, it's not just making art that improves health and mood. Almost any hobby or act of leisure helps. A 2013 study at Pennsylvania State University found that gardening, sewing, completing ...

  22. My Hobby Essay for Students and Children in 1000 Words

    A hobby is such an activity that is really beneficial for our mental health. It reduces our stress, improves our mental well-being and creates a feeling of satisfaction and happiness in our minds. Here are some of the significant benefits that we get from our hobbies. 1. Stress reliever.

  23. Free Essay: benefit of hobby

    benefit of hobby. Leisure activities and hobbies are those things that we can take part in enthusiastically. It is very necessary for us to have a hobby and activity to keep ourselves busy in our spare time; otherwise we might spend our leisure time on entertaining games which are either mindless or wasteful. There are many benefits hobbies and ...

  24. Task 2 Tutoring as a hobby 4.docx

    This essay aims to evaluate the benefits of pursuing tutoring as a hobby, highlighting how it improves academic and communication skills, fosters personal growth and contributes to the overall well-being of both the tutor and the student. Thesis Statement: The pursuit of tutoring as a hobby provides individuals with opportunities to enhance ...

  25. Opinion

    A total eclipse elicits a unique, visceral, primeval feeling that cannot be evoked by a photograph or a video or a newspaper article, and that can be experienced only within the path of totality ...

  26. What the World Has Learned From Past Eclipses

    SSPL-Getty Images. C louds scudded over the small volcanic island of Principe, off the western coast of Africa, on the afternoon of May 29, 1919. Arthur Eddington, director of the Cambridge ...

  27. The 50 best Hollywood books of all time

    Everybody Thought We Were Crazy: Dennis Hopper, Brooke Hayward, and 1960s Los Angeles. (Mark Rozzo, 2022) Advertisement. Hopper is the bold-faced name, but Hayward is the heart of this intimate ...