Tita’s Note: This piece is something I originally wrote years ago for another blog, sometime around 2021–2023, right after the pandemic. I’ve been thinking about it again lately, and I feel it still resonates, maybe even more now. Minimalism isn’t just about the things we own, but also about how we spend our time and energy. Revisiting this post reminded me why I started rethinking my hobbies in the first place, and I hope it gives you something to reflect on, too.

There is a trending song that’s being used on a lot of Instagram Reels, and it starts with something like, “You wanna know what my problem is? I just got too many hobbies…” The song couldn’t describe my life more perfectly. I’ll be the first to admit that I have a lot of interests. Without skipping a beat, I can name a few hobbies that I actively enjoy and a few more that I enjoy occasionally.

When the pandemic hit, we were all forced to stay indoors for extended periods of time, during which I missed all the fun outdoor activities that I used to do and even regret the activities that I wanted to try but haven’t done yet. I think the pandemic really allowed us time to reflect on the things that we still want to experience in life.

So when the lockdown ended and restrictions were loosened, I allowed myself to experience the things that I’ve always wanted—from new hobbies like cycling, scuba diving, and callisthenics to old ones like hiking, running, and yoga.

Yes, I was one of the cyclists born out of the pandemic. I’ve always wanted to learn how to ride the bike properly and the pandemic was the perfect time to learn with less cars on the street. I’ve even tried one-off activities like parasailing and learning how to drive a motorcycle.

No mistake, I’ve enjoyed everything that I tried my hands on. I don’t normally regret experiences, even if they were something I didn’t particularly enjoy at the time. I mean, how will you know, right? But as time went by, and I’ve been able to slow down and reflect, I’ve realized there’s simply not enough time for all of my interests.

So why am I rethinking my hobbies?

To be honest, I found myself getting exhausted after being out every weekend for almost a year. My energy was also draining from all the things competing for my attention. I simply don’t have enough time to do all of the things I want to dabble in, not unless I give up other things that are equally or more important. I also missed the slower things that I love to do like staying home and reading a book.

At the same time, virtually every hobby has some sort of cost, usually a fairly steep startup cost and a smaller yet relevant maintenance cost. The more hobbies I choose to dabble in, the less time I have for each hobby and the higher cost for my hobbies as a whole.

So in true minimalist fashion, I asked myself which of my hobbies are truly important and bring me joy. I simply have to accept the fact that I can’t do it and have it all.

How can you tell when it’s time to actually move on?

Some things are easy to let go of, but when it comes to hobbies, it can be a little more complicated, especially if we’ve tied our identity to these hobbies. And we really don’t want to deal with sunk costs if we’ve spent a significant amount of money.

Here are some basic questions to ask yourself about your hobbies:

Where did this hobby come from?

Or another way of phrasing it: whose interest is it, anyway? Sometimes the interests we develop have less to do with the activity itself and more to do with the people we do it with. Just because you’ve inherited an interest from someone else doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good fit for you, but if you feel like you’re outgrowing a hobby and it wasn’t yours to begin with, then it might be time to move on.

How does it make you feel?

Maybe this is obvious, but sometimes taking time to consider how you actually feel about something gets lost in the shuffle. Does your hobby make you happy? If not, it may be time to let go.

How does it make other people feel? Does it matter?

You don’t necessarily need the support of others in your life to pursue an interest, but it certainly makes it easier. If the people in your life whose opinions you value and respect are urging you to drop a habit or hobby, hear them out. They may be raising good points.

Why are you re-evaluating?

Sometimes we can tell when things just aren’t right. Even if you can’t pinpoint why, you might simply know it’s time to leave a particular interest behind.

It’s not giving up, but letting go

The solution is quite simple. Figure out a small handful of core hobbies to focus on and discard the rest. If you find yourself with more hobbies and interests than you can handle and you sometimes feel like you’re neglecting the pursuit of something more important in your life, look at paring back on the number of hobbies and activities in your life. You’ll feel refreshed, and your wallet will be pleased too.

Now, I only have a few hobbies that I really love. I’ve patterned it after the 5 types of hobbies we all need to develop for self-improvement:

• Hobbies that expand your mindset.
• Hobbies that keep you creative.
• Hobbies that keep you in shape.
• Hobbies that build your knowledge.
• Hobbies to help you socialize.

This is not to say that I’m not willing to try new experiences if the opportunity presents itself. I’d much rather spend on experiences over things anytime.

The Essentialist Way

Unfortunately, we live in a world where it’s considered a positive thing to take on more and more, thinking that the end result will be greater success. Greg Mckeown, the author of one of my favorite books Essentialism, said it best when he said:

Rethinking your hobbies is a great way to evaluate what activities bring you joy and fulfillment, and to make changes that align with your current interests and goals. It’s important to have a balance between work and social and leisure activities, ones that align with your financial goals too.

Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s okay to change your mind and move on from a hobby if it is no longer interesting or fulfilling. The key is to find a balance that works for you and allows you to live a meaningful life.

Ultimately, deciding to quit a hobby does not make you a failure. Instead, abandoned hobbies might be an indication of growth, and an opportunity to use the freed-up time and space on something that is more productive, joyful, and restorative.

Tita’s Reflection (2025)

Looking back, I realize that rethinking hobbies is never a one-time decision. Just like with minimalism and even money, it’s an ongoing assessment. Some hobbies have stayed with me, others I’ve gracefully let go of, and a few new ones have caught my interest.

What matters most is recognizing what truly adds joy, energy, and balance to my life right now. As freelancers, our time and resources are limited, so being intentional about where we spend them makes all the difference. I’ve learned that it’s okay to outgrow hobbies, and it’s okay to revisit them later if they still call to me.

In the end, it’s less about doing everything and more about making space for what matters.