Hobbyless
A couple of weeks ago I learned the German phrase “hobbyloses verhalten,” which means “hobbyless behavior.” One example I found is that if a person spends their days engaging in pointless internet arguments with strangers, they are exhibiting hobbyless behavior. This is not the first time I have found a German word or behavior that I can get behind, but this is one of the more on-point. The idea is that if have one or more hobbies, you will not have time nor inclination to engage in pointless or destructive behaviors.
Anyone who has spent much time around me has likely herd me say, “That person just needs to learn how to knit.” I usually say this when I hear stories of people who are making problems for themselves in one way or another. When I say this, knitting is really a stand-in word to cover any kind of constructive, productive interest or hobby. Evidently, some folks in Germany have reached the same conclusion.
I will not name other examples of hobbyless behavior I have personally witnessed because I do not want anyone to feel personally called out, but I feel sure most of you know it when you see it, even in yourself. I will admit that I sometimes catch myself entering the realm of hobbyless behavior, and it is miserable! As soon as I realize what is happening, guess what I do—I start doing something productive. Here at home, there is always some project-half-done I can pick up and start anew along with more that are made up into kits so they can easily be started. If I am away from home, I almost always have, at a minimum, a sketchbook along with a few pencils and pens.
Think of how much time, trouble, and money could be saved if everyone had a hobby or two or fourteen! It does not have to be specifically making things, but it does need to be productive or constructive. Learning or practicing a skill that one can continue to grow and perfect is especially helpful, for example, playing a musical instrument. Personally, I have never gotten into collecting in a big way, but I know of many people with interesting collecting hobbies. One person I know collects heart-shaped things she finds, or sometimes photos of heart-shaped things. Exercise of various kinds make great hobbies, even something as simple as walking or hiking.
The possibilities of hobbylessbehavior-beating hobbies is really endless. There is no reason why anyone should waste this one precious life doing pointless or destructive things.