The Lost Art of Hobbies
And How to Bring Yours Back to Life
When someone asks, “What are your hobbies?” many of us fumble. The question feels outdated. Between work, family, life admin, screens … hobbies seem like a luxury. Yet maybe that’s exactly why they matter more than ever.
A Look Back: Hobbies in the UK Over the Decades
Forty or so years ago, hobbies looked different. They were often analog, community-based and linked to local clubs, arts, DIY or weekend pastimes. Over time technology, work patterns, urban lifestyles and digital distractions shifted what “free time” looks like.
Some notable shifts:
A 2016 study by AXA found that although 95 % of British adults said they had a hobby, many admitted they’d given up at least one due to life changes (job, children) - two big culprits of abandoned hobbies. AXA UK home page
The same study noted that gaming and coding were now more popular than football (!) among hobbies - signalling how digital pastimes have overtaken traditional ones. AXA UK home page
Long-term leisure time data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics indicates that people aged 25–34 had far less leisure time than older adults (4 h 46 mins/day vs 7 h 10 mins for 65+) - showing how life stage affects access to hobbies. Parliament Research Briefings
In 2019, the British Heart Foundation reported the “shelf-life” of a hobby in Britain was just 16 months on average, with many admitted to spending money on a hobby they quickly abandoned. British Heart Foundation
What this tells us: hobbies haven’t died out - they've evolved. Some traditional ones fade, new ones emerge and the pressures on time and attention have never been greater.
What’s Popular Today - And Why?
In recent years the landscape of hobbies in the UK has changed in fascinating ways:
During the Covid-19 lockdowns, a survey by Samsung showed 59 % of Brits found a new hobby and outdoor pursuits like walking, running, gardening surged. Samsung Global Newsroom+1
A recent research piece found that Brits waste £3.88 billion/year on hobbies they then abandon after around four months. NationalWorld
There’s also been a revival of “slow hobbies” - knitting, crafts, photography - connected to mindfulness, nostalgia and analogue escape. For example, a 2025 article in The Times reported that only 27 % of respondents felt confident using a sewing machine and just 16 % reported being proficient at knitting - signalling how these traditional hobbies are less common but seeing niche resurgence. The Times
So what are people doing now?
More outdoor and nature-based: walking trails, wild swims, running.
More digital hybrids: photography, gaming, online tutorials.
More wellbeing-focused: crafts, journalling, gardening, making.
More “hobby as side-hustle” or skill building: A 2021 report found that 12 % of UK adults planned to turn a hobby into a second income and 8 % hoped it would become a career. Aviva
Why the Question “Do You Have Hobbies?” Feels Harder Than Ever
There are a few reasons we freeze when asked about our hobbies:
Time scarcity: With longer working hours, commuting, remote work blur, parenting and life admin, finding “free” time is harder.
Digital saturation: Screen time, social media and streaming absorb what might once have been hobby time.
Hobby overload / choice paralysis: With so much on offer, picking one can feel overwhelming.
Performance pressure: Hobbies used to be for fun; now some feel they must be “productive” or shareable.
Resources and cost: As the BHF found, many start hobbies, spend money, but then give up. Life changes (job, children) often mean hobbies get dropped. AXA UK home page+1
And yet - ironically - these pressures make hobbies even more essential.
Why Hobbies Matter - Especially in Our Fast-Paced Lives
At Moco Coaching, we believe hobbies are far more than a way to fill spare time - they’re a vital part of resilience, identity and wellbeing. When you engage in something you love, you:
Experience flow: that immersive state of focus that lowers anxiety and boosts creativity.
Reconnect with your true self - beyond job titles, daily roles, expectations.
Create space to breathe, to play, to be imperfect.
Build community and connection: hobbies often link us to other people, other worlds.
Resist burnout: hobbies are not optional extras - they’re lifelines.
In a world where hobbies have changed and time is squeezed, cultivating something for you becomes an act of self-leadership.
How to Reclaim Hobby Time - A Mini Guide
Start small: Ten minutes a week counts. A hobby doesn’t need to earn money or impress anyone.
Choose for the joy, not the result: If it feels like “another thing to do”, drop it.
Reflect on what used to bring you pleasure: Old hobbies often point to deeper parts of you.
Schedule it in: Block time like any other commitment.
Allow imperfection: Hobbies are not about being the best - they’re about being inspired.
Adjust for modern life: Many hobbies now have online, hybrid or micro-formats (podcasting, quick crafts, walking + audio).
Hobbies haven’t died out - they’ve transformed. They’ve had to adapt to digital life, busy schedules, changing identities and new values. The question isn’t “Do people have hobbies?” but “Do we keep giving ourselves permission to have them?”
At Moco Coaching, we believe that saying yes to one hobby is saying yes to your wellbeing, your creativity and your connectedness. Because in the end, what you do outside of work and roles matters - not because it makes you more “productive”, but because it makes you more you.
Let’s give ourselves the time, the space and the kindness to play. 🌿