National Hobby Month

Hobbies – most people have at least one if not more! From reading to gaming, from knitting to whittling, most folks have something that keeps their minds, hands or bodies busy. After all, being active and creative is a natural part of being human.

And celebrating is also deeply human, which is why it’s time for National Hobby Month!

History of National Hobby Month

Since humans became sentient, there have always been hobbies. It likely started out with smaller hobbies, such as swimming, hunting, and drawing on cave walls. People have always done things to keep themselves busy during the long days, but where did the word hobby come from?

The origins of the word hobby suggest that initially it was given to pursuits that others thought to be somewhat childish or trivial. However, as early as 1676 Sir Matthew Hale, in Contemplations Moral and Divine, wrote “Almost every person hath some hobby horse or other wherein he prides himself.” He was acknowledging that a “hobby horse” produces a legitimate sense of pride.

By the mid-18th century hobbies flourished as working people had more regular hours of work and greater leisure time to be creative and imaginative with their hands. They spent more time to pursue interests that brought them satisfaction.

In more recent times, hobbies have been recognized as healthy pursuits that keep minds and bodies active and interested in life, even contributing to longevity in life. Some doctors even recommend hobbies as a way to promote well-being and reduce the stress of daily life.

National Hobby Month was established sometime in the early 2000s to promote the benefits and encourage the pursuit of hobbies for everyone. It takes place in January because that it is a time when everyone is turning over a new leaf and might need some focused downtime after the chaos of the holiday season.

National Hobby Month is an annual event celebrated by crafters, athletes, artists, community centers, libraries, teachers and so many others all around the country!

How to Celebrate National Hobby Month

All month long, this celebration is one of the easiest things to do because it is literally about doing something you love! Take a look at some of these ideas for celebrating National Hobby Month:

Start a New Hobby

For those who don’t already have a hobby, or they just need a new spark in their lives, try a new one in celebration of National Hobby Month. Perhaps this could include collection something like stamps, rocks, trading cards, foreign currency, comic books or bottle caps. Gardening, cooking, hiking, writing, photography and many others might also make the list.

Bring Back an Old Hobby

Some folks might find that National Hobby Month is a perfect time to revive something that used to be fun for them. Perhaps it has been years, or even decades, since sitting next to Grandma and learning how to crochet or embroider. Maybe there was a time when writing fiction was a pursuit of the imagination that could be revived. Think back to things that brought joy in the younger years and pick them back up again!

Join a Hobby Group

One good way to become a bit more social and make new friends is by joining a group of hobbyists. Pottery enthusiasts, book clubs, singing groups, trivia nights, amateur theater and so many other activites can be done in the company of others who hold similar passions. It’s a super fun way to get connected and stay more involved.