For me, hobbies (and I have more than one) are what I do in my spare time without monetary compensation. So I could say writing is a hobby, as is art, because I haven’t, and do not expect to, receive any pay for these activities. Music, on the other hand, is transitioning into a hobby; I spent almost 50 years as a professional musician, but now in my 60s I no longer “gig” much, even though I still play and write music for personal satisfaction, much like I collect Roman coins and build furniture.

I think it is the word that is outdated. It implies chemistry sets, whittling, and painting by numbers, activities that, while still pursued by many, are from the past, the 1950s or earlier. Do I think having “hobbies” is important? For myself, absolutely, since I am retired and could easily (and most often do) turn into recliner grandpa. Getting off of Twitter (a hobby? that would be debatable) and finishing the drawing of my wife I started months ago would be better for my ass and my brain.

So thanks, Kris, once again you have stimulated my almost inactive brain cells!