Discovering Happiness Beyond Work: A Year of Exploring Hobbies
After years in the corporate world and academia, a professor at a leading business school embarked on an eye-opening journey in Denmark—a country renowned for its happiness and work-life balance. Inspired by a course on happiness, she observed how Danes seamlessly integrate hobbies into their lives as a form of self-care and stress relief. Curious whether this approach could help her unwind from her intense, Type-A lifestyle, she dedicated an entire year to trying out 17 diverse hobbies.
A Year of Experimentation: From Baking to Rock Climbing
Over 12 months, she immersed herself in activities ranging from baking and pottery to horseback riding and rock climbing. This intensive exploration not only broke her monotonous routines but profoundly reshaped how she viewed leisure, self-care, and community.
1. Breaking Free from Doomscrolling
Initially skeptical about finding time, she quickly discovered hidden pockets for hobbies by abandoning her nightly habit of multitasking with TV and social media. Engrossed in hands-on activities, she found her phone naturally sidelined, freeing her from the draining cycle of endless scrolling. This shift gave her a refreshing sense of control and lowered her stress levels.
2. Bookmarking Hobbies for Future Seasons
Woodworking captured her imagination, but its practical challenges with young children made it unfeasible at the time. Yet, a chance invitation reignited her passion, helping her realize some hobbies only fit certain life phases. Instead of abandoning interests, she learned to envision a future moment when she could fully embrace them.
3. Redefining Work Versus Play
She uncovered that what feels like work to one person can be pure joy to another. For example, kitchen work stressed her out, but baking—a quieter, more deliberate process—became soothing. Recognizing that hobbies are personal, she embraced activities that truly brought her joy without worrying about conventional labels.
4. A New Take on Self-Care
Previously, frequent spa visits and beauty appointments added pressure rather than relief. By channeling energy into hobbies, she cultivated meaningful self-care routines that stimulated creativity, fitness, and relaxation. Her formula? One hobby each for mental calm, creative expression, and physical activity—mahjong, home DIY projects, and tennis.
5. Finding Community and Combating Loneliness
In a country facing growing social isolation, hobby groups stood out as vibrant communities. Whether at a horse barn or rock climbing gym, she witnessed strong bonds formed through shared passions. Joining a tennis team of fellow moms expanded her social circle and reinforced the value of belonging.
6. Turning Small Talk into Meaningful Conversations
Asking others about their hobbies broke down barriers and unveiled unexpected facets of people's lives. Conversations grew richer and more personal, deepening her connections and understanding of friends and colleagues.
The Secret to Balance Is Just Starting
Many strive endlessly to perfect work-life balance but postpone hobbies until everything else settles down. Her experience proves that balance starts with carving out space for hobbies. Engaging in new pursuits forces boundaries and nurtures well-being in ways that ripple across work, family, and personal identity.
Today, hobbies remain a cornerstone in her daily routine—whether it’s regular tennis matches, Mahjong sessions, or learning golf alongside her children. When her child recently exclaimed, “I have so many hobbies,” she realized she was modeling a vital lesson: that joy and fulfillment spring from curiosity, play, and connection.
