A 4-minute read

“So, what do you do for fun?“

Your heart races. Your mind blanks. Suddenly you’re questioning every life choice that’s led to this moment. Because how do you explain that your real hobbies—the ones that actually bring you joy—aren’t the ones you put on your Instagram bio?

Does scrolling TikTok count as a hobby? What about being really good at online shopping? Or my exceptional ability to binge-watch entire series in one weekend?

The latest addition? This blog. (How long will this one last? Place your bets.)

You know what? Let’s be honest here.

I watch Netflix. A lot of it. I’m particularly invested in K-dramas (yes, judge away, I can see you Jared doing it, but have you SEEN the production quality lately?). I can predict plot twists three episodes before they happen, and I’ve mastered the art of reading subtitles while eating without missing a single dramatic moment.

Occasionally, I’ll switch it up and play Uno. And let me tell you, there’s no thrill quite like slapping down a +4 card or seeing a well-timed Reverse throw everyone into chaos. It’s not just a game; it’s a strategy session, a power move, a tiny slice of fulfillment.

But when people ask about my hobbies, why do I find myself scrambling to mention that one time I went hiking, or how I “occasionally” play guitar (translation: I know the basic chords), or how I’m “really into reading” (does scrolling through book reviews count)? I’ll casually drop that I love baking (I own measuring cups like duh) and that I’m learning French (Duolingo has been sending threatening emails since forever).

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Standing in the craft store, convinced that this time we’ll actually become that person who makes their own greeting cards. Or downloading Duolingo, truly believing we’ll learn Spanish through 5-minute daily lessons. Look around your room. I bet you’ll find them—the evidence of who we thought we should be. Or should I mention that yoga mat you bought during the great “new year, new me” crisis of January, or maybe the Nike’s subscription to train for a Marathon, or the art supplies that cost more than your weekly groceries?

Since when did hobbies become items on a resume? When did “I spend my free time doing things I genuinely enjoy” turn into “I spend my free time doing things that make me sound productive”?

Don’t we all secretly enjoy:

• Spending hours finding the perfect GIF to reply to a group chat
• Organizing screenshots of outfits we’ll never buy
• Falling into 3 AM TikTok holes about conspiracy theories
• Re-watching comfort shows we’ve seen 17 times because making new decisions is exhausting

Maybe hobbies aren’t supposed to be about impressing others. Maybe they’re just supposed to be about what makes you happy. And if my happiness comes from watching 16 episodes of two people obviously in love take forever to admit it, then so be it. If my idea of a perfect Sunday is binge-watching while eating ice cream, why pretend otherwise?

So I’m done pretending. When someone asks what I do for fun, I’m going to tell them about the drama that made me cry last night, my complex feelings about the second male lead, and my detailed analysis of why this plot twist was predictable. Because at the end of the day, aren’t hobbies supposed to be about joy? And if my joy comes with subtitles, then that’s perfectly fine.

So here it is—your official permission slip to:

• Call scrolling through food videos you’ll never cook “meal planning”
• Consider your ability to find anyone’s Instagram in under 5 minutes “research skills”
• Count re-organizing your apps by color as “productivity”
• Accept that sometimes the best hobby is just… existing
• Admit that maybe, just maybe, we don’t need to monetize every single thing we enjoy

Because at the end of the day, we’re all just pretending to be adults who have it figured out. Some of us just hide it better behind aesthetic Instagram posts of our sourdough starters and morning meditation routines.

P.S. Yes, I wrote this while procrastinating on my “real” hobbies. And yes, there’s a K-drama playing in the background. No regrets.