Mohan Thulasingam
Hobby is the leisure time that we regularly spend after daily works like attending office, cooking, teaching, studying, etc. It’s a method of diversion from the monotony of routine. Pastime is the other name of the hobby. It can happen that the activity which is a pastime for one person can be a job to another person. For example, swimming a pastime for John is a Profession for Bush. Everybody should have a pastime in their daily schedule; because, this is the only way to relax, refresh and recharge the mind and body. Hobbies can be grouped under two heads a) Creative type and b) Entertainment type. The first category employs the creative skill to refresh and produces value in life. The latter category aims at pleasure as a tool to recharge a person. The most common hobbies of creative nature are discussed here.
Photography: This helps to memorize and enjoy the past events and moments of life after several years. One can share the photos through the social media and public forums. Digital cameras enable even the beginners to shoot like a professional. The only qualification required is the admiration of things around oneself. There are people who earn money from this hobby.
Poetry: Each one of us has the creativity within us. This hidden power can be explored to pen poetry by conscious attempts at it. Observations and expressions form the essence of any poetry. Reading the verses of great poets also inspires and kindles thought process. Poems can be published online to share views and gain recognition.
Painting: As this involves patience and passion, very few people pursue this hobby. However, great works of painting bring fame and name. Painting can be in any media like canvas, compact disc, metallic sheets, glass, etc.
Blogging: Anything you want to share can be done here by posting pictures, videos, snippets, articles, etc. There are many user-friendly websites providing free space and templates to start with. Of course, the netizens alone can have this hobby. The blogs with the quality contents attract more visitors. The blog authors can earn money by posting the ads of online and offline businesses.
Affiliate marketing: By merely marketing the products and services of businesses as a hobby, a person can generate income. This can be done through online and offline modes; the first requires least investment and knowledge about the Internet. The second type involves higher investment and physical handling of the merchandise.
Social service: Free coaching, Traffic regulation, Helping the Old people, Street-cleaning, etc. are some of the social activities that can be adopted as hobbies. Rendering service to the society yields multiple gains: it provides satisfaction, confidence, growth, welfare and peace. This kind of hobby becomes effective when carried out by joining hands with the like-minded people such as friends and office colleagues.
Freelancing: Undertaking work from an agency or business firm has become a hobby nowadays. Journalism, Copy-writing, Data collection, Data entry, Software designs, Supplying Goods, Consultancy and photography are some examples of this hobby. Such freelancing can be free of cost or for a fee.
The Internet provides endless opportunities to both; spend the time and earn a dime. Age is not a bar. Spirit and curiosity to learn are vital for making a hobby as productive and satisfying.
(Author is a Ex-Banker and can be contacted on tmohan0311@hotmail.com)
