Entry #1 The Hobby of Learning

 What are hobbies? When thinking of hobbies, the usual ones come to mind. Crocheting, sewing, gardening, some kind of arts and crafts, or even collecting. Well, let's face it, these kinds of hobbies are not quite ideal; they are time-consuming, and intricate. Especially, for a girl who gets busy in the hustle and bustle. These kinds of hobbies don't get picked up as easily. Hobbies aren't exactly just the things one likes to do, either; hobbies are more meaningful than that. They take the effort to acquire a new skill or find but also provide some kind of fulfillment or sense of wholeness. Generally, hiking or playing a sport would be my normal answer, but those aren't exactly hobbies; they are just what I like to do from time to time. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a hobby is this: "a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation."(HOBBY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster) The more I began to think about what my hobby is, I found this simple answer to be what was most true. It's not exactly a hobby that comes to mind for everyone or is seen as a common hobby. According to its definition, I would say this counts as my hobby. That is learning! 

How is learning a hobby, one might say. Well, learning is the one thing I am in pursuit of that brings the means of fulfillment and relaxation. Learning is not just something I like to do, but learning is a passion. I love learning about culture, reading about history and the different civilizations, and discovering new words in different languages. All kinds of learning I like to do. It's not the same kind of learning as in school. This kind of learning would be more serious, one could say. This kind of learning takes memorization, studying, and even tedious repetition in some instances, like learning math or science. The learning done outside of this kind of space is more exploratory and varies. Whether it is listening to a podcast or watching a documentary, I love doing it. I call it more of a hobby because it is something I go out of my way to do in my leisure time outside of work and school, and church. Although learning is a lifestyle and takes on more of my character than anything, I consider it a hobby due to the intentionality of the act rather than it just taking place in a set environment. With the busy life that so many people have come to, hobbies are built on going out of one's way to do them nowadays. I consider extra learning to be a part of what I call going out of my way to do, and I always look forward to doing it. 

Now, one might say that learning is not a hobby in and of itself because one learns other hobbies. I disagree with this notion as this article by Skilled Pro does as well: Is Learning A Hobby? Consider These Things First (Examples Included) -. This article states that learning, being a hobby in and of itself, allows one to learn even to the point of learning new things to spark new interests (Damian). Not only does having the hobby of learning improve on interests I already have, but the hobby of learning leads to newer interests one wouldn't have known otherwise without having and pursuing this hobby. The hobby of learning is beneficial and a great thing to have. Here is what I have recently had the hobby of learning outside of school and work, and that is learning worship songs in other languages! Here are a couple of bands I've been learning about: