I have a confession to make: six months ago, I started looking for a new hobby.
hob-by: an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation
I wanted something that could distract me, that could entertain me, that gave me something to do other than work and study.
I thought about learning an instrument (and I’m still plugging away at Harmonica 101), about taking up sketching, about finding a not-too-strenuous sport.
But late last night, in a disturbing OMG flash of reality, I realised that I already had a hobby. It has become such a part of my life that I didn’t recognise it was there. It had snuck up on me, blindsided me, took me out into the back alley and sweet talked me into doing things you don’t talk about during polite dinner conversation.
It’s time to admit it:
I collect RSS feeds.
That’s right. I’m a resource whore.
I started off with the feeds from social media blogs, then moved onto blogging blogs. Then copywriting blogs. Art blogs. Cooking blogs. Online comics. News feeds. Brisbane bloggers. Twitter searches. Digital photography. Oil painting. And it won’t stop growing.
I’m not complaining - but it does take me more than an hour each day to go through my accumulated information.
The problem is, the hobby is also what I’m looking to do for a living - digital communications. It’s made me think about the line between professional and personal, between hobby and work. When you find something you enjoy learning about, but also enjoy working with, are you burning the candle at both ends? If I never take a break from the information stream, am I doing myself more harm than good?
I’ve decided, just in case, to go find myself a second hobby.
Image by david_a_lea
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