How do you see non personal development hobbies?

[Delenir]

Hey everyone, long-time NF fan, newbie poster.

 

Something I want to ask you all about is your hobbies which may be viewed as non personal development.

I do have some fun hobbies that I totally tie into my goals, like playing video games or watching movies in a language I am learning for example. So those sort of things I see as part of my goals, not a distraction from them.

 

But on the other hand, I consider myself to be a maladaptive daydreamer, and I can find myself spending a lot of hours on things like attempting creative writing, using "maker" type programs (The Sims, RPGMaker, Solarus, D&D map makers, etc.) I fully acknowledge that for some people, hobbies like writing or game design could very much be their actual goal too.

 

TDLR: I have some hobbies and interests that I end up telling myself "successful people don't use up their time with this..." but maybe they do? I would love to hear about all your personal thoughts and experiences on this sort of thing.

[aramis]

First of all - damn you for that font background. It was pain to read through. 

 

But about your question - everybody needs some sort of distraction or plain relax form everyday struggle. How you achieve that is absolutely up to you - even if it would mean singing to mushrooms for them to grow happier (not that I do such thing, not at all... ).

It's not that every second of your time has to be devoted to self-development. The trick here is to balance the "productive time" and the "off time". If such balance is the problem, maybe use some sort of schedule or timer to limit your daydreaming time, rather than remorsefully kicking yourself for it afterwards. 

[Chesire]

Everything Aramis said.  Also, who says hobbies that don't directly tie to your personal, or successful, or whatever measuring stick you use, growth don't come into play in those areas whether you realize it or not?  Every new thing or improved thing effects how you think and may actually give you an advantage when you can tackle a task from a different angle as compared to the person who only followed the linear path. 

 

Besides, down time is important to healing, refocusing, and not burning out.  Enjoy that thing!

[Delenir]

My apologies about the font XD I always have a dark mode extension turned on, so I didn't noticed it pasted in so horribly. It should be fixed now.

 

Both of your advice (advices???) are helpful and it gives me something to think about. Thank you both!