if you want to change how you shop you need a hobby

[@esbybyaghro6483]

I made notes as I watched so I'm just going to go through my list. 1. Shopping for my hobby IS my shopping problem. The feeling of "Oh, if I just have x thing, THEN I'll be happy / better / prepared." The meme about "buying craft supplies & using craft supplies are two different hobbies" is very very true. 2. I know exactly what you mean about the "itch" to buy. I'll go for weeks with no issues & then a switch flips & suddenly I MUST purchase whatever or I'll go mad. And then it fades & I'm left with "why did I buy this? why do I have this?" 3. Sometimes losing interest in something doesn't mean it was a fixation per se. I think the answer to the question "would I pick this up again?" is a better indicator of whether or not it was a fleeting interest. My moods & mental health go through cycles and I'll set something aside for months at a time. That doesn't mean I don't love it anymore, it's just that I don't have the bandwidth for it right now. And that's not everything, some things truly are "Eh, that was fun, I'm done with it now" but some things are just "this time of year is tough & NOTHING sounds engaging so I'm going to give myself grace & see if I feel like coming back to this later". 4. On the topic of setting things aside & picking them up again - that can be difficult, too. Give yourself permission to take a break without feeling like you've given up completely & give yourself permission to pick something up again, even if it's been ages. 5. Hobbies I've picked up in the last few years - junk journaling (which was a great way to repurpose all of my old 'I'm totally going to take up scrapbooking one day' supplies), machine sewing, embroidery, and slow stitching. I found a video series of a slow stich project a week (see: k3n clothtales). She mostly uses scrap fabric & scrap threads you have available. It doesn't require buying a bunch of NEW stuff if you have literally any cloth in your home (old clothes, sheets, etc), a needle, & thread. In fact, she encourages that over making purchases if you can. Those videos have helped with the "I need to shop to buy the perfect thing for this" feelings because the POINT is to use up what you have. They're just mindful little projects exploring different sewing styles on a very small scale. 6. Check your local libraries, museums, botanical gardens, etc to see if they offer any continuing education type courses or lectures, etc. Some will cost money but some are free and they let you meet other interested people in your area & help you get a sense of if you're interested in a topic - or they help you learn more about a topic you're already interested in. 7. IF you can afford it and IF the thing truly brings you joy - do it. My husband loves gardening. From planning his beds to planting to maintenance to harvesting. He adores every part of it. Every day at lunch during the summer he'll go out for 15-30 minutes to "pet his plants" (my phrase, not his). It was not cheap to set everything up. It's not particularly cheap to maintain. It's nice going out to grab a cucumber instead of having to go to the store but the return on investment is not there EXCEPT in the amount of sheer joy he gets from the hobby. THAT is worth every penny spent. Apparently I have many Thoughts and Feelings re: hobbies. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

[@mp5690]

I loved your Ted Talk. I related to it too much at points haha

[@Avoranation]

I think my comment is similar to yours, so many creative hobbies that I've bought supplies for then lost interest in. Some I cycle back to, like cross stitch, sewing, adult colouring, painting, drawing and knitting. But others, polymer clay, jewellery, lino cutting, needle felting, to name a few, I have not gone back to and don't feel the need to! But I bought the stuff at the time 🙈 There's levels to it too! If you get further along in adult colouring books, there's fancy pencils, alcohol markers, pastels, gel pens, watercolour markers, plus all the different books! It's so hard to keep it basic sometimes, but honestly Shawna does keep me grounded at times when it comes to this 😂

[@shawnaripari]

this is such a wonderful comment that I'm pinning it! I think your question of "would I pick this back up" can be really helpful to consider if something is a fixation or a hobby. Because you're right sometimes interests change because interests change or it's not right for this moment. Other times it's a fixation. Also, I definitely appreciate your first point about how one's shopping problem can be their hobby. In this case, it's not really about the hobby. You've said a lot more wonderful things here, so thank you!

[@cmntr_]

​@@shawnaripari can I just say I love how appreciative you are of other people's experiences, both in your videos and in your comments sections ... it's a breath of fresh air.

[@lifeoutnumbered]

Yesssssss I've been knitting since I was twelve and it's an on again off again hobbyship for knitting and I. Same with reading. Actually I have just broken down and become an audio book girly because that's the best way for me to experience something I love while having a bunch of small children. And I used to hate on audio books because I'm a page sniffer, tactile reader kind of person. But that doesn't mean I'm getting rid of my library either just because current me doesn't have the lifestyle for them right now. You can pry my pretty hardbacks and worn down paperbacks full of love an memories from my cold lifeless hands lmao. I'm looking forward to being an old crone in a cottage with time to garden and languish and read again.

[@internetfox]

one thing to be careful of- using hobbies as an excuse to over-consume/shop. I recently got into perfume and scent chemistry, and I have to fight the urge to buy more aroma chemicals rather than actually making stuff with what I already have. I think its similar to the thing where you trick yourself into feeling you've been productive when you buy planners and stationary.

[@shawnaripari]

Yes! We can get enticed to buying more things because it's a way to engage with our hobby or interest

[@ThunderPrincess2500]

Definitely came here to say the same. I am a die hard skier and see soooo many people who spent thousands of dollars on gear just to try the sport when they don't even know if they like it. They could have just rented the boots, skis, and poles from the hill and borrowed gloves and snow pants from a friend. We even rent snowpants!!!!! If you are trying a new sport, RENT. Don't buy anything until you know you love it. And don't fall into the trap of thinking the most expensive equipment is the best. I bought a used gravel bike a couple of years back because I LOOOOVE biking (my main summer hobby). That bike has become my main transport in spring, summer, and fall. But she ain't fancy. No carbon. Entry-level components. Start with something modest. Don't splash out.

[@creaturefeaturecosplay]

I probably have too many hobbies lol. The main one is cosplay, which kind of ties a lot of the other ones together. I love learning new skills and techniques depending on the costume I want to make. It's not a cheap hobby though, and there's a real temptation to buy various materials and tools just to try them out. I have learned to pace myself and buy things as needed, not just because they seem cool. I also do amateur astronomy, hiking, and video games.

[@Autumn1988]

As a member of the knitting community I can concur we are awful for this!

[@HeatherCheddarZ]

@@internetfox what a bomb interest, the heck?? So cool

[@EmmaAbigail-p5w]

Reading library books is the hobby I’ve found that distracts me from shopping and is free.

[@ginnysvec4809]

@@EmmaAbigail-p5w same!!! I’ve really gotten back into reading over this past year, and the library! It’s like i forgot it was there???

[@brittanyb8997]

This is the reminder I needed! I bought a Kindle a year ago specifically to use Libby.

[@SkyeSoleil]

I love the library! It can give the same high as shopping because you can grab almost as many books as you can carry. All you gotta do is bring them back and then you can get more books! And it forces you to read the books you got

[@afirewasinmyhead]

@@SkyeSoleil Sometimes I get too ambitious about how much I can read and I return a book unread but the nice thing about the library is there's nothing to lose. Library is life. 🥹

[@stephandozzie]

@@EmmaAbigail-p5w Me too!!

[@SimplyKatieWalks]

Ive always wanted a hobby, but i have the attention span of a breath mint. Thats why shopping WAS so easy to fall in to. Great video, as always 🎉

[@shawnaripari]

This is such an interesting observation and I don't think you're alone with that

[@SaintAvangeline]

@@SimplyKatieWalks BREATH MINT

[@geekelly000]

I dabble in a lot of things for the same reason. I'd make a couple of things and then move onto other things because it looses it's novelty. I have been told by people that my handmade gifts were so good that I could sell them however even if I enjoy making things, having to mass produce them takes the fun out of a hobby. I've learned the accept that my hobbies last for a month or two and then I move onto something else.

[@SimplyKatieWalks]

@geekelly000 i started junk journaling. That way I don't have to buy anything. And then I won't feel bad when I get tired of it.

[@EXOmakemeHorololo]

😂Can we form a club?

[@palasiksivain]

this might be a biased take as i am a literature major (a drop-out but that's not important), but reading anything absolutely IS a productive hobby!! you don't have to be actively learning or studying for reading to be productive, just reading novels of any kind is very productive for your literacy skills! you have to practice literacy kind of like a muscle, and reading is crucial in that. so there's no non-productive reading; all of it is amazing and you should definitely keep it up

[@anneliseb9850]

@@palasiksivain yes, I agree! Reading is also amazing for encouraging empathy and grappling with philosophical concepts.

[@PoisonxAlchemist]

I read a lot of trashy romance novels, and you know what? You're right! Reading deeply into even a "trash" genre really makes you aware of the details in execution, things like character dynamics and plot structure and how authors handle them.

[@Shirumoon]

Not just literacy but also your brain gets trained! So people argue with literacy and then trash on "lower" genres (which you didn't but I wanted to point the misconception out that many have) but reading in itself stimulates the brain in a favorable way. So much better for you than watching shows or endless scrolling so it's a double win.

[@rockinrolldog]

Yes agree! Of course the amount of productivity depends on what you put into it, but I consider anything that is good for your body or brain to be a productive hobby. And reading increases focus, brain elasticity, and critical thinking skills. Yes, even going to your friend to gush about the hottie in your latest smut book or keeping a private tracker with ratings/reviews counts as critical thinking. Being able to read something then explain or discuss it is unfortunately a skill not everyone has.

[@vtheory7531]

Reading is also important to maintain your language skills. I'm bilingual but live in an English-speaking country, so as often possible I get books in my other language to casually read so I don't forget the language. It's also a good way to increase your language proficiency if you are intermediate-advanced level.

[@nataliet4293]

Social media is so bad because lots of hobbies have a shopping stage and if you don't want haul content the algo ignores your interests. Like knitting and crochet pushes yard hoarder content. Sewing pushes fabric and pattern hauls. Etc etc

[@claudiabowman6950]

That's true -- as someone who knits, I totally understand the draw of buying gorgeous new yarn that you don't have a plan for yet. BUT the difference in satisfaction between fondling that pretty yarn versus wearing that hat you completed?! It's so fantastic to be able to *make* something.

[@ana7177]

Yes definitely, I got into adult coloring and it's the same , coloring hauls and excessive buying books and supplies

[@shawnaripari]

This is a great point. You as a viewer have to do a lot of work to find the right content if you don't want hauls or consumer driven content

[@EXOmakemeHorololo]

​@@shawnaripariit really sucks how much the world around us wants to milk us for our money. And thinking how kids and teens are sorrounded by this all the time too.... It's very concerning

[@jessicatinglov1403]

Absolutely. I cross stitch and bead. And someone said somewhere, that there is the hobby itself and the hobby of buying the things for the hobby. Social media does not help in anyway. Even with budgeting videos. A lot of budgeters have etsy shops. Yes some of the stuff is cheap but that's an issue because it's hard to not buy all the cheap things. I have a hard time with shopping in general, so even though I love youtube I have to stop watching. Otherwise I want to spend on everything I see.

[@nicolekerry4041]

I think for some people it's important to have a hobby that you can grow in and get better at over time. I'm the type of person who wants to master something and then move on to a different challenge. I've been doing this with knitting for about 20 years now (I started knitting when I was 9 years old.) I got bored with knitting flat items so I taught myself circular knitting. From there I learned how to do lacework and cables. Then came socks, sweaters, and colorwork. You can do this with so many hobbies. If you're a reader, you could try moving into longer books or series or a slightly more challenging reading level (reading levels aren't just for kids in school!). If you do puzzles, try going from 500 pieces to 1,000 pieces to see if you like a bigger challenge! I think growing in your hobby keeps the novelty alive and also gives you a sense of accomplishment and the potential to make goals for yourself, if you are a goal-oriented person like me.

[@RinDeal]

A tip for my fellow readers, get a library card from your local library! Libraries offer free services including physical, audio and ebooks and I have found that it helps me to check out the books and read them first before I decide to buy or put them on my wishlist.

[@ellieamorous4372]

One of my favorite activities for when i'm low energy or bummed out is taking a good look at my house plants and seeing what's changed. It goesnt sound like much, but it can be really rewarding to intentionally observe them. Ive noticed new leaves, new shoots, leaves turning different directions. It helps me look for good things and gives me a better understanding of my plants needs and growth cycles. And it doesnt cost a thing!

[@shawnaripari]

thank you for sharing something that works for you!

[@Pandakidpa]

I was talking with some friends the other day about your videos and I ended up telling them "You can't replace the hole in your soul that's supposed to have community in it with single use plastic" And you know I think that holds pretty well

[@Avoranation]

So true

[@royal8133]

I’ve been drawing, reading, playing video games, watching KZbin and walking. I’ve found that dabbling in different hobbies has helped reduce my spending, and helped with my mental health. I’ve recently relapsed with BED so having distractions from food is helping a lot. We can do it, fam 👏

[@piginmud]

THIS HAIRCUT ON YOU! SO. CUTE.

[@eleanorandrews6048]

I'm currently learning a new language to curb my shopping habits, whenever I feel the urge I go on the app and start doing some language exercises, so far it has been helping 👍

[@shawnaripari]

ouuuu this is a wonderful idea

[@Mcarp_88]

The biggest impact my mom’s shopping problem has had is that she can never just leave the house because she ALWAYS has packages being delivered and she doesn’t want them to sit on her porch because she’s worried someone will steal them. So instead of visiting her children/grandchildren or meeting up with people, she’s stuck at home waiting for packages. It’s so sad to me.

[@Shirumoon]

That sounds like a dystopian nightmare! I don't know where you guys live but at least in Germany you can pick certain dates for your deliveries sometimes. Maybe encourage her to try i so she can have at least occassional days "off" and go see people? But if she's really that deep into a shopping addiction, she might not even want to have it any other way :( gosh, I'm sorry you're losing her to this.

[@amandak.4246]

​@@Shirumoonin the us, you sometimes have a choice of days using amazon, but general packages, no. but i think it's possible to have packages held as the post office and then go to pick them up. many places don't have to worry about packages being stolen, so we don't think about this kind of thing

[@naomiowen2523]

I love knitting and I started up sourdough making two years ago. Both make me feel like an old lady, and I love it😊

[@donjab218]

How I (accidentally) found a new hobby: 2 years ago I had my tonsils removed and after that I couldn't really do stuff, because my body needed most of my energy to heal. So I was just sitting there watching Jenna Phipps (DIY) videos on KZbin and the urge to give knitting another try overcame me. I went to my yarn box, picked a yarn I liked, but then - the only tool I could find was one single crochet needle. So that evening I learned to crochet (not that I could do much else), and I haven't stopped since. I am honestly so glad to have found crocheting because I never liked knitting, but was always so inspired by fibre art! Now after 2 years of crocheting I'm giving knitting another try and for the first time I am actually enjoying myself with knitting. So I really didn't find one new hobby, but two. Only downside is having to restrain myself from buying more yarn, when my stash is still overflowing 😅

[@ana7177]

I got into adult coloring in 2020 , it's very relaxing and fun but I had to stop watching content about it bc it turn out to be lots of hauls and excessive buying coloring books, the prices of some of these pencils are over $100 . I ended up buying more than what is necessary to start, so now I'm just doing it but not buying anymore stuff. I also love to read but I don't buy physical books i read them from Kindle unlimited. Your videos are so helpful , thank you :)

[@Uceroy]

@@ana7177 so relatable! I stopped using instagram for that reason. I'm very susceptible to that FOMO. Seeing a cool coloring book, or nice new fountain pen ink made me want to buy more and more. I probably have enough to last me for life 🫣 Finding the right content to watch is hard. Really making an effort now to use what I have.

[@emmaaa1434]

I’ve really struggled to have the hobby activity as the hobby and not the shopping for the hobby if that makes sense. Trying to stop the shopping cycle instead of just jumping shopping mediums is so hard. I think this is seen in how many beauty and makeup people are branching out different areas like fragrance specifically. The marketing to make us feel like we need the latest makeup, skincare, haircare, fragrance, accessories, bags etc definitely doesn’t help this shopping creep either.

[@shawnaripari]

Definitely feel you on this. It can even feel like our spending on makeup (as an example) has gone down but you're still spending money, it's just shifted. Now you're buying perfume or earrings

[@lexiemartin8669]

God it’s so hard. I love my ballet classes, but you know what’s even more fun? Buying pretty leotards and skirts. It’s so bad.

[@antrazitaj5209]

I sang as a child and teen, we mostly did chamber choir. And when I didn't have the time anymore I told myself t wasn't so bad because I can always sing, I don't have to go anywhere to do it. Went back to singing at 40 for voice lessons. I'm not interested in going back to choir, but I do enjoy singing and finding out all I can do with my voice.

[@aimeejo1366]

Ooh! I’m jealous! I always sang in school choirs and musicals when I was a teen, and have hung it up as an adult. I could still sing at church, but I found that my focus became more on how people were perceiving my performance than on true worship, so I stepped away. I’ve been considering taking voice lessons at 36 as a just-for-me thing! I hope you are loving your lessons!

[@antrazitaj5209]

@@aimeejo1366 If you have the option, give it a go. Not only do you get to sing again (yay!) you surprise yourself

[@maygardens-ey5pn]

I find myself drawn to simple knitting and sewing crafts. Sometimes I'll do an easy 300 or 500 piece jigsaw puzzle just to relax in the evening after work and space it out over the week. The colours of the yarn, material or jigsaw picture really cheer me up, and it gives me a little sense of accomplishment. 😊

[@hannahschriever7976]

I lost a pregnancy a few weeks ago and i spent a lot of money because it felt like oh this will make my life so much better. And i really regret it especially because i was doing so good at saving money

[@samisparkleheart]

I'm sorry for your passed little one ❤ please don't beat yourself up for the shopping, you can get back on track. It may have served as a helpful distraction, but you caught it so now you can redirect it. Be gentle with yourself 😊

[@flamingoliz]

@@hannahschriever7976 I'm really sorry for your loss. ❤

[@petra1995]

"Reading is not a productive hobby" Yes it is! It's incredibly good for your brain! 🧠

[@anishaoomerjee6420]

this year i really allowed myself to learn more about myself and my interests. i really delved into some new hobbies (knitting, crochet and making beaded phone straps and just general bead crafts). i found that while i was really enjoying myself, i was spending more money just buying supplies than actual time i was putting into making things. i skein of yarn could make me around 50 of something but i was making 5 and then buying another skein or 2. i’m cutting down now but i can’t help myself when i see a good deal or offer. or a good price on something i justify by saying “i haven’t got this one”. the abundance of beads i have and then the storage boxes for them is insane. anyone crocheters know how to stop this 😂😂

[@anthropomorphicpeanut6160]

One of my hobbies is mending, which means I can reuse my clothes even after most people would have had disposed of them. I also had most of the supplies at home already, and only had to buy a second hand sewing machine, meaning that after some time it's like negative shopping: I've made my money back by not needing to buy any clothes lol

[@annettestewart7903]

Mending is one of my hobbies too! Even when it's time to donate still good stuff that my kids outgrow, i check for holes in pockets that need to be fixed or little spots where a zipper snagged. Makes me feel better to donate things that people don't feel like it's trash

[@anthropomorphicpeanut6160]

@annettestewart7903 that is awesome and very thoughtful

[@erinrants9371]

I also like to mend my clothes - it’s been a good way to get away from the ‘retail therapy’ that increased during the pandemic. And I like the way visible mending looks.

[@Wimlan]

@anthropomorphicpeanut6160 I'm going to start seeing this as a hobby. My kids clothes always has holes in them haha I like sewing, but sometimes starting something from scratch can be very overwhelming, especially if you don't like the final product.

[@catcreme]

Even hobbies have a shopping component and watching content about it can give people serious FOMO and incentivise them to spend more. I've been in booktube and bullet journal communities for years, and I've spent so much money comparing myself with other people's bookshelves and bullet journal supplies. 10 years ago I would use my library for 90% of my reading, but falling into booktube rabbit hole I now have a full bookshelf of almost 100 books that I bought (granted they're all books I enjoyed and classics I reread but still) because I wanted to have my own library. The same with bullet journaling. In the beginning, I would use the cheapest notebooks or basic pens, but now I'm really picky and I never use notebooks below 120gsm page thickness (and those are on the more expensive side). BUT it's way more fulfilling hobby than just shopping as a hobby. Having a hobby-oriented shopping habit it's directed at something and you're productive more than just shopping for shopping's sake and chasing dopamine.

[@amber-mac]

I love to read or crochet in the winter months and hike, camp, and kayak in the warmer months. I have a pretty stressful job and I found out pretty early on how important it was to have those hobbies that give me time to recharge 💕

[@DL-idk]

I really enjoy journaling. There is a huge journaling community on KZbin. Problem is, seeing what other people are using can be tempting for me to get the exact same thing 😅 I’ve just sort through all my supplies and decided that it’s more than enough for my way of journaling. I can do with just a notebook and pen because I enjoy doodling on the page much more than using pre-printed stickers and washi.

[@lexiemartin8669]

I love journaling too! I just wish I had some sort of social component the way shopping does. I try to take my journal out to parks and that sort of thing but it’s still not something other people can really participate in 😂

[@DL-idk]

@ Definitely. I also wish I had friends who are into this. Imagine doing an exchange journal of some sort with all the journaling loving friends. That would be so much fun. I‘ve heard about offline events for stationary lovers, but I don’t think there’s anything special in my city. Traveling to other places could be expensive. And there is another problem: it would be so much harder to NOT buy anything from the conventions 😅 It would be basically impossible IMO. I mean, if I had invested that much time and energy to get there, I would find a million excuses to bring things home even when I don’t have a use for them. It’s a vibe and I will certainly be sucked in.

[@lexiemartin8669]

@ I don’t even need for my friends to get involved; just some way to journal while having low stakes positive human interaction! Part of the fun of shopping for me is making g breezy small talk with sales associates and other shoppers.

[@aviezer_who_drinks_seltzer371]

You can journal aesthetically with 1 pen and a cheap notebook

[@lexiemartin8669]

@@aviezer_who_drinks_seltzer371no one is saying that you can’t

[@TubbyVanillaMecha]

I've learned that shopping is not the only form of consumption. Reading books, watching movies, and doom scrolling are also examples of consumption which makes shopping such a normalized, slippery slope. The opposite of consumption is creation. When I find myself in a slump, I usually haven't created in sometime. Creation can take many forms like baking, sewing, painting, jewelry making, etc. I believe it is healthy to consume in moderation (and that we are designed to appreciate/want things), but we must find that healthy balance of giving and taking As always, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

[@Shirumoon]

For me, the opposite of shopping is creating but also socialzation. That doesn't sound intuitive but I've never once in my entire life spent time with friends or a boyfriend and been like "man, I'd rather be shopping right now". Both creating and spending time with people is fulfilling on such a deep level that it can make you feel amazing even longer than the duration of said things themselves and that's that we need to go for if we want to stop that shopping and guilt cycle. In the end, it's always about trying to fill a void inside ourselves but there are healther outlets for that.

[@Karryhime]

I totally agree! I can feel my discontent growing with increased time spent not creating anything. And I also recognized that spending time consuming takes away time that could be spent creating something. However, I also think that there are different types of content consumption. Reading a book for example can be rather passive, or it can cultivate new thoughts and views if you take the time to reflect and maybe take notes. As for passive content consumption like watching a show, I remind myself to reach for my sketchbook or journal alongside it!

[@AlejandraXio]

Sis! You need a hobby. But just don't go into Hobby Lobby since that can trigger another type of spending addiction!

[@TraXs.]

I remember you talking about this in an older video but I need to insist on finding a hobby that doesn't drive the need to shop to enjoy your experience otherwise that's maybe another way to pass time rather than something you get fulfillment from 😊

[@shawnaripari]

I agree that hobbies can become spending traps and it is important to set boundaries on hobby spending

[@Youtuber1045]

Ugh. Thank you. You’re making me confront a problem I have had for over a year now. I got my first “big girl” job and it started slowly and after getting laid off it was at its worse, and still is. I shop every waking moment that I am not busy cleaning, cooking, working, or driving. It’s really bad. I feel incredibly burdened by it. I do not stop thinking of shopping and even impulse buy when I am sad. It’s bad with clothing. I didn’t allow myself to buy new clothing for so long because I wanted to lose weight and when I finally accepted myself as I was I went overkill so fast on buying clothes. This is a really vulnerable and uncomfortable thing for me to address but I have to do it. I have to stop shopping. Thank you for this video.

[@loes6839]

I switch between hobbies but the last couple of years it's been houseplants, reading, puzzles, walking (with my dog), working out (with weights in the gym or yoga at home). I also have decluttered a lot and I still watch a lot of KZbin. The only downside to many hobbies, is that you can go overboard really easy with buying stuff. Here is how I do it with my hobbies; -on some things, I make a decision once. For example: for my dog I researched for a good harness and got him 1. He has 1 harness, 1 collar, a long leash and a short leash and only a handful of toys. Only if something breaks, I can buy a new one. -I use a lot of "container concept" (Dana K Whites no mess decluttering method helped a lot). So I choose a container where that hobby has to fit. So for my dog, that is a few hooks on the coatrack and a little cubby for his food and snacks. For my puzzles, that is a drawer in my living room where if it's full, that's it. So in practice that means when I've done all the puzzles, I look on marketplace and often I can trade them with people who have theirs for sale. With plants, I also use the container method a lot. Plants can only go in the window, once those places are full, or they outgrow them, I sell them/give them to friends. During the pandemic I sold cuttings, which helped me get back some the money I spent on them (and pots for them). For reading, I have a €10 subscription where I can read unlimited books per month. (Kobo plus) or get huge discounts on books that are not included in the subscription. Oh and for working out I also use the container concept. I work out 3 times a week, so I only have 3 outfits and 2 warmup jackets, one pair of shoes for weightlifting and one for walking.

[@MR-zq5gt]

Wow that is such a great concept !!! I’ll have to look into incorporating that into my current situation !!

[@wr3ns.d1ary]

i’ve recently gotten back in to knitting and crochet, but something i’ve noticed in the online/community part is just how much people use it as an excuse to over-consume. influencers will talk about how they have 500+ patterns they want to do, or show their extensive yarn stash and get rid of some just to buy more (would make a great video topic), so it’s important to remember not to fall i to that trap, and if you’re learning you really o l’y need the bare essentials: a few colours of yarn, a single yarn needle, and 1-2 hook/knitting needle sizes

[@karly1368]

Love the haircut queen very cute on you!!! 💝💝

[@shay-car]

That sweater ❤❤❤ what a dreamy find!

[@thebookfan9332]

I recently decided that instead of comsume I want to create. And this decision completely changed the way I look at things. I used to be on a constant mode of looking for the decor for my house (mostly posters and paintings). And now I'm taking art classes and one of my goals to put my own artwork on the walls. So when I find another cute poster, I'm like: I can paint myself! Of course I not very skilled enough yet, but it's fun and challenging. Also I prepare for Christmas by making my own tree toys. They look so cute and I love them much more then just another piece of made in china decor. Also, Shauna, thank you for you videos. They really changed the way I shop Recently I was at a store and fount super cute winter coat. It was pricey , but look so cute on me. At thirst I thought; I Love it and I can afgord it. But them I was like: girl, nut you already have a winter coat. It's totally fine,it looks good on you. Yeag, I get that ypu sre kind of yired of it, but you rsally don't need another one. Better save this money and buy yourself summer shoes, cause you don't have any

[@oliviahnsly]

I have also gotten back into reading post the college era that ruined the joy, but I am most proud of sticking it out this time and becoming proficient at crocheting. I have made some beautiful and amazing things that make people really happy and that’s the important part. I get to give them away and I love seeing the joy that I created for those people

[@averagerunner_]

After grad school I had no idea what I liked it to do for fun outside of watching TV and going outside for walks (and even walking came out of a need for sanity during COVID lockdown). Since then I've taken up running, reading, baking/cooking/ trying new recipes, I think those are my main ones. I also watch the intentionally/ as part of a fandom, I try to watch shows in real time and have watch parties or interact with the subreddit.

[@trueblue9898]

I think an activity to be considered a hobby must be active, hence I don’t consider just “watching tv” a hobby. I personally prefer creative hobbies, activities that lead you to have a final result. Mine is journaling, memory keeping and scrapbooking and while it can become an expensive hobby you can also manage to have nice things and at the same time remain on a budget. For instance, I love Christmas time and decorating all my December pages in a festive way and Christmas stationary is probably one of the most expensive. I don’t have infinite money and to bypass this problem I decided to use supermarkets and stores catalogs to decorate my pages. You don’t know just how many things you can get from those and most of the time I prefer to decorate a page with a Christmas tree I cut out from a flyer instead of buying dedicated card stock or stickers. I get all the fun in analysing the catalogs, imagining how I could use certain images, fussy cutting everything on top remaining on a budget 😂. So yes, I think creative hobbies are superior!!!

[@HungryOrca]

My hobby since childhood has been fiber arts: knitting, crochet, spinning etc. Sometimes it is a fixation, and sometimes I go months without touching it. Sometimes I felt lonely and wondered if I even actually liked knitting or if it was just a way to pass time. This year, I found a knitting group at my local library. Once a week I knit with a group of women of all ages, and I’ve been able to both learn from and teach other people. Finding community is the best part of hobbies, and really essential to enjoying a hobby long-term.

[@reggaeful]

I love this video, i always think that having other interests that dont involve the acquisition of material objects keeps me from thinking about or desiring to shop 99% of the time. The youtube channel Not Buying It (which I think you would love if you havent checked it out yet) has a really great contemplative video on avoiding the potential spending trap of hobbies with communities that encourage shopping, it's called "The Terrible Spiral of Consumption Communities" and i really recommend it. Theres a lot of overlap in your channels' interests there.

[@tink268]

Thinking about buying or what to buy is also incredibly draining. I have a shopping addition and it's so hard to be content with what I already have. It seems that I am always looking for the best next thing. Great video!!!

[@cocacoliechan]

(I'm not diagnosed, but I suspect I have ADHD). The fixation aspect is the most difficult for me. Ive never been able to sustain a hobby for longer than 2 months 😢 It's something I'm trying to accept about myself/stay aware of. I try not to get involved in hobbies that involve buying lots of special supplies because I inevitably will lose interest and end up with a bunch of junk I dont want anymore.

[@shawnaripari]

This is a wonderful thing to know about yourself and gives you something to consider when trying something new. I can relate to what you're saying because I also fixate a lot, and have also taken to enjoying fixations that are free and then moving on.

[@hartanna]

I started really getting into diamond painting in 2021. But then started following all of the channels and buying from all of the companies. Now I've found a good group that is trying to cut back on the consumerism aspect, but some of these companies make it really hard to say no when they discontinue stuff with no warning. 😅 Still working on it, but your channel is one of the ones helping me think about what I really need/want.

[@desireeeeam]

Shawna, girl, I hear you, but ✨depression✨ lol

[@GaGaObession]

same girl same 😅

[@ellieamorous4372]

Hobbies helped me out of my depression. It was super hard, and there were a few weeks of kind of making myself go through the motions, but even if you just try a little it can help. Keep fighting the good fight, depression is tough but you are tougher

[@desireeeeam]

@@ellieamorous4372sounds like it would be worth it. Thank you!

[@ArianAlbert]

The serotonin monster (my brain) is STARVINGGG 😂

[@juliagreen3965]

Great topic to discuss! Thanks for the video! I live in Washington state. Nature here is fabulous. Camping and hiking is a must and I like it so much. But I wanted to do something besides sitting by the campfire or going through the mountains. I guess I got a little bored at some point.😅 My dad used to be a great fisherman, and my grandmother liked mushroom hunting and taught me how when I was a kid. So I picked up these two hobbies. I learned so much about rivers and lakes, different places where I can hunt for specific fish or mushrooms. I became so familiar with surrounding areas. I see things that others don’t. Once I was in a park with a river. I learned it was a salmon spawn season and noticed about ten big ones swimming and jumping out of the water. I stopped and looked. Other people were passing by me with no idea what was happening in that river that day. And I felt the connection with nature that I never had before .

[@Unapologetically_Feral]

Cooking and baking! The search for good recipes online, shopping for the ingredients, taking nice pictures after. I love doing it

[@lorafalamic]

I used to love painting and drawing, up to the point that it was a half of my personality but now im not really into it anymore. I also used to play an instrument and im thinking of picking it up again and rn my new hobby is pole dancing. What keeps me interested is the people you meet and become friends with while doing your hobby. ❤

[@newhopemakes]

I am currently trying to find new hobbies and I am struggling with wanting to explore hobbies without buying too much stuff related to the hobby (mostly craft activities) and also not making more stuff than I need (my old hobbies that no longer bring me joy due to some traumatic life events were sewing, knitting, and soap making). Focusing on daily activities as hobbies like cooking, reading, and hiking is reframing my idea of how to enjoy life without needing/generating too much stuff.

[@MrJeromeRN]

My primary hobby is KZbin but you have to go premium or the ads will send you over the edge.

[@katarinaholik]

My hobby is painting with watercolors. But I have to say it envolves lot of shopping for supplies. Just few moments ago I ordered small sketchbooks so I can bring them with me all the time. Painting and drawing is so much fun. It helps me to endure countles hours in waiting rooms. I can draw quick gestural drawings, of people with just ballpoint pen and a simle 1€ sketchbook. But for more serious painting in a studio you can spend days in research of literature, materials, tools, techniques. But I am sorry to say it involves a lot of shopping too. But I give myself a monthly budget and manage to stay within the budget.

[@jendavis5672]

I've recently started playing tennis and it's been great. My husband and I can do it together, it's active and competitive and enjoyable.

[@ashenwalls3558]

I've always been a solitary hobbyist, with things like stamp collecting, dollhouse building, geocaching. But I wanted something more physical and that also got me out of the house a bit more, so I took up burlesque around two years ago, and just doing a couple shows a year has been wonderful!

[@DaysAfterDecluttering]

Very insightful. I have a problem feeling down when nothing is arriving in the mail. I'm writing things down when these feelings come on and I'm trying to acknowledge what else is going on around me. I'm a work in progress.

[@yvonnebouwhuis9419]

accepting that i really like romance books really helped me get back into reading again made my commute and after work better better on the flip side i do get so excited with reding that one of my major shopping issues is now buying books because a whole new world of books i didn't know about opened up and now i just want everything so like trying to balance that is also a learning curve when it comes to hobbies. (my painting and rug hooking supplies also take up some shopping time) but over all i love having things i lvoe to do outside of work and they do make my life feel fuller and open my life up to so much comunity

[@hayleypflug7384]

I’ve been hearing about dopamine menus lately, and I would love to hear you talk about those!

[@Karryhime]

I totally relate to the experience you shared about ballet. Two years ago I joined a pole dancing/fitness class because I was missing a physical hobby and it sounded fun (all of my other hobbies are creative indoor activities). While unfortunately classes are quite expensive, I quickly recognized that this is what kept me accountable and engaged. If I cancel the class on short notice I don't get reimbursed the money, so many times I was more or less forced to go - in hindsight I'm *always* happy I did end up going! I think that signing up for classes and/or joining groups is a good idea if you struggle with staying on track (and if you can afford it!)

[@aw5595]

True. When I’m super busy I don’t really shop, just because I don’t have the time. Also, you look super pretty in todays video! Love the hair and makeup look!

[@CrimsonButterflyGirl]

I’ve started getting into hobbies, but I limit myself to only buy basics with the hobby. So a few months ago I got into crochet so I brought some hooks, stitch markers, needles, eyes (I’m making amigurumi) and only yarn for what I’m going to make. I’ve been into reading for a few years and I kept buying books. My social media was covered with book hauls and people showing off shelves full of books (mostly unread) which was fueling my ‘need’ to buy books. However I’ve changed my mindset when it comes to buying books and I don’t see it as a positive thing buying books and not reading them. I think book tok, bookstagram etc has fuelled overconsumption of books and seem to focus on having as many books as possible and the aesthetic of books/reading and less on the actual books. Now I buy a lot less books and buy as and when I need a book to read.

[@audreyluan5325]

I've been watching your video, while i am doing a hobby - making a wig. Thanks to you, I've realized that shopping is a hobby of mine - window shopping. I'm not sure if it counts, but I do spend time looking at outfits i want to have, but I rarely buy it. Staying off of social media websites also have helped me from wanting new items, especially haul videos. Thanks for this video, and I'd like to hear your take on window shopping!

[@audreyscrocheting]

I've been a crochet girlie for the past 2 years, I'm loving it and it's taken over any second of free time I have xD It does have a constant buying component to it though, since you need the yarn to do projects... I'm working on that aspect, trying to figure out what size stash I'm comfortable with and what my budget for yarn should be

[@lolgrigio]

Thanks Shawna, well put. I have managed to keep cooking as my hobby and passion for life, thank goodness. I have also been sewing since I was young so can pick up things from the repairs basket if I'm bored. Having a no-buy year and facing up to my addiction, it's been really interesting to re-expose myself to one of my biggest triggers which is shopping with my mum. She always used shopping as a way to celebrate, commiserate, say sorry, say thank you etc. Now if she takes me shopping for my birthday, I have a very clear list of something I've actually been holding off and haven't been able to splurge on like a decent pair of boots or high quality bras and swimwear that will last for years. I don't want to aimlessly shop and mindlessly consume just because it's on someone else's credit card.

[@shawnaripari]

This sounds like wonderful progress! Congratulations 🎉

[@marys6610]

Hobby Lobby I've often called a happy place for me, because it makes me feel creative because there's so much art supplies there and the store just has a really happy peaceful vibe to me, maybe because art as a hobby brings me joy too and it's a store full of art supplies. But I do have to be careful and mindful when I go into Hobby Lobby and limit myself to a budget or I will go nuts in there.

[@rockinrolldog]

I've been recently diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood and it has completely changed the way I approach hobbies. A lot of people talk about being over-stimulated with neurodivergency but I experience terrible mental health from being understimulated. So now I specifically choose to do a variety of hobbies that are either stimulating for my body (repetitive movements) or my brain (learning, critical thinking, creativity). For example, one of my hobbies is watching figure skating, but sitting for an extended period of time on the couch is (physically) understimulating no matter how engaged I am mentally. So I pair it with quilting, which is actually very physical (cutting, piecing, pressing fabric, and actually quilting). My ADHD brain also craves variety, so I also have a few hobbies like learning Korean, reading, or taking classes online that fully engage me mentally.

[@andikelley2295]

I've been knitting most of my life and it's definitely my favorite hobby. It has enough instructions that I don't feel the pressure to think too much, but it's still creative. I can do a simple project for comfort and relaxation, or I can challenge myself to learn a new technique which is always rewarding. I enjoy the process, but it also feels productive because I end up with a clothing item at the end. Knitting can definitely lean towards shopping and spending money, but I think if you do into it with the right mindset, you can prevent some of those issues.

[@ShroomieCrossing]

My hobby right now is to make things with what I already have on hand! So fun to make something exciting without spending a cent and clearing out scraps. So far it's been a lot of wood projects since someone in the neighborhood threw away their scrap wood. But if you're crafty, I highly recommend paper mache or needle point. Very cheap crafts with lots of possibilities and a simple set of supplies.

[@NeptunesHorses5909]

My shopping has always been hobby/lifelong interests related. I have overbought, and overestimated what painting I was going to be able to do in a horrible apartment, and sold off about half of my limited edition sculpture casts to paint as time sanity (prepping on larger pieces) and for funds for purchase/moving/reno. I've streamlined and prioritized/ preshopped the art media I'm most interested in. Studying literature as a third area of humanities study has added to the books/media, but parts of my two large rooms were going to be library walls anyway. Try to use lighter watching in the evening with art prep work to wind down.

[@kierstinl3787]

This was such a good video, super insightful and helpful to know that I'm not alone and dealing with the struggles of shopping as a hobby.

[@sofia.thibes]

I love crocheting! whenever I get the itch to shop, I find some project to do. I have a great time watching tv and crocheting or listening to audiobooks and crocheting and I get something new at the end! I wanted to shop for a fruit bowl, I made a fruit hammock, I wanted to shop for a sweater, I made a sweater! it takes away longer than shopping to get the "reward" but I love everything that I've made and take such care of it, it is so worth it. not even to mention that having to work more for a sweater, for example, slows down the whole process and I end up enjoying it much more and for much longer than if I had bought it on a whim and got tired of it within the week! highly recommend :) There is always the problem of buying too much yarn - but having the certainty and the mindset of buying yarn specific for 1 project, finishing it to then buy more is great! and I never get yarn online. I figure out what kind I will need and then ask my partner to drive me to Michael's - he hates spending longer than 10 minutes in a store so I just have enough time to grab what I need and leave lol

[@bandanarathore]

My issue is when I get a new hobby (mostly related to crafting of some kind) , I want to get the best possible must have things for it to avoid spending money again and again, this way I end up spending quiet much.. 😅 But those things do serve me well. This sometimes makes me feel guilt of spending (I used to do impulse buying earlier). I think I am reaching the other end where I am feeling guilty about even the good long term purchases. Can you please make a video on how to get out ouf this feeling, how to not feel guilty about spending on good quality things.

[@AussieERS]

I find it so tricky! I only shop when I'm happy (very noticeable that if I'm stressed or sad I have no interest). I find fashion and creating and wearing fun outfits every day. When i love what I'm wearing and how i feel it has a follow on affect of wanting to look after myself well by eating good food and exercising. Enjoying clothes also gives me more social confidence. I'm more likely to feel at ease when I'm comfortable in what I'm wearing.

I've picked up knitting during the pandemics and crochet a while later and they have really helped me through tough times. I used to read and write and study languages, all of which I do much less nowadays because my actual work involves them. But I still do it. For some months in 2019-2020 I would do yoga everyday, and I would like to return to it, but it's hard. But I've tried very many hobbies during my life and would like to try some more, I guess I just really like learning

[@turtlebones09]

I opened a library card at my local library and listening to audio books and reading digital has gotten me back into reading. I used to read so much as I kid that my teacher and I established a year-long, school-wide reading competition for the student body. I always wanted to learn how to longboard, so I bought a board and have been learning to cruise for 3 months!

[@Doris86pl]

for me it's reading, learning something new, classical music concerts, opera, ballet, riding bicycle, crafting, learning new languages, jigsaw puzzles, etc.

[@constantreader1422]

my favorite hobbies: video games, reading, paint by numbers, designing and putting together beaded bracelets, and occasionally building lego sets. those still require shopping sometimes, but i look for sales and deals. my switch has so many games bookmarked for when they are discounted. haven't bought a full priced game since i got my switch... in 2020.

[@kelliekozak1439]

One of the ways I can differentiate between my hobbies and fixations is how much shopping I want to do. When I get a fixation, I want to buy everything I could ever need, but then barely use it or never start at all. When I pick up a new hobby, I find myself starting out small with items I already have or a small starter kit, and I'm happy to do it even without all the extra stuff. I just started cross stitch with a kit I randomly received as a gift, and I even though this project is not my style at all, it's so relaxing and I'm excited to work on it.

[@rosecafecito]

I noticed, years ago, that I shop as a trauma response. When I was in my 20s and finally had a job, my mom would ask for my money, or take it. She'd sometimes say she'd give it back, but never did. So I learned to spend my money on MYSELF before she could get a hold of it. I'd done it for so long, I didn't realise that's what I was doing. I've tried for the last year to curb it, but like you said, it feels "hollow." I've been more mindful over the last month, and it's still hard, but I think I'm doing so much better. I'm attempting to fill it with drawing again.

[@Prev_C]

I have changed the way I shop, 3 years ago. Now, I have more of a purpose for my current shopping. for my home. I have moved and need bookcases, tile and lighting.

[@MirandaPurpleClouds]

Havent watched the full video yet but i want to write about my hobby. Its cheap and fun and make me happy, because it contains lots of steps that i enjoy all of them. Collaging! Im collecting free magazines from things and just glue them into a notebook. Its also a nice way to "collect" cute stuff (mainly plushies from the toy store magazine) without buying them. I can appreciate the colours and cuteness and its a nice way to use some of the free papers when im getting them anyways. (Of course ill recykle everything else we get, like the weekly grocery ad paper thingys, after they are used)

[@Skimmer951]

As a neurodivergent who deep dives heavily into my hobbies and nerdy interests im always faschinated by people who claim they cant have one or dont have one. I make cosplays, i read manga and webtoons (we even have a bookclub for it) i make jams, I play and run tabletop games. And ofcourse videogames. I never knew people turned to shopping to alleviate boredom. But i know shopping as a stress response i know i often browse steam or the playstation shop when im sad, when brain does that i go the grindiest game I have and play to distract myself until the emotions settle and the shopping itch disappears. Has been very helpful.

[@sosichan]

I was also a stress shopper later I needed another outlet so I got into knitting again. I am now a master in obtaining 2nd hand yarns, created a community on Twitch and have a much better habbit that soothes me a lot

[@deebrandao5679]

Growing up my hobbies were sports or music related. But then I stopped having music classes and developed lesions in high school which meant I stopped doing that and was just playing video games. After that I developed a chronic illness that affects my mobility and with the loss of time to game I discovered crochet. I saw a few tiktoks and went to my dolar store, bought a skein of yarn and a hook and I've been crocheting for 2 years now. Since then I've picked up knitting, reading, bookbinding and watching motorsports and I'm starting to pickup drawing/coloring/painting and diamond painting too. I also sometimes code for fun, but I'm not counting it as an hobby because 99% of code I write is for school and I also really just want to get back into sports somehow but unfortunately it's not a possibility rn due to multiple factors. All of these hobies do have a consumer side to it, so I just try to buy what I absolutely need for a project and build my stashes overtime (and somehow in 2 years of doing this I already have a very big yarn stash that I need to get rid off, lol)

[@cheyenne_spring]

I appreciate the sentiment behind your video, one needs to be careful about what type of hobby they have. Do you buy your books? or do you use the library? Do you get them on Amazon, and therefore are buying them? I know people who have hundreds and hundreds of books, some read some for the 'next read' . If you are crafting, you get into all of the stuff you need and then want for your crafting can become extremely expensive as well.

[@shawnaripari]

Yes, you're totally right that shopping can creep into hobbies

[@heatherethereal]

you're my new comfort youtuber ♡ your videos are always so relaxing and comforting

[@iseemyselfinthesparrow1312]

(Just my list of hobbies:) Anything involving being outside feeds my soul, especially hiking in forests, wading in streams, foraging, plant and bird identifying/watching, and kayaking. Unfortunately not running anymore its a bit too hard on my knees. I love gardening but living situation makes it a bit difficult so that one is mostly on hiatus. I also love reading cross-stitching, reading, language learning, political and global education, and astrology. Those are the things that stuck and are consistent with, as many others with adhd I've tried probably too many hobbies. I am engaged with community for about half of those (to varying degrees). I do crave more community in most of them, this video does remind me to put that desire into action

[@lifeoutnumbered]

Hobbies can be a wolf in sheep clothing too. The shopping hobby can hide itself within other hobbies. Needing new running gear often or continually buying more books while you are currently reading a series, have a huge yarn stash that you don't have plans for. Searching for sales on items related to your hobby when you don't need them and have the financial means to buy full price (the hunt for a bargain) etc. I find with knitting as my hobby I see overconsumption in the community a lot. I think that's something we need to be aware of. I try to make sure I'm not overbuying at any given time and that my periods of no consumption balance out with the periods of shopping.

[@Aleatoire9]

I’m just starting this video but I feel like hobbies and shopping kind of go together - almost every hobby is pay to play to some degree so I’m not sure shopping is a hobby so much so as the hobby needs to be shopped for in order to participate? I’m not saying over consume, but it seems naive / impossible to not buy a single thing in order to have hobbies, unless that hobby is something like walking (even then - good shoes!)

[@Aleatoire9]

I think my point is - shopping (for clothes) was a hobby for me for many years, and I’m now deciding I want to have other hobbies (like reading, journaling, sewing) and these hobbies sometimes require buying at least one thing to be able to do it. So because the hobby involves shopping it just seems like I’m adding more shit to the pile of shopping even though it’s for a different reason and it just feels gross so I give up on having and pursuing hobbies. Sigh

[@DL-idk]

@@Aleatoire9 Reading could be free with a library card (unless you’re like me and all your local libraries are in another language 😅). Journaling can be done with a $1 notebook with a regular pen (or even pencil). Try it free or REALLY cheap to see if you like it. I think reading is probably the easier to manage hobby here, because journaling is also a slippery slope with an entire rabbit hole at the bottom of it. And as for sewing…personally I’m doing everything by hand with just needles and threads. But it is very slow and I totally understand why people want to invest in a sewing machine (could get expensive really quick though. I’ve seen people with lots of different machines for different purposes. Even get them secondhand it’s still an investment/commitment).

[@Shirumoon]

Yes, I feel like the only low shopping hobbies are (some) sports or reading if you can limit yourself to your library, libby and KU.

[@alisonsmith7162]

Doing stuff for others eg taking oldies shopping, or their errands also gets the focus off ourselves.

[@ann-gt4hh]

Oh this was a nice video to listen to! I am most certainly someone who watches tv and movies as a hobby, usually with my partner so we can talk about shots, scoring, dialogue-really everything behind how tv and films get to be where they are! We also love to fix poor scripts (I cannot tell you how many alternative scripts for Star Wars the Last Jedi we have come up with lol.) I think in total my hobbies are; - Writing - Reading (though I do this less bc of school rn) - TV/Movies - Playing videogames - Drawing/painting (doing less bc of school again) - Baking/Cooking I want to make these things hobbies; - kickboxing, the gym I went to closed down and I don't like the vibes of the other places in town :/ - Sewing - Doing crochet - Playing card games/board games

[@gathamore]

Been an avid reader since I was a child, an hr or 2 daily reading, podcasts on current affairs and yes my fav ie gardening. Planning for it, getting compost and soils, flowers, looking at various yt videos... Its just soo satisfying to see your plants get new leaves. Looking at healthy roots, trimming repotting .. oh and buying a few exotic plants and pots if I save up and dont indulge in ordering food online😂

[@lane6216]

I tell my children all the time, I want them to be content when they are grown. (One is 23, so he’s already experiencing that.) Happiness usually comes from external sources, contentment comes from within.

[@gwenmph]

My special interests are my entire personality so my hobbies are very important to me. They do tend to rotate which one is like bearing the heaviest load, so right now I’ve been focusing a lot on continuing my tattoo journey and reading about tattoo history. I just kind of live and breathe tattoo right now. But fountain pens and stationery are always a big part of my life. I’ve been doing a lot of diamond painting and watching anime. I’m trying to get back into reading.

[@shmataboro8634]

I once dated a guy whose idea of a good date was to go shopping. I do mean Once. One date, shopping, never again. He definitely needed a hobby.

[@Inlelendri]

One thing I've noticed is with crafting/creating hobbies that there's a very big difference in being in the hobby to have created something and being in it creating something. If you merely want the finished product, then you're not actually enjoying the hobby. Which is fine, but to keep the hobby up, you have to find that contentment in doing. Even when it's repetitive or tedious. The process is part of the hobby.

[@allyberry33]

The most impactful thing you've said for me is pointing out that shopping also includes the time spent managing the returns. Getting the thing where it goes, tracking the refund to make sure it's processed in your account. So stressful and such a wasteful use of time and brain space.

[@kittenandgoat]

Education and learning are huge for me in my hobbies. I do mixed media art journalling and I sew - there is always so much more to practice and learn - classes to take and patterns to try

[@julianajaxson]

I have worked in luxury retail for 8 years (both Bloomingdales and Nordstrom on the resume). I used to shop so much because believe it or not the employee discounts are amazing and started out as a really good college job. I think I was a shopaholic - luckily I found Poshmark and sold about $12k over the years but I was shopping a lot and making a lot all on commission (before shopping online was big if you can imagine).. transitioning out of that lifestyle especially with it all around you is hard… what made me stop was making the hobby I guess to travel abroad once a year which I e done every year since 2015 except for in Covid and this year although booked due to a pretty decent injury from a car accident. If not a hobby perhaps higher goals than material things or atleast investment material items (automatic watches - not battery watches, gold, good furniture) but maybe like hiking and using the urge to buy things when you reach milestones for your hobby such as new hiking gear each step of the way like those cute vests or shoes… also men do appreciate women with hobbies tn at as we do for them… hope maybe some of that is helpful!

[@Laurasaurus5]

I think it really helps to be honest with yourself that shopping does feel really good! Especially if you're really good at it! You do develop a set of skills and a base of knowledge, and when that intersects with the physical world, there's a real satisfaction happening there. It sucks that our main options in the physical world after "working hours" are consumer shopping, drinking, and eating. Those are reliable things that are always there with out you having to commit to it! The more it gets darker earlier, the fewer "high reward" options you have in that time frame after work when your dopamine is dangerously low. I think scheduling low stakes social hangs in this time slot helps, or even a few hours of side hustle (doordashing, ubering) so you're making money instead of spending money. But yeah, the reality is, these places are open at these times because the desire to shop is profitable at these times! (Plus we all feel tired and fat at the end of the day and want to fix it with money!)

[@LJernegan]

I have 3 hobbies right now. I knit, read, and am training to walk a half marathon. The reading is old, the walking is new, and the knitting has come back into my life after a long hiatus. It is hard to not buy too many books or balls of yarn! I do enjoy all three hobbies as well as on line communities or podcasts for each one. I knit and read every day, and walk 3 days per week. My daughter grew up so now I have more time to spend on fun.

[@GelaMarie83]

I also rediscovered reading recently. I started last year reading like 15 books and this year I'm already at 30.