From fun to fortune: Can your hobby become a dream job?

Up until a few years ago, children were emphatically encouraged to cultivate hobbies and explore diverse interests. These pursuits enriched them in more ways than one. However, over time, with screens replacing books and video games overtaking outdoor play, the habit of pursuing hobbies has taken a back seat.

While sharing her views on the importance of hobbies for not only children but also adults, Damayanti Bhattacharya, an educationist and principal of a leading school, says, “In a city like Mumbai that challenges us to reinvent and realign ourselves consistently, the importance of having a hobby cannot be emphasised enough. It allows a person to enhance their latent skills, find balance, and feel calmer and more emotionally and mentally stable. Moreover, it offers respite from the mundane nature of one’s daily routine.”

Nurture Mental Wellness
Hobbies keep you engaged while improving your state of mind. Jaya Mehrotra, a life coach, explains, “Beyond leisure activities, they are a gateway to improving mental well-being and reducing stress. Pursuing such activities serves as a powerful antidote to the demands, pressures, and worries of daily life.

They foster creativity and provide a valuable outlet for self-expression whilst playing a pivotal role in maintaining a balanced lifestyle.”

Parallel Careers
Earlier, hobbies were regarded as worthy pastimes, and nothing more. However, the pandemic changed all that. Kaustubh Patil, a Mumbai-based musician-songwriter, mentions that developing a hobby is akin to strategically investing in one’s personal growth and well-being. He further says, “These interests are no longer confined to being just pastimes—they are opening doors to parallel or unconventional career paths. Today, the gig economy is flourishing, with individuals increasingly finding ways to turn their interests into viable income streams. Whether you are an aspiring photographer, a budding chef, or a fitness enthusiast, these pursuits can help build a diverse skill set that can be applied to various aspects of life. As dynamic forms of self-improvement, they foster continuous learning and personal development.” He also states that there is a plethora of opportunities in the form of freelance or online gigs available for those seeking alternative careers and freedom from the traditional nine to-five job culture.

Bhattacharya adds, “Recent years have taught us how hobbies can easily become professions. People have turned to cooking, writing blogs and books, teaching online, and more, thereby turning their passions into professions. They are having fun whilst earning and doing so at their own pace. This is why I urge everyone to cultivate a hobby as it helps build new opportunities and acquire skills that are essential for new age learning.”

Do What You Love
Megha Patel, a homemaker turned entrepreneur, learnt to crochet from her grandmother as a child. As life got busier, she was left with little time to hone her skills. However, during the pandemic, she revived her interest in this craft and developed and polished her technique. Last year, she decided to launch a small venture dedicated to selling various crochet products. Speaking about this initiative, she says, “Thanks to the encouragement from my family and friends, I began making and selling crochet bags and toys online. Little did I know that I could turn something I am so passionate about into a career.”

From cycling, jogging, and trekking to baking, painting, collecting stamps, playing a sport, gardening, dancing, sing ing, and pottery, among other things—there’s plenty you can dabble in. All you need is the discipline, will, and determination to make time for what you love.