Having hobbies that family can validate?

[V1nnyTh3Flam35Fan]

Maybe this is too personal (and possible irrelevant to this forum), but it’s been a hard time having hobbies that my parents disapprove of.

[my mom] recently has invalidated watching hockey and video games as legitimate hobbies. She would say stuff like “you’re an adult, no longer a teenager; those don’t count as hobbies, do something more productive.”

For context, I am a pharmacy assistant and have been on constant job searches to get more consistent hours. I’m in the process of writing my PEBC to hopefully get my license to become a pharmacist.

Yes I can play piano and drums, but I’ve honestly lost passion for those hobbies. And I even join Calgary’s gaming community as a result of my growing passion for video games. (Yes I still live with my parents but most likely because I’m not financially independent enough to live on my own)

It’s infuriating to have a mom that doesn’t approve of my hobbies no matter how much she says she “loves/cares about me”. She’s such a hypocrite because she’s constantly binging Netflix/amazon prime or Facebook shorts when she’s finished with her job.

PS more beef with my mom because she’s forcing me to go to line-dancing lessons with a friend I’ve been barely keeping in touch with, even though I despise country music.

[undercoverbrother]

How old are you

[Amethyst]

It sounds like perhaps she's concerned that you are spending a lot of time alone at home and not interacting with others in person very much right now.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Man… I’m sorry you’re dealing with that. The title of the thread is one of the opposite reason people should have hobbies. They should be for you, to make you happy, to fulfill YOU.

Hobbies aren’t about productivity at all. Or at least, they shouldn’t be.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

To me, hobbies are just that, hobbies.

Regarless of what the hobby is, whether it's something to unwind for pure enjoyment (eg: video games; doom scrolling Instagram/TikTok), or something 'productive' (eg: side hustle, crafting, woodworking) you should only be spending hobby time on your hobbies.

There is a grind culture out there that will burn people out. You need time to unwind and relax.

If you want to play videogames an hour or two a day, that's fine. You want to watch the Flames play (which isn't everyday) that's fine.

However, it shouldn't interfere with family obligations (although I get the sense that isn't an issue right now, you're not playing video games rather than feeding the kids), nor should it interfere with work (showing up late because you wanted one more mission in Call of Duty).

But, you don't magically go from 17 and videogames being a reasonable hobby to 18 and suddenly you're too old for Mario Cart.



It sounds like based on your post your parent is worried that you're spending too much time on your hobbies and not enough focus on work. If that's the crux of their issue, I'd ask for help/advice on the PEBC, talk about the work you're putting into it. You're showing them the work you're putting into it and chancing their focus from what they believe is negative to positive.