The Wildly Important, Never-Urgent Practice of Hobbies

In today’s episode, Alan shares how a rare open Saturday—spent hiking into the Colorado mountains to fly-fish—quickly turned into another to-do list. He realized that our most life-giving pursuits (hobbies) are constantly at risk of becoming tasks we “have to” check off. In this conversation, Alan unpacks why hobbies are essential to flourishing, offers a framework for rediscovering them, and gives practical steps to reclaim joy, creativity, and rest in the midst of our busy “have-to” lives. What You’ll Learn: Why Hobbies Matter: How leisure activities serve as mental rest, spark creativity, and renew passion for work and family. Focal Practices: The power of “idle,” present-moment activities that reconnect you to what truly matters. Benefits of Hobbies: From distraction of weighty issues to replenishment cycles that boost productivity. Rediscovery vs. Discovery: Tips for uncovering the hobbies you loved as a kid—or stumbling on new ones today. Practical Steps: How to schedule your first hobby session in two weeks—no guilt, no strings attached. Key Takeaways: Hobbies are “get-to” activities in a “have-to” world. Even large organizations credit “white-space” time for breakthroughs. Simple focal practices (gardening, evening walks, hammocking) anchor joy and presence. Your work, relationships, and well-being depend on carving out hobby time. Action Challenge: Block off a 2-hour window in your calendar this week for your rediscovered hobby—whether it’s fly-fishing, woodworking, dancing, or simply sitting in a hammock—and notice how you feel afterward. Resources Mentioned: Anti-Burnout: A Coaching Pathway The Sabbatical Journey Field Guide Have questions or want to share your hobby rediscovery story? Drop us a note at [email protected] or leave a comment wherever you listen.