Difference between Hobby and Interest

There are a lot of passions, hobbies, and interests that we have. Sometimes we take a step forward to make our hobbies the source of our income, i.e., profession. However, making one's hobby, a full-time profession is considered a grave risk; still people have managed to earn a livelihood out of these hobbies. For example, someone who loves dancing becomes a dancer or someone who loves to talk, becomes a podcaster, etc. All of us have some hobbies and interests that we like to do in our free time. These hobbies and interests can be writing, blogging, reading, painting, gardening, etc. But only a few of us choose to earn a living by making them full-time professions. Now, what are hobbies and interests? We might think they are the same, but they are not. There are some key differences between them. But before moving on to the contrasting points, let us look at the primary meanings of hobby and interest.

Hobby

A hobby is defined as an activity that is done in free time for pleasure by people. A hobby is a regular activity that is done for leisure. Hobbies make a person more creative the imaginative. Some of the hobbies include artistic pursuits, collecting themed items and things, playing several sports, etc. People become good artists by following their hobbies. For instance, one can become a good woodcarver, bell collector, or a stamp-collector. The hobbies of people sometimes make way for name and fame. Now, why do people have such hobbies? Well, doing what you like doing the most brings a sense of peace and joy into one's life. Hobbies help us in improving our skills and knowledge. Some people specially take classes to polish their skills (dancing, singing, painting, etc.). According to studies, undertaking hobbies in free time helps in relieving one from stress, depression, anxiety, etc. We are often advised to scribble, paint, or write whenever we feel low. People often ask certain questions like how to find a hobby? Well, for knowing what you like to do the most, one needs to go back into their childhood and see what did they liked. List out a couple of ideas and try them. Hobbies are done for pleasure, and so one must find a good hobby that they can carry out in their free time.

Interest

Interest is defined as a feeling or an emotion that arouses within a human being that causes to have a focus on a particular object or person. Interests can more or less be related to curiosity. According to contemporary psychology, interests invoke a certain curiosity in people to know about a person or thing. In layman's language, interests are about learning and developing ideas, knowledge, historical concepts, etc. Interests and hobbies are interrelated. For instance, if one's interest is history, then going to a museum is a hobby. Interests play a major role in career building as well. If one has an interest in writing, blogging, marketing, then one can become a content writer, content marketer, content strategist, etc. Interests are the things that make us happy and fulfilled. According to a study, there are six areas of interest, i.e., building, thinking, holding, persuading, creating, and organizing. The interests of a person are based on these six areas. People have several interests, and these interests help in career building. Now, there are several contrasting points between hobbies and interests, so let us take a look at them.

So, these are some of the significant contrasting points between hobbies and interests. Hobbies and interests are an essential part of our life. There is a certain importance of them in one's life. So, let us take a look at the importance of hobbies and interests.

Importance of Hobbies

1. It makes one interesting: One can share the stories with other people that make them interesting. People inculcate specialized knowledge regarding the hobbies they have.
2. Relieves Stress: Hobbies help in fighting anxiety, depression, stress, etc., and inculcates a sense of creativity, calmness, and peace of mind in a person.
3. Increases Self-Confidence: Having specialized knowledge about a particular object or subjects boosts the confidence of an individual.
4. Developing New Skills: Hobbies help in learning and developing new skills. Spending more time doing hobbies makes one better at it.

Importance of Interests

1. Interests help in overcoming academic difficulties and other disabilities like dyslexia.
2. Interests increase the attention and focus of an individual.
3. Interest is a psychological state. It helps in being energetic and focused throughout the day.
4. Interests can either sustain over time or change according to knowledge or skill.
5. Interests help us being fulfilled and happy.
6. It helps us in working hard.
7. One should build a life that is based around personal interests as it will lead to a certain peace of mind.

So, these are the important points regarding hobbies and interests. Interests and hobbies play a vital role in our lives. Therefore, it is important to have hobbies and interests in our lives. If one tries to make a hobby or an interest a full-time profession, then he/ she must not be discouraged because online platforms are the future of showcasing such hobbies and interests of people. Thus, both interest and hobby are essential in an individual's life.