The dark side of serious leisure: The tension between passion and pressure

While serious leisure activities, like hobbies, can enhance our wellbeing, this is not always the case. Depending on the activity and our approach, hobbies can become harmful. For example, when passion turns into obsession because of perfectionism. In this presentation, I explore six points on this topic and refer to my ongoing research program on Serious Leisure. First, I explain the danger of feeling forced to have a hobby. Some people may assume they must have a hobby because of a social pressure, but it should always be a personal choice. Second, I will discuss the potential risk of transforming a passion into an obsession. Third, I address the impact of unrealistic expectations. Hobbies cannot work miracles. For example, we might start yoga with the belief that it will instantly bring us inner peace. However, it does not happen over a night. Fourth, I highlight how a sense of agency is crucial in choosing a hobby and in deciding whether to pursue or abandon it at any point without feeling shame or guilt. Fifth, I discuss how some hobbies, due to exclusivity, can create division rather than inclusion. Finally, I demonstrate how certain hobbies, by their essence, are classified as deviant leisure.