Is there a hobby of yours that people call pointless? How would you defend it?

B Natural answer

Sure. I spend a lot of time sketching random corners of the city, and people sometimes say it’s pointless because the drawings aren’t for work and I’m not trying to sell them. I get why they see it that way, but for me it’s actually very practical in a personal sense. It forces me to slow down and look closely, which is rare in normal life. The hobby is hands-on, so I’m not just consuming something; I’m making something with my own attention. And because each page gives me small wins, I stay motivated without needing some huge grand project. I’d also argue it’s not just passing time. It trains observation, patience, and a bit of discipline, and those things spill over into everything else I do. It also gives me something concrete to show people, which makes the effort feel real. So if somebody says it’s pointless, I’d say they’re measuring it with the wrong standard.

Key phrases in this answer

• hands-on — involving direct physical activity rather than just watching or thinking“Sketching is hands-on, so it feels more real than scrolling.”
• small wins — little signs of progress that keep you motivated“Finishing one page at a time gives me small wins.”
• switch off mentally — to stop actively thinking about work or stress for a while“Model trains help me with switching my brain off after work.”
• mental reset — a break that clears your mind and helps you feel refreshed“A long afternoon on the layout gives me a mental reset.”
• more than idle time — something that has value beyond killing time“For me, drawing is not just passing time.”
• quiet discipline — a low-key habit that builds patience and self-control“Restoring pens is a quiet form of discipline.”