This may be petty of me, that the thing I am commenting on from your awesome and wholesome 'letter is what you refer to as "frittery" and "pointless"... but alas, I am.
Hobbies. I garden, I knit, I bottle things... and many other pursuits that have been called "hobbies". I personally don't use the word, because ironically enough, to me that belittles these activities and makes them seem "pointless", like "frittery" even. But if you want to call them hobbies, knock yourself out.
My gardening hobby means that I grow the majority of our fresh produce and many of our meals have just 10 meters of food miles.
My bottling hobby means that the excess produce I grow continues to feed us through the year and the seasons, with real food, no middle men, and the satisfaction of physical effort on our part. No shopping required.
My knitting hobby means I can go to an op shop, buy second hand wool or a large wool garment that doesn't fit for $5, undo it and turn it into whatever I need.
My sewing hobby is likewise. I mend and patch and mend and patch and alter and recreate and never buy new clothes and only buy second hand clothes once the fabric has gone to holes.
A friend of mine makes candles, she also happens to be one of the most decent human beings on this planet and for her, candle making feeds her soul and brings her joy. The world would be a lesser place without her "frittery" in my opinion.
I also know of a gentlemen who does finger knitting as a hobby. He creates masses of items out of second hand wool for various charities. He loves his self-proclaimed "hobby" and there are people and animals in need that are warmer because of it.
And Sarah, I've gotta say it, there are many people that would call your hikes a "hobby"... please feel that.
I do not disagree that the idea of pointless hobbies are something of a "capitalist confection", created and pushed to dull us into idleness. And yes, there are those who garden or knit or bottle because their insta feed tells them it's fashionable. And yes, our PM with his "essential jigsaw puzzles" simply proved for the umpteenth time that he is a condescending, capitalist muppet.
But I would hope that as we fight for better inclusivity and awareness of all things, that we could learn to be more careful of labels and the baggage that we place upon them with our personal opinions and use of words.
In my opinion, if you undertake a task with no point in the effort or the outcome, it is as you say, pointless. There are many things that could fit in this category beyond hobbies, including many paid jobs and many accepted, respected and aspirational pursuits.
But if you undertake that same task, with purpose and mindfulness, it can cease to be pointless.
If a task/activity/pursuit/hobby can bring meaning and purpose and joy to a person, that person can be a better human.
You ask "what is left if we lose it all?"... if we lose our meaning and purpose and joy, then the answer is "pointlessness". So if a "hobby" can help to bring a person those things, it's not so pointless.
Yes to so much of this! I think there’s a bit of nuance needed to pull out what you describe above, which could be thought of as hard work and quite useful - gardening, canning, sewing etc., from other types of hobbies that are consumption driven.
Sarah, I was interested in the article and your comments on hobbies. I must admit, I see our proclivity towards hobbies as a very natural human condition. Reflective even of some of our best instincts, desires and nature. And I’m not sure I agree they are a particularly modern phenomenon. Of course it might be true that social and economic trends have made the practice of hobbies more accessible to more people in modern times, that collective feelings of anxiety encourage their practice, that capitalism has hijacked them to an extent, that they have been recently ‘moralised’, and that, taken to extremes, the practice of hobbies can cause harm. But surely the human tendency to focus our attention keenly and consistently on a particular activity with a view to mastering it, for no reward beyond the pleasure and satisfaction we gain from the practice (serious leisure, as the article puts it), is not something we have been persuaded into recently. Rather, surely that tendency is born of some combination of: our deep desire for knowledge (and mastery) of the world around us; our quest to find meaning or even the divine in the everyday; our inherent creativity and desire to express it; our appreciation of a repetitive, meditative practice? Like Deb suggested, perhaps it comes down to how we define a hobby, but I certainly don’t limit my definition to what’s sitting on influencers’ windowsills this month. Eg research and reading count as hobbies for me! And if one has motives for a hobby beyond mere pleasure, eg income or mental health benefits, does it cease to be a hobby? I doubt it. Of course, perhaps I’m wrong about all of this, and I’m really just defending the enormous amount of time I spend gardening!
really respect your thoughts and consideration. And i agree...esp re the fact that one limitation comes about when hobbies are indeed commodified. The slant I chose was as someone who felt they HAD to have a hobby. It has seemed at time, to me, that it's almost immoral or reflecting a lack of character to not have one, which, of course, goes to your point about extremes.
you mean having hobbies just 'cos'? bit like going to the gym just 'cos' next door neighbour, person at work or bff does? (I so went to ballet because my bf in prep was going and hated it - I only lasted 6 weeks or so!)
I know personally I 'need' my hobbies, they make me feel human, whole maybe. I know people who don't appear to have hobbies (unless you call having a BBQ and a beer while watching football a hobby!) and they seem to work ...all the time, no time off...not saying you do Sarah but I can't, I need things that keep me sane. Whether that is going for a walk, painting a picture or reading a book, I need outlets for my creativity maybe...not sure.
Great email, thanks Sarah. What it made me feel is, we're all in this together and I'm so glad there are some truly able and truly comprehending people going into it with me. So... what's left for me when everything is stripped away? The strong belief that goodness goes on without me. Goodness will return to turn back history. But what if I survive, yet with no possessions? Actually that's what I always wanted. Sounds naff maybe? Just is... Am I willing to design my life around this answer immediately? I would for sure if I could, but it's not practically doable at present. I would certainly hope for it within 5-10 years
Oh, and the come back with no possessions thing...I went through this thought experiment at 34 ...and committed to living it. I write about it in my book First We Make the Beast Beautiful
There must be 7 plus billions views on life and where it's all going. Someone once said if we're all thinking the same things, someone's not thinking. I happen to agree. None are masters of their own destinations. We weave and swerve thru life until our clock expires. All I know from experience is growth in mind and clues are your only strenghs as the body fades away.
The Universe and all life is by design. Seek that Artist and when found so will you.
I'm struggling to see the beauty in my response. For me, what's left is fear. So much fear and regret in everyone if we lose it all. In my mind, what we stand to gain by continuing to ignore the downslide is just a status quo that keeps people lazy and ignorant.
What are you fearful of losing? I would say that that is possibly your real answer...that's what's left. And that's what you could then design your life to fighting...?
nature has always been here for me, when I've felt my lowest, when I felt I had nobody. the earth has always helped me, so I have been trying my best to help it back
I remember having a bean bag...had it for years right up to adulthood (did have chairs tho) BTW I reckon you do have a hobby - wouldn't you call hiking a hobby?
I love how you refer to 'true north' it makes me think of the etymology of the word Nord from Old Germanic meaning to the"left or below" as north is to left when facing the rising sun. .. A form of daily awakening 🔆
Hi Sarah -- I so appreciate your insights and perspective. You've been so brave and such an example, and you've helped guide my perspective on climate change and consumption. The hobbies portion hit home and feels freeing. A curious side note, I read this post from Charles Eisenstein and thought of you https://charleseisenstein.substack.com/p/on-the-great-green-wall-and-being -- he'd be great podcast guest.
What is left is the higher being within all of us, that is called the Shinga no Ware in Shinto, the Atman in in Hindhuism, the True Self which has a power we will all need to access to prosper now and in the future. It is a higher power that manifests at times of great peace and clarity but ironically at times of great adversity. It is a Self accessible to all and is more real than the human self and once discovered, its a place, space that you dont want to leave,
How do you suggest we talk to our MP's about this in the upcoming election? I'm drafting an email to try and have a face to face or zoom meeting with a moderate liberal - any tips on how we can draw on this and make it relate to policies that they can enact so that everyone can make more of a difference? Education is key but money is also a big point for many - I'm thinking things like cheap kids fashion, doused in polyester and colourful chemicals... which isn't always easy to come by second hand (as they wear their clothes very lovingly!) Vanessa
Yes - we consume so many clothes, as you often talk about, and people do donate or are starting to recycle but where is the action on how they are made? The ethical brands - many are amazing but are too expensive for many & op shops don't always carry kids clothing as it is well worn. Perhaps society needs to change our views on what we wear - plain clothes need to make a comeback if we have to cheaply produce.
Sarah, I love this. I would agree with you. it seems that the good life is having a consistently curious and neutral look into oneself. constantly digging deep into the belief that we are all we need.. at the end of the day. but as you say, not all of us have the luxury of self reflection.
This may be petty of me, that the thing I am commenting on from your awesome and wholesome 'letter is what you refer to as "frittery" and "pointless"... but alas, I am.
Hobbies. I garden, I knit, I bottle things... and many other pursuits that have been called "hobbies". I personally don't use the word, because ironically enough, to me that belittles these activities and makes them seem "pointless", like "frittery" even. But if you want to call them hobbies, knock yourself out.
My gardening hobby means that I grow the majority of our fresh produce and many of our meals have just 10 meters of food miles.
My bottling hobby means that the excess produce I grow continues to feed us through the year and the seasons, with real food, no middle men, and the satisfaction of physical effort on our part. No shopping required.
My knitting hobby means I can go to an op shop, buy second hand wool or a large wool garment that doesn't fit for $5, undo it and turn it into whatever I need.
My sewing hobby is likewise. I mend and patch and mend and patch and alter and recreate and never buy new clothes and only buy second hand clothes once the fabric has gone to holes.
A friend of mine makes candles, she also happens to be one of the most decent human beings on this planet and for her, candle making feeds her soul and brings her joy. The world would be a lesser place without her "frittery" in my opinion.
I also know of a gentlemen who does finger knitting as a hobby. He creates masses of items out of second hand wool for various charities. He loves his self-proclaimed "hobby" and there are people and animals in need that are warmer because of it.
And Sarah, I've gotta say it, there are many people that would call your hikes a "hobby"... please feel that.
I do not disagree that the idea of pointless hobbies are something of a "capitalist confection", created and pushed to dull us into idleness. And yes, there are those who garden or knit or bottle because their insta feed tells them it's fashionable. And yes, our PM with his "essential jigsaw puzzles" simply proved for the umpteenth time that he is a condescending, capitalist muppet.
But I would hope that as we fight for better inclusivity and awareness of all things, that we could learn to be more careful of labels and the baggage that we place upon them with our personal opinions and use of words.
In my opinion, if you undertake a task with no point in the effort or the outcome, it is as you say, pointless. There are many things that could fit in this category beyond hobbies, including many paid jobs and many accepted, respected and aspirational pursuits.
But if you undertake that same task, with purpose and mindfulness, it can cease to be pointless.
If a task/activity/pursuit/hobby can bring meaning and purpose and joy to a person, that person can be a better human.
You ask "what is left if we lose it all?"... if we lose our meaning and purpose and joy, then the answer is "pointlessness". So if a "hobby" can help to bring a person those things, it's not so pointless.
Yes to so much of this! I think there’s a bit of nuance needed to pull out what you describe above, which could be thought of as hard work and quite useful - gardening, canning, sewing etc., from other types of hobbies that are consumption driven.
Sarah, I was interested in the article and your comments on hobbies. I must admit, I see our proclivity towards hobbies as a very natural human condition. Reflective even of some of our best instincts, desires and nature. And I’m not sure I agree they are a particularly modern phenomenon. Of course it might be true that social and economic trends have made the practice of hobbies more accessible to more people in modern times, that collective feelings of anxiety encourage their practice, that capitalism has hijacked them to an extent, that they have been recently ‘moralised’, and that, taken to extremes, the practice of hobbies can cause harm. But surely the human tendency to focus our attention keenly and consistently on a particular activity with a view to mastering it, for no reward beyond the pleasure and satisfaction we gain from the practice (serious leisure, as the article puts it), is not something we have been persuaded into recently. Rather, surely that tendency is born of some combination of: our deep desire for knowledge (and mastery) of the world around us; our quest to find meaning or even the divine in the everyday; our inherent creativity and desire to express it; our appreciation of a repetitive, meditative practice? Like Deb suggested, perhaps it comes down to how we define a hobby, but I certainly don’t limit my definition to what’s sitting on influencers’ windowsills this month. Eg research and reading count as hobbies for me! And if one has motives for a hobby beyond mere pleasure, eg income or mental health benefits, does it cease to be a hobby? I doubt it. Of course, perhaps I’m wrong about all of this, and I’m really just defending the enormous amount of time I spend gardening!
really respect your thoughts and consideration. And i agree...esp re the fact that one limitation comes about when hobbies are indeed commodified. The slant I chose was as someone who felt they HAD to have a hobby. It has seemed at time, to me, that it's almost immoral or reflecting a lack of character to not have one, which, of course, goes to your point about extremes.
That’s an interesting perspective, definitely worth bearing in mind.
you mean having hobbies just 'cos'? bit like going to the gym just 'cos' next door neighbour, person at work or bff does? (I so went to ballet because my bf in prep was going and hated it - I only lasted 6 weeks or so!)
I know personally I 'need' my hobbies, they make me feel human, whole maybe. I know people who don't appear to have hobbies (unless you call having a BBQ and a beer while watching football a hobby!) and they seem to work ...all the time, no time off...not saying you do Sarah but I can't, I need things that keep me sane. Whether that is going for a walk, painting a picture or reading a book, I need outlets for my creativity maybe...not sure.
Yes, I’m the same!
Watching Brittany and Grace today felt -and was- very very important. How fortunate we are to have the strength in their voices and actions with us
Great email, thanks Sarah. What it made me feel is, we're all in this together and I'm so glad there are some truly able and truly comprehending people going into it with me. So... what's left for me when everything is stripped away? The strong belief that goodness goes on without me. Goodness will return to turn back history. But what if I survive, yet with no possessions? Actually that's what I always wanted. Sounds naff maybe? Just is... Am I willing to design my life around this answer immediately? I would for sure if I could, but it's not practically doable at present. I would certainly hope for it within 5-10 years
goodness goes on without me...that is really lovely
Oh, and the come back with no possessions thing...I went through this thought experiment at 34 ...and committed to living it. I write about it in my book First We Make the Beast Beautiful
Yah, I tried it too. It was the wrong time...
There must be 7 plus billions views on life and where it's all going. Someone once said if we're all thinking the same things, someone's not thinking. I happen to agree. None are masters of their own destinations. We weave and swerve thru life until our clock expires. All I know from experience is growth in mind and clues are your only strenghs as the body fades away.
The Universe and all life is by design. Seek that Artist and when found so will you.
I'm struggling to see the beauty in my response. For me, what's left is fear. So much fear and regret in everyone if we lose it all. In my mind, what we stand to gain by continuing to ignore the downslide is just a status quo that keeps people lazy and ignorant.
What are you fearful of losing? I would say that that is possibly your real answer...that's what's left. And that's what you could then design your life to fighting...?
Good, big, beautiful question. I guess it's my life and the future of everything I love!
nature has always been here for me, when I've felt my lowest, when I felt I had nobody. the earth has always helped me, so I have been trying my best to help it back
a pretty solid home base!
I would love to have a climate change factoid as you've suggested.
Also love the current news highlights as well - flagging for us things we need to know.
As always thanks so much for your hard work for us all Sarah!
totally random question...why the bricks? thanks for sharing and making us all think
we didn't have chairs...eventually we had beanbags. was a bit sparse, my childhood
I remember having a bean bag...had it for years right up to adulthood (did have chairs tho) BTW I reckon you do have a hobby - wouldn't you call hiking a hobby?
I love how you refer to 'true north' it makes me think of the etymology of the word Nord from Old Germanic meaning to the"left or below" as north is to left when facing the rising sun. .. A form of daily awakening 🔆
that's interesting ...a northern hemisphere notion. Also Western. Indigenous Australian's don't work with "compass" bearings at all.
Yes, I've heard that before. A Northern WA people greet each other with a disclosure as to what part of country they're travelling
Hi Sarah -- I so appreciate your insights and perspective. You've been so brave and such an example, and you've helped guide my perspective on climate change and consumption. The hobbies portion hit home and feels freeing. A curious side note, I read this post from Charles Eisenstein and thought of you https://charleseisenstein.substack.com/p/on-the-great-green-wall-and-being -- he'd be great podcast guest.
What is left is the higher being within all of us, that is called the Shinga no Ware in Shinto, the Atman in in Hindhuism, the True Self which has a power we will all need to access to prosper now and in the future. It is a higher power that manifests at times of great peace and clarity but ironically at times of great adversity. It is a Self accessible to all and is more real than the human self and once discovered, its a place, space that you dont want to leave,
How do you suggest we talk to our MP's about this in the upcoming election? I'm drafting an email to try and have a face to face or zoom meeting with a moderate liberal - any tips on how we can draw on this and make it relate to policies that they can enact so that everyone can make more of a difference? Education is key but money is also a big point for many - I'm thinking things like cheap kids fashion, doused in polyester and colourful chemicals... which isn't always easy to come by second hand (as they wear their clothes very lovingly!) Vanessa
here you go! https://www.sarahwilson.com/2021/02/how-meet-your-local-mp-to-talk-climate/
Thank you - climate action & earth care can role into one with these tips.
do you mean the chemical pollutants issue? Broadly I did a post on how to go talk to your MP. I'll dig it up...
Yes - we consume so many clothes, as you often talk about, and people do donate or are starting to recycle but where is the action on how they are made? The ethical brands - many are amazing but are too expensive for many & op shops don't always carry kids clothing as it is well worn. Perhaps society needs to change our views on what we wear - plain clothes need to make a comeback if we have to cheaply produce.
Sarah, I love this. I would agree with you. it seems that the good life is having a consistently curious and neutral look into oneself. constantly digging deep into the belief that we are all we need.. at the end of the day. but as you say, not all of us have the luxury of self reflection.