How to Integrate Hobbies into a Busy Life

Finding time for personal passions amidst work commitments often feels daunting. The demands of daily responsibilities overshadow the activities that bring joy, leaving little room for hobbies. However, integrating these passions into a busy life is not only possible—it’s essential for maintaining balance and well-being.

To explore how we can harmonize career and personal interests, our team dug out notes by a few experts to share their insights. After analyzing approaches from different angles, we ultimately converging on a thoughtful strategy to make room for hobbies, no matter how packed our schedules might be.

Start small

One expert wrote about a very common struggle: many people misjudge the amount of time they actually have. This misjudgment often leads to overcommitting to work while underestimating the time required for hobbies, resulting in frustration. The key, they suggested, is to start small and be intentional. “Even dedicating just 10 minutes a day to a hobby can create a sense of progress and fulfillment,” they noted.

Example:

Consider someone with a love for painting but a demanding job and family obligations. Instead of waiting for a free weekend to immerse in a painting session, they could set aside 10 minutes each morning to sketch. These small, consistent efforts would eventually build up, allowing them to stay connected to their passion without feeling overwhelmed. Or imagine using an app like Moment, which helps you find others nearby who share your interest in painting. You could easily organize or join a quick sketching session with like-minded individuals, making your passion more social and time-efficient.

Finding activities that you are naturally inclined to

We got introduced to the idea of “time elasticity.” They explained that when deeply engaged in an activity we love, time seems to stretch—hours can feel like minutes. This insight is crucial when deciding which hobbies to pursue. The advice here is simple: prioritize hobbies that naturally draw you in, where you lose track of time because you’re so engaged. For instance you could open the moment app and just browse moments that you find interesting and want to engage in. Sometime you don't even have to send a join request rather just note it for another time.

Use Habit Stacking

Another expert offered a practical solution: “habit stacking.” Rather than carving out separate blocks of time for hobbies, they suggested embedding them into existing routines. He says "Habit stacking works best when the cue is highly specific and immediately actionable" The habit stacking formula is:

After/Before [CURRENT HABIT], I will [NEW HABIT].

Example:

A mother of two who enjoys yoga but can’t find a solid hour in her day might start doing short yoga stretches in morning by incorporating it as: After I pack their lunches each morning, I will stretch for one minute.

Be Flexible

Flexibility was another key point which is often ignored. Life is unpredictable, and rigid schedules can lead to frustration when things don’t go as planned. Instead, it was suggested being adaptable with how and when you engage in your hobbies. If your usual time for a hobby is disrupted, find another moment in your day to enjoy it. The key is to remain committed, but not to the point of adding stress.

Example:

A fitness enthusiast who prefers morning runs might find their usual route closed due to construction. Rather than skipping the workout, they could explore alternative forms of exercise, like trying a new workout video at home or visiting a nearby gym. By staying open to different forms of physical activity, they maintain their fitness routine without the frustration of a disrupted plan.

Finding an Activity Partner

While individual hobbies can be deeply fulfilling, sharing them with someone else can enhance the experience and make it easier to stay committed. Finding an activity partner—whether it’s a friend, family member, or someone new—can provide motivation, accountability, and a shared sense of accomplishment.

Example:

Think of someone who enjoys running but struggles to maintain a consistent routine. Finding a running buddy can transform their experience. Not only do they now have someone to motivate them on those early morning runs, but the shared commitment makes it harder to skip a session. Apps like Moment can help facilitate these connections by matching you with like-minded individuals who are also looking for a running partner nearby.

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The collective insights from these experts suggest that integrating hobbies into a busy life is less about finding more time and more about making better use of the time you have. By starting small, choosing activities that naturally engage you, embedding them into daily routines, and remaining flexible & finally finding an activity-partner you can stay connected to your passions even amidst a hectic schedule.

It’s not about perfection, but persistence—finding joy in the small moments of creativity and relaxation. Apps like Moment make it even easier to stay connected to your passions by connecting you with like-minded individuals nearby who share your interests. Whether you’re looking to organize a casual basketball game, a quick baking session, or a spontaneous hike plan, Moment is designed to help you make the most of your time, creating meaningful, real-life connections that align with your passions. Download Moment now and start making room for what makes life truly enjoyable.

Further resources from these experts whose work helped:

• Amelia Rhodes
• James Clear