Staying Sane in Lean Times
Having hobbies these days can feel very suffocating. Manufacturers are now quick to embrace this group, where love is often shown in the form of eye-watering expenses and celebration of excess. Social media heightens the stake. Everything is somehow reduced to how many and how much. Sometimes, it feels like the days of quaint collecting or lazy reading are gone, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Chief to my interests are reading, gaming, and making. Much to my friends' surprise, I don't actually follow release schedules for anything but Magic: the Gathering (only because I host my local community and have to coordinate meetup schedules about 2-3 times a year). I have budget for my hobbies to set aside every month (when I can), and only when I feel like buying a new book or video game I check what's on sale and what new release I might want. I don't feel the need to have the latest and greatest, because in my eyes books and games don't have shelf life. I just finished a novel published mid-2000s and a video game published 3 years ago. I don't think getting them on release would've changed my perspectives on them.
I don't buy before I have exhausted what I have, so almost every book in my house is read. I usually have 1-2 books on my bedside table waiting to be cracked, but I never let the number builds up to be unmanageable. I attended a fair where I bought two dozen titles at once, then did not buy anything else until I got the pile down to two. Generally, unless the book is from a small indie publisher, I'm not afraid of finding it out of print when I am ready to get it. Similar case for video games. If I find an interesting title, I jot it down my wishlist to check when I have both the funds and the time to read/play it. Usually, once the initial infatuation has faded, you will find yourself more critical when it comes to choosing a title to actually buy.
I have recently become aware of how robust library system can be in certain countries (sadly not mine). If you can leverage your local library network, do it!
I will never be the coolest kid in the group: I have not watched or played this hot new title, I might in a couple years. Or not, because they are totally not my cup of tea. I might not have touched this cool new series because I have another series to finish and I don't want to rush. My TBR is baby number, so what. I love my stationeries, but I have no need of four pens of the same model just because a Limited new colorway drops. I like to keep things in sizes I can process, enjoy, and appreciate. On my own pace.
This means I often miss out on sales or other good deals, but I don't mind!
A big part of my lifestyle is an aversion to social media. I was never interested in one: not Friendster, not Facebook, not Instagram, not Tiktok... so my hobbies are mine and mine alone. I suspect for a lot of people letting go of communities can be difficult, especially if the communities are generally healthy/provide you with your fill of social interactions. You don't have to live completely isolated, but it would take more discipline and awareness to exercise restraint. You yourself know what would trigger FOMO, so curate what you watch, read, or visit if you feel like it's detriment to your mental health or financial situation.
On that note, I would suggest to leave any place that makes you feel you need to have X or spend Y to be part of the club. Healthy communities will let you engage with your hobbies on the level you are comfortable with. My way is not everyone's way, so if you feel like you're drowning in pressure and expectation, restate your relationship with your hobbies and communities and what you actually want out of them.
A full life doesn't have to be consumerist (but it doesn't have to be minimalist too).
Here's to finding that sweet spot.