Why Do Men Have So Many Hobbies?

I mean, this is normal for me, but is it for you?

Debs has had so many hobbies over the years that he has returned not once, not twice, but sometimes three times to the very same hobby. You may say that is entirely normal and a good use of money. Except nine times out of ten, we have already got rid of the bloody equipment. We’re not a sports shop, you know!

His love of football has never stopped. Since he was a kid, he’s collected football shirts in the right shade of red, along with shirts for his country. Every now and then, though, he decides that watching football isn’t enough and has a go at actually playing it. It never lasts long. A few weeks usually does the trick, just enough to scratch the itch before he is onto something else.

At one point, he even convinced himself to try rugby with a friend. The problem was that he was older by then, as were most of the players, and he got frustrated by the lack of consistency. Which is rich, really, considering he is probably the most inconsistent part of the whole arrangement.

Another long-standing love affair is gaming. We have had countless consoles over the years and so have the kids. It is still not unusual to find Debs on a school night in the spare room, perched on his sim rig and pretending he is a professional racing driver.

“Just off to do my daily miles,” he’ll say.

What the actual fuck?

It’s not your job.

Football and gaming are the constants. They’re part of who he is and have somehow survived every clear-out, house move, and “I’m definitely done with this now” declaration. Everything else, however, is fair game.

In fact, it has become such a family joke that we had a Messenger group called Debs After School Club, where I could send the kids photographic evidence whenever a forgotten hobby makes a comeback.

The best example was kickboxing. Back he went a few years ago, full of enthusiasm and determination.

And, as I am sure you have guessed, he is not doing it now.

I am actually hoping that one does not come round for a third attempt because it required far too much involvement from me. Do not get me wrong, I am supportive. Very supportive.

You want to go on holiday? I’m there.

Fancy a meal out? I’m there.

Cheeky drink at the pub? I’m there.

But all the hours he is busy rediscovering his latest passion? That’s my time. Time to remember how much I enjoy peace and quiet.

You might think I am exaggerating when I say he keeps circling back around, but honestly, some hobbies have had more comebacks than Take That.

The Hobby Hall of Fame

Badminton
Played as a teenager. Took it up again as an adult. Retired once more.

Hunting and shooting
Bought the guns. Got the licence. Lost interest. Sold the lot.

Darts
Played as a kid. Bought a dartboard when the children were young. Got bored. Got rid of it. Fast forward to today and there is another dartboard hanging in the spare room, getting regular use between virtual Grand Prix races.

Snooker
Played as a teenager. Played at the pub whenever he got the chance. Bought cues. Joined a country club. Went every Sunday. Got bored. Stopped. Moved house. Found out the neighbour plays. Bought a new cue. Hobby reinstated.

At least he goes with the neighbour now and not me.

Remote-controlled cars
Bought several. Still owns one. Every now and then he takes it out of the cupboard, looks at it lovingly, does absolutely nothing with it, and I put it back.

Drones
Had a couple. The latest one is currently gathering dust on our grandson’s wardrobe.

Swimming
Not just regular swimming. Extreme swimming. Whatever that means. He was obsessed for a while, then packed it in.

Fishing
Bought all the gear. Went a few times. Decided he did not have the patience. End of hobby.

Running
Ran too fast. Injured himself. I suspect this one has been permanently retired.

The gym
I have genuinely lost count of how many times he’s signed up for a gym, attended enthusiastically for a few weeks, and then continued paying for a membership he never used.

And that is not even the full list.

The truth is that I do admire it. While most of us find one thing we like and stick with it, Debs is endlessly curious. He is always willing to try something new, throw himself into it wholeheartedly, and see where it goes.

Granted, where it usually goes is Facebook Marketplace a few months later.

But still.

At this point, I do not think any new hobby could surprise me. If he announced tomorrow that he had taken up beekeeping, archery, or competitive falconry, I would probably just ask where we are supposed to store the equipment.

And that is the real reason men have so many hobbies.

Not because they are searching for the perfect pastime.

They are just keeping Facebook Marketplace alive. 😄