Should Adults Keep Doing Hobbies They Are Bad At?
Learn topic-related expressions and join the speaking club to practice them!
Hey, I’m Diana, living in Israel.
Curiosity is my thing—I’m always looking for new things to learn.
If you’re the same, come join me and let’s make learning exciting together.
Topic guide Optional
A quick way to understand the topic and find useful language. Read as much or as little as you like.
1-minute overview
A hobby can be valuable even when progress is slow or talent seems limited. The related talk, “The First 20 Hours,” challenges the assumption that becoming competent requires years of effort: focused early practice can produce noticeable gains. Yet the larger question is not simply how quickly we improve. Adults often bring high expectations, limited free time, and a fear of looking foolish, so they may judge a hobby as if it were a performance rather than personal time.
There is also a tension between growth and ease. Practising something difficult can build patience, humility, and confidence in learning; however, constant frustration can turn leisure into another source of pressure. Social media may intensify this by displaying polished results while hiding repetitive, imperfect practice. A worthwhile hobby may therefore offer curiosity, connection, calm, or small moments of progress, rather than a path to excellence. Different people may reasonably prefer deep mastery, broad experimentation, or an activity they simply enjoy being mediocre at.
There is also a tension between growth and ease. Practising something difficult can build patience, humility, and confidence in learning; however, constant frustration can turn leisure into another source of pressure. Social media may intensify this by displaying polished results while hiding repetitive, imperfect practice. A worthwhile hobby may therefore offer curiosity, connection, calm, or small moments of progress, rather than a path to excellence. Different people may reasonably prefer deep mastery, broad experimentation, or an activity they simply enjoy being mediocre at.
Useful vocabulary
Approx. CEFR · Topic relevance
competence
the ability to do something adequately and with growing confidence
I do not need mastery, but reaching basic competence makes the hobby more satisfying.
deliberate practice
focused practice aimed at improving a particular skill or weakness
Deliberate practice can help, but I would not want every hobby session to feel like training.
intrinsic motivation
motivation that comes from personal enjoyment or interest rather than external rewards
If intrinsic motivation disappears, it may be difficult to continue when progress is slow.
performance anxiety
worry about being judged while doing something in front of other people
Performance anxiety stops some adults from joining beginner classes.
plateau
a period when improvement seems to stop after earlier progress
A plateau can feel discouraging, although it does not always mean the hobby is no longer worthwhile.
self-compassion
a kind and realistic attitude toward yourself after mistakes or difficulty
Self-compassion can make it easier to laugh at your mistakes and keep trying.
Useful expressions
The value of it may lie less in achievement than in the experience itself.
Use this to shift attention from results to enjoyment, wellbeing, or meaning.
The value of it may lie less in achievement than in the experience itself.
That assumes progress is the main measure of success.
Use this to question an improvement-focused view.
That assumes progress is the main measure of success.
There is a difference between healthy challenge and unnecessary pressure.
Use this to distinguish productive difficulty from stress.
There is a difference between healthy challenge and unnecessary pressure.
It depends on whether frustration is temporary or becomes the dominant feeling.
Use this to give a balanced, conditional opinion.
It depends on whether frustration is temporary or becomes the dominant feeling.
Social media can distort our sense of what a normal learning process looks like.
Use this to analyze how polished online content affects expectations.
Social media can distort our sense of what a normal learning process looks like.
Question list
- Ice breaking
- Main topic
- Free talk
| Q1. | Do you prefer solo travel or group adventures? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | Where would you take your future self on a walk? |
| Q3. | What surprising moment made you feel grateful? |
| Q4. | What’s a hilarious misunderstanding that happened to you in another country? |
| Q5. | What would you do if you found out that you were a descendant of a famous historical figure? |
| Q6. | Have you ever had a cultural experience that changed your perspective? |
| Q7. | If you could have any historical figure as a mentor, who would it be and why? |
| Q8. | What is your favorite classic novel and why? |
| Q1. | Do you enjoy hobbies even when you are not good at them? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | Why do adults often quit activities they struggle with? |
| Q3. | Does being bad at a hobby make it less enjoyable? |
| Q4. | Should hobbies be about improvement or relaxation? |
| Q5. | Can struggling with a hobby make people more patient? |
| Q6. | Does social media make people too focused on being impressive? |
| Q7. | Is it better to master one hobby or try many? |
| Q8. | What makes a hobby worth continuing even without talent? |
| Q1. | How do you maintain focus during long meetings? |
|---|---|
| Q2. | What is your favorite memory from your school days? |
| Q3. | What advice would you give someone who can't save money well? |
| Q4. | What is the difference between intelligence and wisdom? |
| Q5. | Why has there been a surge in popularity for meditation and mindfulness practices? |
| Q6. | What is your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? |
| Q7. | Why do we sometimes forget our own accomplishments quickly? |
| Q8. | In your view how important is it to maintain the customs of your ancestors? |
Rules
Please be kind and respectful.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
No flirting! Don't ask for other people's social network, number etc. if he/she refuses to give them.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
Give others an equal opportunity to speak.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
Avoid Smoking / Drinking while you are talking.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
Turning your camera on is mandatory.
Note: You can be banned for violating any of these rules
Ready to join the conversation?
Book your spot and bring your perspective to the discussion.
