How Hobbies Help Us Survive in a Stressful Society
Do you have any hobbies in your daily life? Some people like singing, listening to music, or playing musical instruments. Others prefer driving, cycling, or working out. There are also many people who are passionate about cheering for their favorite TV personalities, athletes, or local sports teams.
When we spend time on something we truly care about, it often helps us release frustration and stress. However, over the past few years, I sometimes feel that many people in Japan — especially younger generations — have difficulty finding what they really like or what they desperately want to pursue in the future. I first felt so and wrote this article in 2020, but my feelings have not changed even now in 2026.
Why Many Japanese People Feel Too Busy Today
Many people in Japan are extremely busy just maintaining their everyday lives. For example, parents often need to manage housework while raising their children. At the same time, they work long hours to support their families. For them, it can be so hard to set aside enough time to focus on personal interests.
On the other hand, some young people tend to feel unmotivated or discouraged because they worry about their future careers, money, and human relationships. In my opinion, one of the reasons behind this situation is the structure of modern society itself.
In some workplaces, working overtime is still treated as something natural or even admirable. On top of that, when a boss invites employees to socialize after work, some workers feel that they cannot refuse the invitation. In certain cases, people even bring unfinished work back home.
Japan is often said to be facing a labor shortage, and the working-age population continues to decline. Even so, it is not always easy for middle-aged workers to find better opportunities or change jobs. Meanwhile, some young people struggle to obtain the kind of job they originally hoped for.
Except for wealthy individuals or celebrities, many ordinary people — including careful homemakers who manage household finances — must constantly consider about how to make ends meet. Because of such demanding circumstances, even when the time comes to have some free time or holidays, people may no longer know what they want to do.
On the contrary, people who feel deeply jealous or stressed sometimes release their frustration on social media. In anonymous environments, some users post harmful or insulting comments about others. In Japan, online slander has become one of the serious social issues.
How We Can Find Hobbies That Help Us Feel Better
I believe that hobbies should be constructive and healthy. For those who already have meaningful activities in their free time, there is little room to worry about. Being absorbed in something — even everyday tasks — can sometimes be rewarding. For instance, I often spend part of my holidays doing housework. I cannot always keep my home in good order during the week since I work on weekdays. In that sense, doing housework on a day off sometimes feels more fulfilling than doing nothing at all.
Inevitably, hobbies should not harm other people or have negative effects on society. In 2020, people around the world experienced anxiety and confusion because of the outbreak of COVID-19. During that time, many individuals felt more frustration and stress than before.
When people lose a sense of meaning or personal identity, they may occasionally act irresponsibly or seek attention in unhealthy ways. In extreme cases, some of them might behave recklessly simply to prove their existence or find out whether they are real within society. The pandemic also made it very difficult for many people to continue the activities they once enjoyed. For example, someone who loved visiting restaurants with friends suddenly had to avoid going out frequently.
However, even in difficult situations, staying at home for longer periods sometimes brings an opportunity for people to reflect on themselves and discover new interests. In today’s digital age (2026), numerous people spend a large amount of their free time on smartphones or social media platforms such as YouTube and TikTok. While technology connects us in a lot of ways, it can also leave us mentally exhausted. This is another reason why meaningful hobbies are becoming increasingly valuable. If you had no clue of what you truly like or what you really want to do in the future, it would be helpful to remember what fascinated you during your childhood. There may be important hints hidden in those early experiences.
In my case, when I was a child, I often enjoyed writing small stories and drawing quick sketches, and recording my voice as if I were a radio DJ. Looking back now, I realize that learning English and singing songs have always been activities that attracted me. Even now, in 2026, I still like writing, drawing, and expressing myself in creative ways. I posted my Japanese sentences like a novel I wrote around 2017 on this page in my weblog. Besides, I put them on NOVEL DAYS, a Japanese novel submission site run by the publisher, Kodansha. Sometime in the near future, I would like to start a podcast.
The Summary
Once again, I believe that hobbies should be wholesome and positive. If an activity harms ourselves or others, it may simply become a bad habit rather than a meaningful hobby. Normally, unhealthy habits lead to more dissatisfaction and frustration.
In modern society, where life proceeds at the speed of light, we may need to create our own paths and even our own types of work. Simultaneously, it is equally vital to develop hobbies that support our mental well-being. Such activities can help us maintain balance and continue living in a stressful world.
If you feel overwhelmed or tired and cannot find something you really like, it would be a good idea to relax for a while. Listening to calm music before going to bed may help you rest your mind. I would like to introduce one of the YouTube pages which provides a relaxing piano performance for a good sleep.
(This is Studio Ghibli Summer Night Piano Collection Piano Covered by kno.)
