It's funny to think about how many ways we're pushed to take up interests simply because they're what people around us like. The time we're encouraged to spend on things that don't actually interest us, just to bond.
In KW, I was surrounded by folks trying to push certain interests on me, or trying to thrust me into chats with their friends because they wanted me to meet X and listen to us talk about Y.
It's such a baffling thing, in hindsight - but maybe that's why I cherish my solitude!
@MLClark interesting because I've never really had anything pushed on me like that. Well, okay, some friends did, come to think of it. But I often tried whatever they were pushing only if a previous interest existed--like the friend who got me into ballet. But try as she could, she couldn't get me to move or get into her fascination with shopping.
Horses, now, have always been a passion. Same for writing. In horse world, my private goal has been to compete at the same level as pros.
Good grief, I couldn't imagine getting into a fascination with shopping! I'm a "get in, get what I need (with duplicates if optimal to cut down on future visits), get out" kinda person. But to each their own!
Horses being a passion *and a life commitment* is certainly something special. I'm glad you know what you love and what enriches you. 🤗
@MLClark oh, this person was hard core into shopping stuff. Watched QVC and all that.
@MLClark A lot of people have been pushed with "Take up this interest so you'll have friends" instead of "make friends you share interests with".
It occurred to me today, though, in part because folks here in MedellÃn are *very* unlikely to have hobbies the same way.
Hobbies are a kind of performance of wealth: I had free cash to spend on X collectible, I had the time & money to cultivate a particular interest in Y. It's deeply cultural in Canada in a way it isn't here.
Heck, here *I'm* the slightly weird person who has specialty baking equipment for a few dishes, but even then I just give out baked goods, not go on and on about moulds.