Hobbies - By K.D. Lakithi Liyanga Kumarage

Written By: K.D. Lakithi Liyanga Kumarage

Category: Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the thoughtful essay "Hobbies," K.D. Lakithi Liyanga Kumarage delves into the evolving role of hobbies in our rapidly advancing, technology-driven world. This piece, part of the esteemed Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, examines how leisure activities have transformed over time and the significance they hold in maintaining social connections and personal well-being. As we navigate an age dominated by artificial intelligence, this essay invites readers to reflect on the balance between technological advancements and the timeless pursuit of hobbies.

About the Work

K.D. Lakithi Liyanga Kumarage's essay explores the historical and contemporary significance of hobbies in human life. It eloquently captures the shift from hands-on activities to digital pastimes, highlighting the benefits of traditional hobbies in counteracting the isolating effects of modern technology. Through insightful commentary, the author urges a reconnection with activities that foster creativity, physical health, and social bonds, underscoring how these pursuits are integral to our humanity.

Hobbies

Original Submission by K.D. Lakithi Liyanga Kumarage

Hobbies

In today's AI-driven world, people have begun to depend solely on technology. People are beginning to lose themselves in the miracles and wonders of technology. For work and leisure, people depend on digital technology.

In the past, people have fulfilled their needs and wants all by themselves. They reaped the harvest of their own hard work and efforts. But now, due to the advancement in technology and the introduction of online platforms, humans, who are social beings, have become less socially connected. Many people spend hours scrolling through social media, and depend on AI to fulfill their various tasks. In ancient times, people had done all their work by themselves. They engaged in their day to day activities collectively with each other. They got the help of their friends, family, animals and nature in order to get their jobs done. Cooking, gardening, working, hunting, swimming, were all part of their daily routines.

Gradually, with the beginning of the industrial revolution, people began to get the help of machines to get their jobs done. They began to get some of their work done by machines, which made them have some spare time in their hands. The Industrial Revolution did not create hobbies, but it gave many people more leisure time, allowing hobbies to become more common and diverse. When people began to get the help of machines to fulfill their tasks, people began to have some free time. But it is the nature of humans to engage in some kind of task and never sit still idly for a long time. Therefore, they began to engage in some leisurely activities and called them hobbies, to make practical use of their time. Some of these were connected with their old daily routines. For example, people began to engage in gardening as a hobby. Also they engaged in singing, dancing, and painting which were also considered as hobbies.

With the passage of time, and the development of technology throughout the globe, the society and human beings became more and more sophisticated. With this development, the varieties of hobbies also began to get developed over time. Until the recent years, people have kept up the practice of ancient times by engaging in hobbies such as gardening, singing and painting etc. In addition to these, some new kinds of hobbies also came into being with the passage of time. Reading, cycling, swimming, travelling, writing, collecting, baking and even inventing have come under the new list of hobbies.

Until recent years people have kept on engaging in these kinds of hobbies in the spare time. But nowadays, due to the recent developments in technology and the introduction of AI, and also due to the busy schedules and complexity of human lifestyles, people have begun to gradually get distanced from these peacemaking leisurely activities. At present, it is widely visible that human beings spend all of their time looking at screens and scrolling up and down through social media. They get most of their work done with the help of AI and even tend to spend their leisure time on phones. Human beings have begun to get distanced from the practical nature of life. The same humans who had spent half of their lives with nature have begun to get distanced from nature and even with each other. Humans who are considered as social beings have begun to shed their socialism by engaging in social media but without true interactions with each other. People who had invented games in order to make practical use of their time and to increase their bonds with each other, have neglected these social activities and instead have begun to keep their eyes glued to the screens.

Humans have given up doing practical things in their free time and engaging in hobbies and instead they have chosen to look at YouTube and scroll through Tiktok a major part of the day. Today's children spend more time using smartphones and tablets than previous generations. While technology offers educational opportunities, excessive screen time often replaces outdoor play, reading and creative hobbies. Encouraging children to develop hobbies from a young age helps them build discipline, patience, imagination and healthy lifelong habits. People have even forgotten the major benefits acquired by engaging in hobbies. Some of these benefits are, giving exercise to body and mind, helping us to keep fit, reduce the risk of many physical and mental health problems, keeping our lives practical, calming our mind in times of turmoil etc. Researchers have also shown that engaging in enjoyable hobbies helps reduce stress hormones. Activities like painting, gardening and music improve emotional wellbeing and lower anxiety. Reading, solving puzzles and learning musical instruments stimulate the brain, improve memory and increase creativity throughout life. Active hobbies such as cycling, swimming and hiking strengthen the heart, improve muscle strength and reduce the risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Many hobbies encourage teamwork, communication and leadership. Joining clubs, sports teams or volunteer groups helps people build meaningful friendships and develop confidence. Creative hobbies encourage people to think differently, solve problems and express emotions. Many inventors, scientists and artists developed their greatest ideas while pursuing hobbies outside their professions.

Studies suggest that employees who regularly engage in hobbies often return to work feeling more refreshed, focused and productive. Technology and artificial intelligence are remarkable achievements that have transformed human life. However, they should never replace the simple activities that enrich our minds, strengthen our bodies and connect us with one another. Hobbies remind us of our creativity, curiosity and humanity. In an age increasingly shaped by machines, preserving hobbies is not merely a way to spend our leisure time-it is a way of preserving what makes us truly human.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 organized by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices and talents in the literary arts. It encourages participants from around the world to share their unique perspectives through poetry, essays, and creative writing. This competition is a testament to the power of words in connecting cultures and inspiring change, providing a stage for both emerging and established writers to showcase their work.

We extend our warmest thanks to K.D. Lakithi Liyanga Kumarage for their insightful exploration of "Hobbies" in the context of our technologically advanced age. This essay, submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, offers a compelling reminder of the importance of balancing modern conveniences with the enriching practices of leisure and creativity. Your contribution is a valued part of this literary celebration.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.