The half-knitted scarf sits in a drawer next to the half-filled sketchbook. The neglected guitar gathers dust in the corner. For many, this cycle of jumping from hobby to hobby feels endless – an exciting start, then a quick fade into boredom. But what does this pattern mean?

Hobby-hopping is the act of constantly shifting between activities – from skiing to knitting to cooking. Though it may seem like a harmless way to explore interests, experts suggest that constantly switching hobbies can prevent someone from unlocking deeper skills or knowledge.

To become good – truly good – at something, time and effort are required, whether that means months or years. Frequent shifts make it difficult to reach a level of proficiency that brings true satisfaction and growth.

“There’s an aspect of our existence in which we need to learn, and we’re curious; we need to satisfy that curiosity,” social worker Jeff Anderson said. “When we learn new things, we have something to share with others. But if we’re always jumping from one thing to the next, we lose out on the deeper benefits of mastery.”

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF HOBBY-HOPPING

Psychologically, when people start a new hobby, their brain releases dopamine – a neurotransmitter that creates feelings of excitement and pleasure. However, this initial burst of motivation often fades, leading individuals to abandon one pursuit in favor of chasing the next “new” experience.

“Hobbies can be great for mental health, but they can also become a form of procrastination,” Anderson said. “Sometimes we use hobbies as an escape when we should be focusing on responsibilities.”

Many people seek distractions from reality as a way to breathe. Good or bad, hobbies can become a dependent habit that builds over time.

This pattern became especially common among teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before lockdowns, school and work filled most of the day and gave people structure.

According to USA TODAY’s Alia Dastagir, the pandemic “took jobs and experiences, weddings and graduations, safety and certainty. But the pandemic gave, too. It granted time, and many people relished it. People found new hobbies, new perspectives, and new connections. Some people found themselves.” 

With isolation and quarantine limiting human interaction, many students picked up hobbies out of boredom or as a coping mechanism, while others spent their time online. For some, this period of isolation led to productive creativity.

“I had students who struggled in school before the pandemic, and when lockdown hit, they used the time to explore creativity and came back more confident,” Anderson said. “Others, who were thriving before, returned feeling lost, as if they’d forgotten how to engage in deep work.”

People took advantage of the time and looked for items around the house to spark their interests.

“During the pandemic, my hobbies were mostly made up of things I had inside the house, like painting with leftover paint, stealing my sister’s art supplies to draw, journaling in notebooks I already had, etc.,” an online blogger known as hanna said.

She now has six hobbies, including polymer clay, jewelry making, photography, writing, scrapbooking, and journaling.

These hobbies developed during the pandemic and continue to shape her daily life.

“My hobbies helped a lot with narrowing down what I would enjoy doing as a career, like something people-focused or art-focused like computer animation. Hopping hobbies helped me figure out ‘I don’t want a job where every day is the same.’”

HOBBY-HOPPING AND IDENTITY

For teenagers, hobbies can be more than a pastime – they can be a way to explore identity. During the pandemic, many young people took the opportunity to reflect on their interests, personal beliefs, and even their sense of self.

“Part of living well is creating,” Anderson said. “If you’re only consuming and never creating, life becomes stagnant. The pandemic forced many students into boredom, and while some used it as an opportunity to explore new parts of themselves, others struggled to fill the void.”

Quarantine was difficult for many. Once schools reopened, it was expected students would struggle to return to routine—but that wasn’t always the case.

“We actually saw a big jump right away – everyone came back and they were like, ‘I’m sick of being in my room,’ or ‘I’m sick of not doing anything.’ Kids had an appetite for getting involved,” West Chicago Community High School Activity Director Marc Wolfe said.

Hobbies can be a form of self-expression. People who take up new things often have more to talk about and more to share with others.

“They make my life feel more fun. I’m the type of person that needs to be busy 24/7, so having multiple hobbies keeps the motor going,” a WEGO student said via anonymous survey.

Trying new things is what helps individuals uncover new parts of themselves. Many people discovered passions they never would have found without hobby-hopping.

“My hobby of drawing has changed my life – literally all of it. It calms me down, especially after all the stress from school,” another surveyed WEGO student said.

Hobbies can also help people cope with stress or anxiety, especially for those living with ADHD, bipolar disorder, or depression. For some, these activities are more than just fun – they are a way to manage mental health.

THE COST OF HOBBY-HOPPING

Trying something new often comes with a cost. Hobby-hoppers may find themselves buying supplies they never fully use. As inflation drives up prices, even simple materials can be expensive.

The most popular hobbies – including cooking, baking, reading, and crocheting – can cost up to $225 per month when factoring in quality supplies and consistent practice, though the average is $98.

“With every new interest, there’s a cost,” Anderson said. “Someone who jumps from hobby to hobby is constantly investing in supplies they might never fully use.”

This can also teach valuable budgeting skills. Teenagers with limited income often learn how to manage money and prioritize their interests.

“My hobbies are not incredibly costly, but once every so often I’ll spend no more than $50 on supplies, and that usually keeps me occupied for a stretch of time. It’s not a recurring cost. For example—for macrame—I bought macrame cord in September 2023 and January 2025. It’s not too often that I have to buy supplies,” a WEGO student said.

Still, having multiple hobbies means more space is needed, and it can be difficult to stay organized.

“If you try too many things at once, it’s just kind of spinning your wheels, so it has to be a balance—try some things,” psychologist Karen Szot said.

Organization impacts mental health, physical well-being, and how someone presents themselves daily. A cluttered space often leads to a cluttered mind.

Taking up new interests is natural and often beneficial—but balance is key. Rather than abandoning hobbies at the first sign of boredom, individuals should consider sticking with one long enough to see real progress.

Hobbies such as cross country require long-term commitment and consistency. The sport brings drive and inspiration to those who pursue it. (Photo by Gabriella Castro)

Many people successfully manage multiple hobbies by combining them into something new. “You can refine what you really like and make a decision [because] you’ve got all those background experiences,” Szot said.

Hobby-hopping isn’t inherently bad—but sustaining long-term interests helps build confidence and identity.

“Everyone should become an expert in at least one thing,” Anderson said. “It’s important to learn broadly, but developing deep knowledge in one area builds confidence and gives you something valuable to offer others.”

Hobbies shape identity, provide a creative outlet, and support mental health – but only when approached with intention. Rather than hopping from one trend to another, people should take time to assess whether their current interests are truly enriching their lives.

As Anderson put it, “Invest in something worthwhile, and let it be something that lasts.”