For some, cooking, reading, and baking can be considered hobbies, but for Black women – to consider these activities beyond our daily routines can be challenging. We often burden ourselves with believing we can’t justify developing or transforming gratifying activities into something solely for leisure.
Consequently, as we’ve witnessed during and post-pandemic, Black women may be the highest demographic investing in their hobbies, though in many cases, the ultimate goal is to start profiting from them, and transform them into a side hustle. So, where is the time to enjoy ourselves and genuinely love something that sparked our interests without attaching a price tag to it?
Despite the labels of hustlers and ‘go-getters’ within our communities, and the economic pressures that arise alongside our lives, hobbies should be seen just as that, because we deserve rest, too. To dismantle this narrative that our hobbies should be perceived as entrepreneurial opportunities, we should recognise that this mindset is injected into us early on. From being pushed into studying instead of engaging with artistic clubs and sports, to being denied the opportunity to explore creative ventures, families and educators often persuade Black children to stick to the basics, and focus on our academics. Additionally, due to the continuous sense of scarcity, alongside the denial to explore a world outside of laboral exhaustion that emerged as early as slavery, the need to dive right into what’s expected from us isn’t anything new.
Inevitably, the result is an increasing pressure to attain highly productive hobbies that look good on paper, rather than pleasing and memorable ones we enjoy. And eventually, the thought of being around like-minded creative souls dissipates. In the current education system, the priorities have shifted so that our children are expected to work extremely hard to be successful in an institutionally racist system. Although it is 100% true that black people have to work twice as hard for our success, we should seek a healthy balance in what success looks like in our careers versus what it looks like in personal enjoyment.
We must consider the fact that many Black women grew up under eldest-daughter family systems, systems resulting from parentification where Black girls are prematurely and strictly pushed into adulthood by taking over domestic chores and parenting. It creates a pipeline in which Black girls become Black women who are are subject to relationships where they deal with unpaid labour through household chores, on top of their employment and/or motherhood. It isn’t surprising that hobbies or leisure activities could be easily seen as a luxury or a privilege that working-class resents or can’t afford to have.
I’ve personally been a freelance writer for the past two years, and somehow, I’ve released enough content to write four different theses on post-colonial hood feminism and politics of identity. Still, as vividly as I remember, I wasn’t encouraged to write or document anything unless I could ensure I could monetise. So, unconsciously, although it all started with a journal or diary I kept, I was again persuaded to write for myself and others, attaching productivity labels and increasing the price tags, too. As if writing as a hobby wasn’t worthwhile behind closed doors anymore.
Unfortunately, along the way, I’ve also realised that the passion, energy and time I invested in my craft, now a ‘niche content’, was severely driven by external approval, whether from social media or those who might come across my CV and as a tremendous ego-booster. The long-standing love that I first had for my hobby slowly disappeared, and inevitably, a bubble of anxiety was built between us. Despite the bitterness that slowly emerged over the last two years, I’ve finally created boundaries and fine lines between writing for myself and others. From poetry and fiction to journaling, I’ve taken it upon myself to keep those pieces of my mind within, so that I’m not tempted or pushed to marketise my gift again. I had enough chores, and my love for writing could no longer be served as a side.
As I navigate different waters and pursue new hobbies, I ensure they’re as varied as possible, pulling me instantly out of my comfort zone. From hiking, gardening, baking, and reading, joy has secured a safe space beside all my smiles. Nevertheless, I can’t stress enough how hard it is to engage in new hobbies, especially if you tend to overthink your actions, lack the confidence to dive right in or simply don’t have the time. On the other hand, we can acknowledge that many hobbies, like surfing or spending time in nature, are often gatekept within non-Black communities. 
And even though they’re often perceived as non-traditional amongst Black communities, the fact is that if we’ve always known parks, swimming pools and the countryside as “white spaces only” or spaces that we’ve been financially unable to reach. How would it be possible to explore our horizons or assert ourselves comfortably in the first place? By creating a restrictive concept of “environment,” like any other racial stereotype or social construction, nature becomes intrinsically exclusionary. Thus, we must take up space and hold onto it to build inclusive and safe spaces.
Moreover, despite the fact that ambition has lingered throughout generations within our communities and households, the pressure to fail is real. And so are the high expectations that every hobby, is an excellent opportunity to spotlight a hidden business success. But in this scenario, can you ask yourself the last time you actually did something for fun?
So, please retrace your steps along the way and dive into what once brought immense joy. It should take you a while to rekindle that flame but hopefully, your body will guide you and direct you to exactly where you left off. However, if it’s the first time you’re considering this journey, take a seat and think about something that always magnetically pulled you or something that’s been dormant in the back of your head. Whether it’s sowing, baking, trekking, cold swimming or simply being, you must take up space and remind yourself that there’s no right way to explore hobbies, life or nature because nothing is set linearly.
Optimistically, our attention can go beyond profit margins and simply be engulfed in pleasurable moments. To partake in a hobby is a privilege many of our parents and their parents didn’t experience, so you’ve got the time to explore new hobbies for the sole purpose of enjoyment, don’t be afraid to live in that. They’re a refuge from all the chaos and madness we witness and endure every day. They’re the space you need to recharge fully, too. So, put yourself first, own it, love it and master it as best as possible, while you step away from external approval and chasing the bag.
