“What are your hobbies?” — that’s what it says on the slide in front of me on the screen. The question is surrounded by many others — but within the next few minutes, it becomes clear to me that this one, together with another, is the most important of all.
The other one is: “What do you wish for?”
So here I am — sitting in Philip’s first confirmation class. Fourteen kids will be confirmed in our district next year. Today is the first meeting with parents and children.
“And there it is — the slide of doom for the kids,” I think to myself.
It’s the classic round of introductions: What’s your name? Where are you from? Your hobbies… You can guess the rest. Quiet voices, barely audible kids, eyes to the floor.
When it comes to hobbies, football is the most frequent answer.
And the wishes? Very few have anything to say.
Once everyone has introduced themselves, the kids head downstairs for their session. The parents stay seated. Waiting? Not quite. The slide changes — and surprise! The same questions, only this time for the grown-ups. Some squirm a little in their seats.
And what comes next really surprises me. To the question, “What are your hobbies?” the answers range from: “Well, with four kids, my only hobby is sleep,” to: “No idea. I don’t really have hobbies.”
Reading and gardening are mentioned a few times too — but they often sound like “default answers” rather than anything joyful or exciting. It feels like many people don’t really have hobbies anymore — or haven’t consciously thought about them in a long time, let alone actively engaged with them.
Between work and family, there’s just not much time left. But here’s the real question:
What would fascinate you — if you did have the time? Because my belief is this: If something truly excites you, you’ll make time for it — even if it seems impossible at first.
I often hear: “Well, at our age…” — as if that explains why hobbies just aren’t a thing anymore. Back then it was this or that, but now? Somehow it feels “too late.”
But… why, really?
I believe many people never truly ask themselves what makes them happy. Instead, they live for the image others are supposed to have of them. Don’t stand out. Don’t rock the boat.
And in doing so, they lose themselves — and one day it just feels like the chance has passed.
(I’ll write more about that next week.)
But today I want to ask you:
- What if you started reflecting again on what your thing is?
- What your values are? What you wish for your future?
- What lights you up?
Because wouldn’t it be amazing if, someday — or better, soon — when someone asks you about your hobby, you could say:
“My life is my hobby. Every second is so freaking good, I could laugh or scream with joy!”
Design your life. All the trips Anke and I take — they didn’t just “happen.” They came from a vision, a wish, an idea. Then came the first step. Then the next.
What’s your wish?
If you want, I’ll walk alongside you on your path — with clarity, joy, and support in finding what’s truly yours. Make your life your hobby. Work toward that wish a little bit every day.
But as long as you keep asking the same questions and doing the same things, nothing will change.
Maybe you don’t need help right now. Maybe you’d rather stay stuck and tell others about how tough it is. That’s okay too — it’s also a known (and effective) way to be seen or heard.
But you know this: If you want change at the end, you have to put something different in at the beginning. Better questions = better answers = better actions = better results.
I truly wish your life becomes your greatest hobby. Your masterpiece. (And maybe it already is — because, hey, we’ve known each other for a while now.)
