Recently, I’ve noticed a lot of discussion about why things don’t feel the same anymore—whether it’s media like video games and movies, or technology like game consoles, computers, and mobile phones. Nothing feels the same anymore, but why?
You could easily say, “Well… you’re not a kid anymore. These things aren’t that special now.” Which is true to an extent. Being an adult with adult problems doesn’t magically make your hobbies less interesting—it just changes the time you have to devote to them.
The reason things don’t feel the same isn’t just about adult responsibilities or having less free time. It’s overconsumption. At any moment, you have access to thousands of different forms of media. Want to watch a movie or show? Browse the endless streaming platforms, each with thousands of options. Want to play a video game? Between PS Plus, Game Pass, Steam, GOG, Epic, EA, and Battle.net, there are thousands more waiting for you.
It doesn’t stop there. Collecting has become more of a chore than a hobby. I used to enjoy collecting video games and comics, buying as much as I could with the intention of playing or reading everything. Now, my collection has grown so large that I’d have to read 27 comics a day for a year just to finish what I started.
Between my video game, comic, and online Steam collections, I still find myself with “nothing to play” or not wanting to watch or read anything. But why? That overwhelming feeling of having too many options causes me to disengage. The sheer size of my collections feels so daunting that I can’t reasonably enjoy them.
You don’t need 10,000 comics or hundreds of games, books, or movies to feel overwhelmed. Everyone has their own threshold, and the pressures of life only add to it.
So, how do you fix this? How do you find enjoyment in hobbies again? How do you make time? I’ll share what’s been working for me in the hope that it inspires you to find your own way.
Step one: Plan how often you do your hobbies, rather than focusing on strict time constraints. I read at least one comic each day. I write one or two articles each week. I work out four times a week. I play multiplayer games with friends in the evenings and save single-player games for console. Aside from my workout schedule, I don’t plan the exact time—I just commit to the day and do the minimum, adding more only if I feel like it.
Step two: Embrace “less is more.” With comics, I’m only keeping books that truly matter to me. If I don’t see myself rereading it in the next few years, it’s not staying. For video games, I’m curating my collection down to the ones I enjoy most, rather than buying just to collect. Keeping single-player games on console instead of PC also helps separate my leisure time from work and lets me focus on one thing at a time.
I encourage you to try these two simple steps. Focus on what really matters, and you’ll find more time, less stress, and more joy in your hobbies.
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