Hobbies and Human Connection: How Shared Interests Build Stronger Relationships

giuliapedrinivisio
Jun 17
3 min read

Updated: Jun 24

Author: Nafay Maoulida

Let’s be real for a second: making friends as an adult is weird. When we were kids, it was easy. You’d go up to someone on the playground, ask if they liked dinosaurs, and boom—you were best friends. But now? You can’t just walk up to someone at a coffee shop and say, “Hey, wanna hang out?” You’ll get side-eyed or pepper-sprayed.

This is where hobbies come in and save the day.

Person working at a desk with a laptop displaying black-and-white sketches, writing "Creative" on a tablet. A vase of purple flowers and coffee nearby.

The Secret Sauce: Doing Stuff You Like (With Other People)

Here’s the thing: when you’re doing something you genuinely enjoy, you’re relaxed. You're being yourself. Whether it’s learning salsa, joining a soccer league, or painting landscapes that accidentally look like potatoes—there’s zero pressure to be anyone but you. And guess what? Everyone else there is just as into the hobby as you are.

Boom. Connection.

No fake small talk. No awkward silences. Just “Oh hey, you’re into this weird thing too? Cool!”

Why Hobbies Work Better Than Dating Apps

Hobbies are sneaky geniuses. They trick you into spending time with people over and over again. You meet once a week, maybe twice. You laugh, you struggle with the same clay in pottery class, and at some point, you're swapping memes and birthday invites.

Science even backs this up. A psychologist named Robin Dunbar

—you know, the guy who studies human connection—says shared experiences and laughing together build real friendships. And hobbies give you exactly that: shared stories. Like the time your hiking group got lost and accidentally found a goat farm. That was a weird but great day.

Man playing guitar while woman pets a dog in a cozy room. Bright window, plants, and patterned decor create a relaxed, warm atmosphere.

“But I’m Shy and Weird.” Good News: Everyone Else Is Too

Here’s a secret: everyone thinks they’re the awkward one. Everyone’s a little weird. And that’s fine! Hobbies make space for that. You don’t need to impress anyone. You just need to show up.

Even if your cake collapses in baking class, someone’s gonna laugh and help you fix it. You’ll bond over bad icing and worse ovens. That’s real friendship magic.

Woman in an orange shirt paints at a cluttered table in a cozy room with soft lighting, expressing creativity and focus.

And if you’re into solo hobbies, like writing or gaming, there’s still a whole universe out there. Online communities are full of kind, nerdy, hilarious people who are just like you. Some of the closest friendships I’ve seen were born in Discord chats, Reddit threads, or Minecraft servers.

It’s Not Just for Teens and Hipsters

Let’s kill a myth real quick. Hobbies are not just for college students or Instagram influencers who paint watercolors while sipping oat milk lattes. They’re for everyone. Your grandpa can take a wood carving class. Your aunt can learn ukulele. You can join a random pub quiz team and become trivia royalty. Age? Doesn’t matter. Energy? Optional.

Family playing chess at home. A boy and girl watch attentively as an older man explains the moves. Cozy decor in the background.

Hobbies don’t care who you are. They care about what you love.

Mental Health Bonus: Your Brain Will Thank You

Loneliness sucks. It’s heavy, and unfortunately, pretty common. But hobbies give you a way out of that feeling without forcing fake connections.

You meet people naturally. You’re focused on the activity, not on “being social.” That’s the beauty of it—you bond without even trying. And with regular meetups, your brain gets happy. You feel part of something. You belong.

It’s kind of like therapy, but cheaper. (Unless your hobby is collecting rare plants. That can get expensive fast.)

Still Unsure? Here’s a Pep Talk

I get it. Joining something new feels scary. Will people be nice? Will I suck at it? What if I trip in the middle of salsa class?

Answer: maybe. But it won’t matter.

No one joins a knitting club to judge your scarf. No one goes to improve to watch someone be perfect. People go to enjoy the thing, mess up together, and have fun. That’s the whole point. And they’ll welcome you way more than you expect.

A diverse group of people in casual attire raise their hands for a team cheer in an office space with wooden tables and chairs. Energetic mood.

Also, every close friend you’ve ever had? They were once a stranger too. Just like the people in that photography club you’ve been stalking online for three weeks. Join already.

Too Long; Didn’t Read (But Like, Emotionally)

Hobbies are the low-key superheroes of human connection. They sneak into your life, quietly introduce you to cool people, and suddenly you’ve got a group chat called “Clay Cat Club” or “Board Game Gremlins.”

Whether online or in person, loud or quiet, fast-paced or cozy—your hobby can lead you straight to the kind of friendships that don’t feel forced. The kind that just… click.

So go. Take the painting class. Join the cooking group. Build a robot. Knit a sweater. Dance badly in Zumba.

Do the thing. Meet the people. Make the memories. Laugh so hard your ribs hurt. And one day, you’ll look around and think, “Wow. This weird little hobby? It brought me my people.”