The Joy of a ‘Nothing’ Hobby
Q Radio presenter Jordan Arnold reflects on how one nervous step into a Pilates class became an unexpected reminder that not every hobby needs to become a side hustle.
Around this time last year, I sat in my car for a good 20 minutes, full of anxiety and trying to invent a believable medical emergency to skip an exercise class I’d already paid for.
I was on the cusp of turning 34 and had decided, on a sudden whim, to finally scratch the itch of curiosity for reformer Pilates, having seen it all over my FYP. I had no matching workout sets, no trendy water bottle, and I had to frantically buy grippy socks from the front desk right before the class started while trying not to audibly whimper.
My message in last June’s column was basically a pep talk to myself and anyone else stuck in a rut: just try it once. You don’t have to commit your entire life to something just because you dipped a toe in. Show up nervous, fumble your way through, and at least you can say you gave it a go.
Well, a year has passed, and I have a bit of a confession to make. I didn’t just dip a toe in; I now find myself fully immersed in the deep end.
Twelve months on from that evening of sheer panic, I now find myself booked into up to five classes a week and I am completely hooked. Physically, I feel stronger and fitter than ever, which is brilliant. But if I am being totally honest, the physical perks aren’t even the best part. The real victory of my one-year anniversary is that I have accidentally discovered the absolute joy of a ‘nothing’ hobby.
We live in a world that is obsessed with optimisation. We don’t just bake bread anymore; we set up an Instagram account for the sourdough. We don’t just go for a casual walk; we track our mileage, count our steps, and monitor our heart rate data.
Somewhere along the line, we were sold the lie that if a pastime isn’t a potential side hustle, a productivity hack, or highly aesthetic content to be filmed and shared, it isn’t worth our time. But honestly, trying to constantly curate your life is exhausting.
I used to treat fitness like a second job back when I was a dedicated gym bunny and bikini competitor, tracking every gram of protein and lifting weights on a strict schedule. Eventually, it felt like an obligation, and I lost all my enthusiasm for it.
What makes Pilates different for me is that it serves as a pure, unadulterated mental escape. For five hours a week, no one can reach me, I’m not answering emails, and I am definitely not thinking about how I can monetise my workout.
I am just a person on a moving platform, focusing entirely on getting stronger and not falling over.
Balancing on one leg whilst pulsing on a sliding bed really forces your mind to completely focus on the wobbly task at hand. It is a genuine slice of solo time where I am showing up strictly for myself, entirely detached from work and expectations.
Looking back, I can’t believe how close I came to putting the car in reverse and driving home that day. If I had let the intimidation win, I’d still be stuck in the exact same routine. It is proof that one random, uncomfortable choice can completely reshape your life.
So, consider this your annual nudge from a friend who is now slightly older and significantly more flexible: you are allowed to do things just for the sake of doing them. You are allowed a hobby that is purely for your own enjoyment, your own strength, or just to give yourself a wee bit of smugness, without needing an audience.
What is the one thing you’ve been putting off because you’re worried you won’t be any good at it? Whether it’s a running club, pottery, or learning a language, you don’t need the perfect outfit or a plus-one to get started. You just have to step through the door.
Give yourself permission to test the waters as a total one-off. Who knows where it might lead by next June?
And let’s re-normalise hobbies that are hobbies just for the sake of being hobbies. My head hurts juggling side hustles, various gigs, business ideas and perfectly curated content. It bears remembering that life is, y’know, sometimes just for living.
