I used to be someone whose only hobby was reading books. But now, I have four. And after juggling them, I’ve experienced firsthand just how life-enhancing hobbies can be. They offer a mental reset, give the brain space to breathe, and act as a gentle resistance against the pressure to always be productive. More than that, they’ve helped me reclaim a sense of joy that’s just for me.

But there’s another, less talked-about perk I’ve discovered: having hobbies has completely changed how I feel about going on holiday. Specifically, how I plan for one.

Before having some hobbies, the idea of going on vacation felt like a headache. The logistics, such as finding transportation, booking accommodation, figuring out how to get around once I arrived, were enough to make me want to stay home. The most stressful part is creating an itinerary. I used to rely heavily on Google searches and travel bloggers. I’d choose destinations randomly, usually based on pretty photos I saw on social media.

Now, after having multiple hobbies, everything feels more personal. I choose my destination based on which city or country connects with one of my hobbies whether through history, community, or experience. Each trip becomes an extension of the things I love.

In Search of Shelves and Stories

Reading is my main form of leisure, which means I’m always on the lookout for bookish experiences. Wherever I travel, I make it a mission to visit local libraries and independent bookstores. I especially love secondhand shops tucked away in quiet corners of the city. I don’t just explore the book collections, but also take in the architecture, the atmosphere, and the stories that seem to live within the walls of those buildings.

Leaving Footprints on Foreign Streets

Any holiday that includes at least one overnight stay means there’s a good chance I’m packing my running outfit. There’s something relaxing about running through (safe!) unfamiliar streets or trails. It’s like leaving a trace of myself, especially when I log it on Strava.

Tasting a City Through Its Coffee

One of my latest obsessions is coffee. Exploring local cafés and coffee roasteries has become a key part of my travels. Every country has its own way of roasting, brewing, and serving coffee. I love learning about these regional preferences because it deepens my appreciation for the drink and the people behind it. Nordic countries, for example, even have yearly rankings for cafés and roasteries, which I sometimes use as a starting point to start exploring.

Capturing Life One Page at a Time

Journaling pulls me into another kind of adventure: finding beautiful, quirky, or highly functional notebooks and stationery. I can spend hours browsing a well-stocked paper store. Whether it’s an adorable little notebook or a perfectly crafted pen, I’m always looking for shops that cater to this side of me.

If I could turn back time, I’d revisit some of the places I saw before journaling became part of my life. I’ve been to Florence without realizing its deep history with notebooks, as described in The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper. And I’ve visited Japan but missed out on places like Hobonichi or Traveler’s Company stores. I wish I’d had this passion back then. I’d love to go back now, eyes wide open with curiosity.

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Looking back, I used to dread making itinerary plans. Now, t’s different. Hobbies give me direction and excitement. Planning no longer feels like a chore. It feels like an extension of what I love. I look forward to each step: researching spots, mapping them out, curating a little personalized adventure.

Turns out, having hobbies has made my free time more meaningfu and helped me become someone who actually looks forward to going on vacation.