Key Difference – Hobby vs Habit
Although there is a clear difference between hobby and habit, it is easy to confuse these two terms since both refer to something that is done regularly. A hobby is a regular activity that is done for enjoyment. A habit is a regular action or behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition. The key difference between hobby and habit is that a hobby is pursued consciously whereas a habit is often a subconscious act.
What is a Hobby?
A hobby can be described as a regular activity that is done for pleasure and enjoyment. It is usually pursued during one’s leisure time. A hobby always involves an action. It can involve different types of activities; playing sports, collecting items and objects, engaging in artistic and creative pursuits, etc. are some these activities. Some examples of popular hobbies include fishing, gardening, playing video games, collecting stamps, collecting sea-shells, collecting old coins, embroidery, dancing, singing, bird watching, hiking, water sports, reading, writing poems and cooking.
By continuing a particular hobby for a long period of time, a person can gain considerable knowledge and skills in that area of interest. With the advent of technology, some hobbies like collecting sea-shells have grown less popular, and some new hobbies such as video gaming, surfing the internet have been created.
What is a Habit?
Habit can be defined as a recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behaviour that is acquired through frequent repetition. Habits are usually performed unconsciously, and every individual has his or her own set of habits. For example, you might have noticed some people start biting their nails when they get nervous, but they might be completely unaware of their own action at that time.
Habits can be either bad or good. Smoking, eating junk food, nail biting, overspending, excessive alcohol consumption, etc. are some common bad habits. Some good habits include getting up early in the morning, regular exercise, etc. Once you get used to a habit, it becomes very difficult to break away from that habit. This is why many people have trouble quitting smoking or giving up eating junk food. Formation of new habits may sometimes be as difficult as breaking away from the old habits. However, giving up your bad habits and forming new good habits can help you to lead a healthy and happy life.
Smoking is a bad habit
What is the difference between Hobby and Habit?
Definition:
Hobby is an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure.
Habit is something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way.
Consciousness:
Hobby is pursued consciously.
Habit is often performed unconsciously.
Time:
Hobbies are pursued during leisure time.
Habits may be displayed at any moment.
Cause:
Hobbies are pursued due to an interest in a particular area.
Habits are caused by frequent repetition.
Image Courtesy:
“Selection of seashells” – The original uploader was Sannse at English Wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
“Smoking in black and white” By Sophie Riches – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia