Hobbies and Passions: What I Love to Do

Why this story is important

Hobbies and passions often reflect your values, personality, curiosities, and what brings you joy. By telling those stories, you let readers (or your future self) see what “lights you up” — what you care about, how you rest, how you express creativity or challenge yourself.

Shared passions build connection. When someone else reads your story and recognizes a hobby you love (say, photography, cooking, knitting, woodworking), it becomes a bridge. Others may be encouraged or inspired to try, or recall their own similar stories. Especially for family, future generations, or close friends, knowing your hobbies gives insight into who you were beyond your roles (parent, spouse, worker). It helps them understand what made you, you. Your stories of passion can encourage someone else to persist, take up a craft, or see the value of play, curiosity, lifelong learning. They can serve as prompts or invitations for future readers to pursue their own passions.

Preparation checklist

• Gather your thoughts and materials. Review your journals and notes that might help you remember details.
• Browse your photo albums to stimulate memories and choose the photos you might want to use in the story.
• Decide who you’ll share the finished story with. Just yourself? Family? Friends? Public post? Thinking about your audience in advance will help guide what memories and details to include and which ones to leave out.

How to use the Times of My Life App to capture your story:

*The Virtual Biographer has instant access to similar stories written and shared by millions of other people. It knows what questions to ask and in what order. It can help you relive events, thoughts and feelings. It can help illuminate the essence of your experience and then craft a story that is uniquely yours. If a question doesn’t seem relevant to your experience, just skip it. Answer at least five questions. Tap “Next” and tap “Additional Details” to speak or type from memory.

Add media, save and publish as a printed piece, audiocast, and/or video

Insert photos and video clips wherever you want them to appear in the story narrative. Add voice narration and background music if you want to create an audiocast or video, in addition to a printed piece.

Share and revise as desired

After the story is written by you or your virtual biographer, you can “share” it through he app with friends and loved ones. Their feedback can provide valuable perspective and help you improve your story. After you get their feedback you can go back and edit the story as desired — or ask the Virtual Biographer to rewrite it with the feedback!

Related Stories

• Causes and Advocacy
• Travels and Adventures
• My Musical Instrument
• Natural Talent
• Playing a Sport

Write the Story Yourself: Suggested Outline

1. Title & Invitation

• Choose a title (or subtitle) to capture the essence — e.g. “In the Garden’s Quiet,” “Strings & Solace,” “The Joy of Flight.”
• Open with a short scene or sensory detail that draws the reader in — a smell, sound, sight, or emotion tied to your hobby.

2. Beginnings & Attraction

• When did you first become interested?
• What drew you to this hobby or passion (curiosity, inspiration, someone else modeling it)?
• Early memories of trying it (successes, failures, awkwardness).

3. Practice, Growth & Struggles

• How did you learn/improve (self-teaching, classes, mentors, trial & error)?
• Challenges or obstacles you faced (time, resources, setbacks, plateaus).
• Moments when you persisted or chose to give up and return.
• Key milestones (first success, breakthrough, recognition, personal best).

4. The Experience in the Moment

• Describe what it feels like while doing the activity — your senses, emotions, focus, flow state.
• Specific memorable moments — a performance, finished project, moment of awe or satisfaction.
• People, places, or environments that enhance or challenge your practice.

5. Significance & Meaning

• Why this hobby matters to you — what does it give (joy, peace, challenge, identity, community)?
• How it reflects who you are (values, temperament, creativity).
• How this passion has shaped other parts of your life (relationships, work, worldview, mental health).

6. Legacy & Sharing

• Have you passed this interest along (to children, friends, students)?
• How others respond when they see your hobby in action.
• A story of encouragement, connection, or transformation connected to it.
• If the hobby were a gift, what would you want someone else to receive from it?

7. Ongoing Journey & Future Aspirations

• Where are you now with this passion? How has your relationship with it changed?
• What do you hope to explore next — new techniques, new challenges, deeper mastery?
• Are there tensions or constraints (time, aging, changing energy) you manage?
• A final reflection: what your passion continues to teach you.

Optional Extras (if the app allows media)

• Photos of your projects, performances, studio, tools
• Videos or sound recordings
• Samples, sketches, drafts
• Journal snippets or notes you kept as you progressed

Tips as You Write

• Use sensory detail to let the reader feel your passion (the smell of paint, the sound of strings, the feel of soil).
• Don’t oversell — include struggles, dry spells, mistakes. These make the story realistic and inspiring.
• Tell a few key stories (rather than trying to list everything) that show turning points, breakthroughs, or tension.
• Connect your hobby back to larger life themes (growth, identity, joy, connection).
• Write as if to someone you care about — your younger self, a friend, a child — letting your voice be warm, honest, and personal.

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