15+ People with Hobbies So Impressive They Deserve a Round of Applause

We all have little hobbies that bring us joy and provide a break from our daily routines. Some people love cooking, creating culinary masterpieces, while others find comfort in knitting snug sweaters or even making handmade sausages. Sometimes, what starts as a simple pastime evolves into a profitable venture.

Story 1: I met a man, and our connection quickly deepened. One day, he invited me to his home. When I went to wash my hands, I couldn’t find a towel, so I opened a cabinet—and there it was: a bra.

I marched over to him, demanding, “What’s this supposed to mean?”

He calmly replied, “Just don’t get it dirty; I have to send it to a customer.”

It turned out he was a custom bra designer. At first, I was skeptical, but when he showed me his workspace and mannequins, I felt embarrassed. In the end, we parted ways—not because of his job, but simply because we weren’t compatible.

Story 2: My 78-year-old neighbor, a sweet and quiet woman, suddenly had a young man visiting her regularly. Every time he arrived, I heard loud noises and, honestly, started to worry.

One day, I knocked on her door to check in. To my shock, she opened it wearing a karate kimono! Turns out, she had taken up martial arts and was learning various stances and moves from her personal trainer. I was amazed by her spirit!

Story 3: While riding the train home from work, I was crocheting a pullover—my way to relax. I noticed the man sitting next to me staring and inching closer. My first thought? Great, here we go…

Then I looked down. He was clutching a knitting book.

Turns out, he was simply fascinated by my technique. We struck up a conversation and are still in touch to this day.

Story 4: Before my granddaughter’s fifth birthday, my daughter-in-law called me in a panic. “She wants a bat as a gift—scary but cute! I can’t find anything like that in stores. Maybe you can figure something out?”

Challenge accepted. And here’s what I created!

Story 5: Camping is a family tradition. Grandma, grandpa, my parents, uncles, aunts, cousins—we all go. One full month in the mountains. No exceptions.

Don’t get me wrong, I love nature. But every year, something crazy happens. Bears? Been there. Our catamaran capsizing? Check. Losing all our food in the river? Yep. Flooded tents? Absolutely. Tick bites? Of course.

Every time I come back, I swear Never again! But as summer rolls around, I convince myself, Eh, it wasn’t that bad… And then, of course, I go again.

Story 6: I knit and read! Lately, I’ve been revisiting the young adult books of my childhood. Also, I bought $50 worth of yarn in October and still have 80% left. Looks like I’ll be set for a while!

Story 7: A decade ago, a friend asked me to write a play. She didn’t end up using it, so I entered it into a contest. Surprise—I won!

Now, my plays are performed in theaters. I have another premiere coming up soon. It’s not super lucrative, though—I make more money at my office job.

Story 8: I love combining productivity with pleasure. Organizing, cooking nutritious meals, engaging in wellness activities—it all keeps me happy, healthy, and grounded.

Story 9: As a kid, I was a master at those claw machine games. The other day, I saw one in a local store and decided to test my skills.

Two hours later, I—a 25-year-old woman in a suit and heels—was surrounded by cheering kids. I emptied the machine of all 30 toys and gave them away. It was the best feeling ever.

Story 10: I enjoy working out, disc golf, bowling, video games, landscaping, and financial planning. I used to play soccer multiple times a week, but my knees eventually forced me to stop.

Story 11: My dad has fished his whole life. I remember our bathtub full of pike, the smell of fish lingering around the house, and the kitchen always covered in scales.

Eventually, my mom banned him from bringing fish home. So now he just fishes for fun. But when we went to a restaurant and saw pikeperch on the menu, Mom refused to order it. “No way I’m paying for fish!” she said.

Story 12: My mom, a village librarian, finally has time to indulge in her passion—painting. Her work may not be museum-worthy, but we love it. To her, a simple farm road is just scenery. But to me, it’s a childhood memory of walking to the lake with friends.

Story 13: In 2020, I started growing strawberries as a fun experiment. At the time, I never imagined it would turn into something big.

Now, I supply fresh, high-quality strawberries to restaurants and pastry shops. It’s not easy, but seeing my produce appreciated is incredibly rewarding.

Story 14: I rescued a small, neglected cereus plant from an office windowsill. Took it home, and within a year, it doubled in size.

Then came a weeping fig. Soon, I had an entire collection of thriving plants. My secret? I do almost nothing—except for some occasional ceremonial dances around my lemon tree.

Story 15: About six years ago, I found homemade sausage recipes online. Despite not having a smokehouse or thermal chamber, I gave it a shot with just an oven.

Now, my kitchen regularly fills with the aroma of my latest sausage creations.

Story 16: My 84-year-old grandmother is obsessed with nail art. Every day, she paints and decorates her nails with intricate designs. Whenever I ask if she needs anything from the store, her answer is always the same: “Three bottles of nail polish in different colors, cotton pads, and nail polish remover!”

Some hobbies may be simple, some unusual, and some downright unexpected—but they all bring joy, and that’s what matters most!