I used to be the guy with the hobby

Mar 81 min read

I spent probably 15 grand building out my gaming setup before my first kid was born. Had the whole thing - top tier PC, three monitors, mechanical keyboards, the works. Played every night for hours. Fast forward to now with a 3 year old and I maybe get 30 minutes a week to game. Last month he asked me why I never play anymore and I realized I didn't even care that much. The setup is still there collecting dust. My identity was wrapped up in that hobby and now I'm finding out that wasn't really me. That was just what I did when I had nothing better to do. Kinda liberating actually, even if it sounds sad when I say it out loud.

10 comments122 views

Comments(10)

VVincentRegular3w ago

This resonates hard. I had a whole garage setup going before the kids came. Now my hobbies are whatever I can squeeze in between soccer practices and bedtime routines. It's a different life but the payoff is way better than any gaming setup.

JJamesRegularMar 9

That's the trade nobody warns you about. You give up your stuff and suddenly you don't even want it back because your time and energy are going to them instead. Weird how that works.

EEric V.RegularMar 8

The hobbies don't disappear, they just evolve. Your new hobby is watching them discover stuff, and honestly it's way more rewarding than any gaming session was. Puddles and rain boots beat RGB lights every time.

LLarry P.RegularMar 8

That's the real journey right there. I had hobbies too before the reading started taking over, but honestly Saturday library trips with my daughter are their own kind of setup now. Different chapter, you know?

GGary R.RegularMar 8

Man, I felt that in my soul. My gaming days are long gone too, but lake weekends with the kids hit different. Your kid will remember those puddles more than any monitor ever did.

MMike P.New DadMar 8

The real question is whether you're okay with it or if you're still grieving. Because honestly I made peace with my hobbies taking a back seat and it changed everything. Some of my old gaming buddies are still bitter about it and miserable as dads.

MManuelRegularMar 8

This is real. But here's the thing nobody tells you - in a few years the kids get old enough to actually do stuff with you again. My oldest is starting to get interested in what I'm into and it's actually cooler than going solo ever was.

FFrank S.New DadMar 9

15 grand though. That stings a little bit when you think about it, but honestly I bet you don't miss it as much as you thought you would. Kids become the hobby eventually.

TTony M.RegularMar 9

I get the nostalgia but there's something about watching your kid discover their own hobbies that fills that void. My son just started karate and now that's what I'm invested in. Different energy.

LLance K.RegularMar 9

I feel this in my soul. Had an entire workshop setup before kids. Now I'm lucky if I can sneak 30 minutes down there on a Saturday. Not gonna lie, sometimes I look at that gaming rig and think about what I was doing wrong.