At what point does your hobby become an obsession?

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Nov 26, 2012
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#1
I’ve been into fitness for years and have notable success with it. Sometimes it has occurred to me that the level I achieve is somewhat pointless. How should a Christian determine whether their dedication to the superficial is for health and hygiene or just plain vanity?
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
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#2
I suspect when you stop enjoying your hobby and it starts becoming a requirement or work it's no longer a hobby.
As far as your physical aspect goes if you're enjoying what you do and it's not interfering with the most important parts of your life then it's not pointless. If you've lost your passion for it and it's now just habit or vanity then perhaps cut back and start learning to enjoy it again.
 
Aug 2, 2009
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#3
I’ve been into fitness for years and have notable success with it. Sometimes it has occurred to me that the level I achieve is somewhat pointless. How should a Christian determine whether their dedication to the superficial is for health and hygiene or just plain vanity?
I wish fitness was my hobby as well. I'm trying to make it that.

A hobby becomes an obsession when you start neglecting important things so that you can engage in it.
 
Aug 2, 2009
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#4
As far as fitness becoming a pointless obsession, it can never be pointless. Our bodies are a gift from God with amazing capabilities. Exploring the limits of those capabilities should always be fun and challenging. If it's not fun and challenging, then you aren't pushing yourself hard enough. But there is also burnout which occurs when one pushes too hard for too long. If that's the case, you just need to take a break.
 

jb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2010
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#5
At what point does your hobby become an obsession?
It becomes an obsession when it interferes with normal daily living.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
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#6
I’ve been into fitness for years and have notable success with it. Sometimes it has occurred to me that the level I achieve is somewhat pointless. How should a Christian determine whether their dedication to the superficial is for health and hygiene or just plain vanity?
I would say at the point when you will no longer drop it to go and do something good / loving for your fellow man..

When a hobby or pastime becomes more important then the people in your life you have definitely cross the line into obsession territory in my book..
 

88

Senior Member
Nov 14, 2016
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#7
When your obsession is your hobby...
 

JosephsDreams

Senior Member
Dec 31, 2015
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#9
I dont anymore. Haven't for a long, long time. But I did at one point.
 

TheLearner

Well-known member
Jan 14, 2019
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Brighton, MI
#10
I’ve been into fitness for years and have notable success with it. Sometimes it has occurred to me that the level I achieve is somewhat pointless. How should a Christian determine whether their dedication to the superficial is for health and hygiene or just plain vanity?

It is a wise thing to exercise to keep your healthy to serve the Lord longer.

It is really, just common sense.

Vanity will poor over into many areas, so look at all the areas as a whole.

Or as my Dad would say, God gave you a healthy body, keep it that way.
 
Nov 26, 2012
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#11
There is healthy, then there is top performance athletes. Sometimes I’m just curious where the line is for being responsible vand being vane.