Many adults find that picking up a hobby from their youth, such as ballet or pinball, serves as a powerful tool for self-discovery. Dan P. McAdams, a psychology professor at Northwestern University, notes that narrative identity involves reaching back into the past to bring meaningful elements forward. While he has not specifically studied childhood hobbies, he acknowledges that reintegrating a once-important activity can be a profoundly positive experience.
Kristen Martin, author of The Sun Won’t Come Out Tomorrow, reconnected with knitting and crochet after learning them from her grandmother in childhood. She observed that her adult habits mirrored her grandmother’s: using the craft as a relaxing nighttime routine while watching television. Martin continues to create items for others, maintaining the generous spirit she witnessed growing up.
Benjamin Vigeant, a social media manager from Chicago, returned to pinball in his late 20s after having a machine in his basement during childhood. His renewed interest evolved into competition with friends and eventually led him to establish a pinball league in Chicago, satisfying his desire for competitive engagement.
Hollen Reischer, a visiting assistant professor of psychology at the University at Buffalo, explains that these activities engage what she calls narrative identity—a story of the self that spans past memories, present actions, and future aspirations. Returning to an abandoned hobby allows individuals to connect all three temporal aspects of their lives simultaneously.
For some, this process offers healing. A 2023 Teen Vogue article highlighted Gen Z individuals revisiting past interests like swimming and fashion to connect with their inner child. Similarly, others have returned to piano lessons after retirement or resumed basketball to bond with children showing interest in the sport.
While discussions often focus on the community benefits or monetization potential of hobbies, revisiting those tied to childhood provides a unique lens. It allows adults to recognize how much they have changed while also identifying enduring traits and passions that have remained constant throughout their lives.
My grandmother taught me to bake bread. Returning to it was the healing I needed during tough times.
The pinball league story is amazing! Community building through shared childhood joy is so powerful.
Is it really self-discovery, or just nostalgia wearing a disguise? Sometimes a cigar is just a hobby.
I picked up watercolor painting again last year. It truly feels like reconnecting with a lost part of myself.