Everyone needs a hobby. It’s a way of switching off from the stress and anxiety of daily life and finding some valuable time for yourself. But we spend so much time online these days, that we can’t find the time for a hobby. So what about using the Internet to help you with your hobby? Talk about hobbies and the first thing that comes to mind is often the stamp collector carefully sticking a stamp into an album. Collecting has always been a popular free-time activity. Almost anything can be collected from stamps and stickers to comic books and coins. It can take a lot of patience and determination, though, to track down that last sticker for your football album or a coin that hasn’t been seen in a hundred years. Go online, though, and you will find a community of collectors who can help each other. It’s never been easier to complete any collection.

Maybe you’re keen on creative hobbies. Making your own jewellery, painting or even making model cars can be very satisfying, and it’s even better if you can make money out of something you’ve created. There are thousands of hours of online tutorials with instructions and tips on how to improve your technique. And let us not forget that the Internet is a huge marketplace for whatever you make. Perhaps creating your own website to sell your creations could become your new hobby.

Online tutorials will also help you become a better sportsman. You can get advice on healthy eating, how to get over injuries and improve your strength. It’s not the same as having a personal coach, but it’s almost as good. 25% claim that watching TV is their favourite free-time activity, so it’s good to know that the Internet can get us out and about. GPS apps will make sure you never get lost again when you go hiking. Exercise apps will track your fitness, record your best time and, with practise, make sure you get to the finish line first. So, yes, the Internet is a great hobby, but it can also make our hobbies so much greater.

1 Having a hobby allows us to escape our worries. True / False

2 It is more difficult to complete a collection these days. True / False

3 It is hard to get mate, who likes collecting something. True / False

4 Your hobby can make you money on the Internet. True / False

5 Online tutorials can be better than personal trainers. True / False

6 Apps can help you improve your sports performance. True / False

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