Hobbies are a great way to unwind

Hobbyist medieval re-enactors in Eketahuna on Saturday included warriors,from left, Wade Cashmore, of Wellington, and Nick Matthews and William Gilbert, of Levin.

THERE'S a saying which goes that any person is capable of doing any amount of work, just as long as it isn't the work they're supposed to be doing.

I always feel envy for those who can literally lose themselves in the pleasure of a hobby. Sunday's medieval day at Eketahuna, which showcased in our Times-Age paper yesterday, is an excellent example.

These enthusiasts have experts on period costume, society and chivalry, and it takes some serious hours and money to get that good. The reward for this effort is a chance to completely lose yourself in another world, a world that you can control.

It's the same, I suspect, with those who build gigantic model railway features.

For some, it can seem ridiculous, the concept of play-acting and dress-up, yet the ability to escape into an entirely different and harmless persona is probably one of the healthiest things we can do. Some people don't switch off, or cease a constant narrative in their heads, until they fall asleep. So those who can enjoy a "switch-off" routine, while awake, are doing well.

There's a reason why job interviewers often ask: what do you do to relax? I suspect a lot of people try and come up with something grand and selfless, like studying Greek mythology or weaving macrame pot holders to sell at your local school gala. Yet there's nothing wrong with being able to say, "I strap on a sword and try and beat the crap out of a guy in chain mail".

Employers want hard workers, but the last thing they want is someone who can't turn off from work. It's a major red flag to any employer. That route can lead to a spectacular year of performance followed by an equally spectacular crisis, and a work crisis is extremely damaging to a person, because it throws into doubt your entire reason for functioning. A person who can lose themselves in sports, role-playing or any kind of hobby tells me this is a person who is constantly having their psyche refreshed.

We all have skills waiting to be used. There's probably a sword out there with your name on it. And if something looks like fun, say yes.