Wellness Hikes, Mindful Shopping, Endless Bollocks

This tweet came along at exactly the right time, because I was about to write a twee and heartfelt letter about my own hobbies, extolling the joy and satisfaction of finding something to fill the winding hours with. But like the very best Tweets out there, of which there are a dwindling few, this sharp observation-framed-as-question made me look inwards and take a well-needed breath. No, I thought. The world does not need to hear every vague wandering of my mind. So what if I’ve found something that makes me feel like life is worth living? It’s not relevant to everyone. It’s actually quite boring. And what’s more, everyone knows they’re supposed to have a hobby—you’re not saying anything new. For once, critical inner-voice, you’re right. I can do better than this.

The thing is, right, that I’ve never been great at hobbies. I’m a workaholic, and it's taken time and therapy to figure out how to not-work without feeling like I’m wasting my short time on earth. I actually wrote in a CV once that my hobbies and interests were working, because I couldn’t think of anything else to put. I did get the job, yes.

I find it hard not to monetise the things I enjoy, so it’s been pretty useful to rediscover a few of my passions that I couldn’t possibly make any money out of. In fact, they are expensive to enjoy. I can’t write a recipe book about motorcycle racing. I can’t produce a zine full of my diary entries—everyone would die. Instead I have to enjoy these activities, learn about them, spend my precious time doing them, in the full knowledge that I will never receive anything in return but my own enjoyment. What the fuck is that about?

*Katie’s cookbook “Butties To Take To Creg-ny-Baa” is out on May 32nd 2023*

Other Stuff

• Strangers In The Night: Drinking in Parliament by Jimmy McIntosh for The Fence. I like to read every The Fence piece as though it’s a short story. It doesn’t matter to me if they’re real—even though they mostly are.

• A note about subscribing to newspapers and national mags—my friend Ian informed me that by getting the PressReader app and putting in your library card number, you can subscribe to many publications for free, but they still receive a license fee and you are also helping your local library by using it.

• James Pinder took some emotional photos Cyclocross National Championships in Milnthorpe last weekend you should all see.

• Rachel Hendry on Champagne and its influence on brewing, beer visuals and our perception of what both of these drinks actually mean to us.

My Stuff

• I wrote about drinking lime and lemonade in some of my favourite Manchester pubs with my best friend for Pellicle. What a lovely way to start the year.

• I’ve got quite a few pieces in the works for Ferment and Glug, so keep your eyes open.

Free Trade Inn Night by Kevin Day