Hobby vs. Obsession — What's the Difference?

A hobby is considered to be a regular activity that is done for enjoyment, typically during one's leisure time. Hobbies include collecting themed items and objects, engaging in creative and artistic pursuits, playing sports, or pursuing other amusements.

A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.

An activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure

(Psychiatry) A pattern of unwanted or intrusive thoughts or urges that recur persistently, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.

A small horse or pony.

The quality of being obsessed.

A migratory Old World falcon with long, narrow wings, catching dragonflies and birds on the wing.

An idea that engenders a compulsive or irrational preoccupation, or the preoccupation thereby engendered.

An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.

An activity or entity that inspires a compulsive and potentially unhealthy fixation, or the fixation thereby inspired.

Any of several small falcons of the genus Falco, formerly used for catching small birds or game.

Influence or control by evil spirits without possession.

An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time.

The act of besieging.

(horses) An extinct breed of horse native to the British Isles, also known as the Irish Hobby

The state of being besieged; - used specifically of a person beset by a spirit from without.

Any of four species of small falcons in the genus Falco, especially Falco subbuteo.

An excessive preoccupation of the thoughts or feelings; the persistent haunting or domination of the mind by a particular desire, idea, or image.

A small, strong-winged European falcon (Falco subbuteo), formerly trained for hawking.

Any driving motive; a compelling goal; - not necessarily implying a negative judgment, as does sense 3; as, the coach was obsessed with winning the state championship

A strong, active horse, of a middle size, said to have been originally from Ireland; an ambling nag.

Something that causes an obsession{3}.

A stick, often with the head or figure of a horse, on which boys make believe to ride.

The state of being obsessed.

A subject or plan upon which one is constantly setting off; a favorite and ever-recurring theme of discourse, thought, or effort; that which occupies one's attention unduly, or to the weariness of others; a ruling passion.

An irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions against your will

An auxiliary activity

An unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone

A child's plaything consisting of an imitation horse mounted on rockers; the child straddles it and pretends to ride

Small Old World falcon formerly trained and flown at small birds