The hottest Leisure Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Travel Topics

Pourquoi l'art nul nous gêne ?

L'Atelier Galita • 99 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. People often feel uncomfortable about art that isn't amazing because they worry about what others might think. It's okay to enjoy art just for fun, just like playing sports.
  2. Not all artists want to become professionals. Many create art simply for their own enjoyment and happiness.
  3. The experience of making art, even if it's not technically good, can be one of the best parts of life. Finding something creative you love can really enrich your life.

Scrolling Alone

After Babel • 2979 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Over many decades, gains in comfort and convenience — like suburbs, cars, TVs, and household gadgets — made life easier but quietly eroded everyday, place-based social ties and trust.
  2. The internet, smartphones, and changing work patterns have sped up that trend by letting people shop, work, and socialize from home, increasing time alone and making face-to-face interaction more optional.
  3. Rebuilding community won’t happen automatically; it requires intentional cultural change and effort to create new rituals and institutions, unplug sometimes, and choose in-person connection over convenience.

No joy in life can survive reductionism

Passing Time • 468 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Reductionism strips rich human experiences down to dull components, making even great joys sound pointless. It's a lazy way to criticize and misses the meaning that emerges from the whole.
  2. Yes, activities like skiing can be expensive, risky, and geographically limited, but those isolated facts don't capture why people love them. The whole experience is greater than the sum of its parts.
  3. Teach kids real-world skills and give them adventurous experiences even if they seem niche or inconvenient. Those lived moments create value that reductive descriptions can't explain.

Tourism is good, actually

Slow Boring • 4127 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏝 Travel Leisure
  1. Despite being cringe and annoying, tourists play a role in bad policy commentary.
  2. There is a negative perception of tourism being harmful due to aesthetic considerations.
  3. Efforts to limit tourism, such as curbing AirBNB, often have underlying reasons beyond just tourism impact.

the marrow of days — on freedom & idleness in a post-singularity world

antoniomelonio • 142 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Automation and AI will make most jobs obsolete and give billions unprecedented free time, forcing society to answer a simple but huge question: what will people do with that freedom?
  2. Losing work risks a crisis of purpose because many people tie identity and social connection to their jobs, so leisure must be rethought as active education, creativity, and community to support real human flourishing.
  3. If handled well, post-work life could remake cities, families, arts, science, and health by turning economic structures into spaces for community and creativity, though there will be an initial period of decompression before people find lasting meaning.
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The Secret to a Hobby-Filled Life

Culture Study • 7579 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Having a hobby is great for your mental health and helps you relax. It lets you take a break from work and feel restored.
  2. Starting a hobby as an adult can be tough and might feel forced at first. It's important to find something that feels natural and enjoyable for you.
  3. People often struggle with how to spend their free time between self-care and family obligations. It's okay to take time for yourself and explore hobbies without pressure.

Re-imagining the cultural third place

Path Nine • 25 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Personalization and on-demand media have splintered our shared attention, wiping out synchronized rituals that let large groups pause and be unreachable together.
  2. Without those cultural third places, work has become the default source of belonging and structure, and that fragile replacement fuels loneliness, burnout, and identity risk.
  3. We should rebuild third places with low-friction, recurring rituals at the scale of neighborhoods, teams, or friend groups, protecting attention and cultivating 'less but better' activities so life isn't just work.

How I’m spending Dead Week

Austin Kleon • 5315 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. The week between Christmas and New Year's, called Dead Week, is a time to relax and not feel pressure to achieve much. It's a break from the usual hustle and bustle.
  2. Re-reading notebooks and journals can help reflect on the year. It's a comforting way to see what was accomplished and what was not.
  3. Taking time for small pleasures, like relaxing baths and enjoying junk food or fun movies, helps unwind and enjoy the end of the year. It's okay to take it easy and just enjoy life.

On Reclaiming Leisure

The Analog Family • 699 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. We often feel the need to scroll on our phones for a break, but this can actually lower our happiness. Instead, we should look for more rewarding ways to spend our downtime.
  2. Finding high-quality leisure activities can help us feel more fulfilled. This means doing things like reading, being creative, or spending time outside, which can all boost our energy and happiness.
  3. It's important to remember how to have fun as adults. We should allow ourselves time to play and enjoy life, not just focus on responsibilities.

Sit Down and Be Sorted

Kneeling Bus • 146 implied HN points • 20 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Social media and airport lounges both turn personal worth into visible status tiers, making people feel measured and sometimes excluded.
  2. Lounges have spread beyond airports into other public places, becoming branded hangouts where access signals privilege more than actual need.
  3. Companies create and maintain these spaces so people ‘marinate’ in a brand, turning presence and attention into a gamified hierarchy of status.

The Absorption Vacation

Culture Study • 6835 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🏝 Travel Leisure
  1. An absorption vacation is about creating space and rest by immersing yourself in an activity that soothes you.
  2. It involves intentional absorption, leaving distractions behind, and focusing on one relaxing activity.
  3. Choose companions who share your absorption vacation style or enjoy the experience alone.

What I Learned After I Met Pete Hegseth

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1894 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Fame can change how people treat you. It's important to stay humble and remember your roots.
  2. Meeting famous people can show you that they are just regular people with their own struggles.
  3. The way society views success and fame can be misleading. True fulfillment often comes from meaningful relationships, not just fame.

The World Series of Poker Starts Tomorrow

Matt’s Five Points • 219 implied HN points • 27 May 24
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Poker isn't just a card game; it's a gambling game that really depends on money decisions. Unlike other card games, poker's fun mostly comes from the stakes involved, not the actual cards.
  2. No-Limit Hold'em is super popular but not ideal for casual games. It's better to play games with betting limits to keep it fun and relaxed among friends.
  3. The poker scene has changed a lot in the past 20 years. Players today have access to sophisticated strategies and tools, making the competition tougher and more global than ever.

Tuesday Thread: Your Comfort Watch

Culture Study • 1564 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Comfort watches help people feel relaxed, especially during dark and cold seasons. They can bring a sense of coziness and emotional safety.
  2. Many comfort watches are holiday-themed, designed to create warm and nostalgic feelings.
  3. People enjoy revisiting favorite shows or movies because they offer a familiar escape from everyday stress.

I'm writing a book about Oh Hell

Matt’s Five Points • 199 implied HN points • 11 May 24
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. The author is writing a book on Oh Hell, a card game they love and play often. They want to share their passion and knowledge about the game with others.
  2. There is no existing book on Oh Hell, unlike many other card games, which motivates the author to fill this gap in the market.
  3. The book will mix strategy tips with personal stories about the game, showcasing its fun and competitive nature while engaging a broad audience.

Conspicuous Consumption

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. People often consume things not just for their value, but to show off and maintain social status. This is called conspicuous consumption.
  2. Sometimes, conspicuous consumption can lead to positive changes in society by encouraging people to work more, especially when new and interesting goods are available.
  3. Shifting our focus from comparing social status to comparing consumption might lead to better relationships and institutions.

Narrower, Deeper, Older

In My Tribe • 820 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Hobbies often become more complex and less accessible over time. What used to be easy and fun for beginners now requires a lot of skill and effort to enjoy.
  2. As hobbies evolve, they often attract a smaller, older group of dedicated participants. This means fewer younger people are getting involved and learning the basics.
  3. Many traditional hobbies are losing their casual appeal. Newer generations may find them too complicated and end up choosing different activities instead.

Angel Lake reward

PASSAGES • 259 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🏝 Travel Leisure
  1. Sometimes the best travel days are when you don't go anywhere.
  2. Enjoying a day of relaxation can be a rewarding part of a trip.
  3. Anchoring a tent is important to prevent it from flying away.

Time Off in Old Times

Maximum Progress • 314 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
💾 History Leisure
  1. Medieval peasants had more time off due to frequent breaks, long holidays, and seasonal slow downs in paid farm labor.
  2. Comparing work hours between medieval and modern times may not be accurate as the nature of work and leisure is different.
  3. Historia Civilis' analysis overlooks the harsh realities of medieval life, including torture by landlords and mandatory household chores.

The Fun Is Why

Everything Is Amazing • 2117 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Find joy in embarking on quests that may initially seem 'pointless.'
  2. Embrace hobbies and activities for the fun of it, without worrying about productivity or practicality.
  3. Allow curiosity and exploration to lead you to new experiences and emotional benefits, even if they may not have a clear purpose.

Yes. I Took a Vacation

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 207 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Taking a vacation can be refreshing and necessary for mental well-being. It's important to step away from work sometimes and recharge.
  2. Returning from a vacation often brings a renewed sense of purpose and energy. Getting back to work can feel good after some time off.
  3. Sharing experiences from time away can be valuable for both the person returning and their audience. It offers insights and a chance to connect over shared interests.

NEW CULTURE

Less Foolish • 294 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Hipsters were once seen as a counterculture but were later viewed as pretentious and vacuous, signaling the end of Western civilization.
  2. The rise of 'woke' culture, with its focus on social justice, led to a backlash and fatigue, prompting the search for a new culture beyond cancel culture.
  3. Leisure is seen as crucial for the emergence of a new culture, encouraging creativity, philosophical inquiry, and the formation of communal practices.

Adventures on two wheels

Austin Kleon • 1418 implied HN points • 08 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Biking can become an all-consuming passion. Once you start riding, you might just want to do it all the time.
  2. Cycling requires full attention. It's a great way to be in the moment and really connect with your surroundings.
  3. Riding a bike can boost your mood and mental health. If you're feeling down, a bike ride might be just what you need.

Escape to the Beach

Restoring Truth • 196 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🏝 Travel Leisure
  1. Nature provides a refreshing escape from the chaos of daily life.
  2. Beaches offer a sense of unity and camaraderie amongst diverse people.
  3. Spending time at the beach can bring a sense of contentment and new perspectives on life.

Snowmobiling

Splattern • 59 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🏝 Travel Leisure
  1. Snowmobiling can be a lot of fun, especially when you get to explore different terrains and go fast. It's a unique experience compared to skiing.
  2. While snowmobiling is exciting, it can be cold and requires some skill to handle properly. You'll want to dress warmly and be ready for some adventures.
  3. Family relationships matter. Encouraging siblings to stick together and be partners can help them get along better as they grow up.

Leisure

Soaring Twenties • 162 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Leisure is important for a happy life. It's not just about doing nothing; it's a skill that can be learned and appreciated.
  2. Working for a living isn't the only way to find fulfillment. Many people would prefer to spend their time on hobbies and creative projects.
  3. Understanding and mastering leisure can help us slow down and enjoy life more intentionally, just like people in ancient times did.

2025 Update - Part 4

Devansh’s Newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🏝 Travel Leisure
  1. A quiet, welcoming workspace and a gentle community made deep, focused work possible and helped finish important writing.
  2. Trying to do many projects at once didn’t work, so choosing one clear goal — a printable version of the book — brought clarity and real life changes.
  3. Daily wellness routines matter: consistent yoga and meditation became essential, missing gym workouts was noticeable, and hobbies like golf provided a non‑work source of accomplishment and balance.

2025 Update - Part 3

Devansh’s Newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 17 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Being a solo founder brought long workdays and bouts of restlessness and despair, even as hiring, talks, and recruiting cohorts showed steady progress.
  2. Seasonal social life and small wins—Diwali gatherings, a lucky night playing cards, and events like a golf tournament—lifted mood and rekindled hope for connection.
  3. Environment and movement mattered: the monsoon and outdoor activities calmed him, while Delhi’s poor air pushed him to travel to Goa, where the ocean and time away felt restorative.

RTS fever

The Rectangle • 56 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Gaming interests can change over time. While it might have been a huge part of life as a kid, adult responsibilities can make it harder to find time to play.
  2. Real-time strategy games, or RTS games, offer a fun and intense gaming experience. They allow you to focus and engage fully, making them a great way to escape everyday distractions.
  3. Playing games with friends in the same room can be way more enjoyable than online gaming. It can create memorable moments and enhance the overall experience.

Taking a break this week

Sunday Letters • 99 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🏝 Travel Leisure
  1. Taking breaks is important for mental health. It helps you recharge and come back stronger.
  2. Spending time in nature can be refreshing. Doing activities like camping can help you connect with loved ones.
  3. Enjoying the beauty of fall colors can uplift your mood. It's nice to appreciate the changes in nature.

CABO: Best New Light Family Card Game I Learnt This Year

FutureIQ • 7 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Cabo is a quick, light 2–6 player card game that mixes luck, memory and simple strategy so you can play many short rounds with family or friends.
  2. Each player has a 2×2 grid of face-down cards (you peek at two); on your turn you either draw from the deck or take the discard, and certain drawn-and-discarded ranks trigger peek/swap powers while everyone can immediately discard cards that match the top of the discard pile.
  3. Rounds end when someone calls “CABO” (others get one final turn); the lowest hand total wins, callers get a -5 bonus only if they are the sole lowest, and incorrect or illegal discards incur penalties like drawing extra face-down cards.

no. 60: choices made by others

let them eat cake • 179 implied HN points • 24 Sep 22
🏝 Travel Leisure
  1. Leisure travel often revolves around consuming experiences or products, making it different from other types of travel like volunteering or religious pilgrimages.
  2. The character of a city, particularly in France, is shaped by choices made by others long ago, leading to similarities in street activities and settings.
  3. Cities in the US and France are increasingly dominated by activities like eating and shopping, potentially transforming them into tourist destinations as other uses of space become less prioritized.

J-3 offsuit and the Monster Ballads Poker Game

Matt’s Five Points • 179 implied HN points • 10 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Home poker games can turn into special experiences filled with laughter and friendship. They create memories that last beyond the games themselves.
  2. The atmosphere and community in a poker game often matter more than the actual cards being played. Serious conversations can happen in a fun, relaxed setting.
  3. Even if a poker game ends or changes, the bonds formed and the memories created can be revisited and celebrated years later.

Notes from SeaLevel

Malt Liquidity • 12 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🎾 Sports Leisure
  1. Golf can feel pointless when you realize you're just going in circles. It sometimes seems like a fancy way to pass the time without real meaning.
  2. Keeping score in golf, and in life, can bring unnecessary pressure. Enjoying the experience is often better than worrying about the numbers.
  3. Many people get stuck in loops, doing the same things over and over without real growth. It’s important to find purpose and avoid letting these routines control us.

Darts, I love you

The Rectangle • 28 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎾 Sports Leisure
  1. Darts is more than just a game; it's a popular social activity in places like the UK. People often play darts in pubs and at home, making it an accessible sport for everyone.
  2. Playing darts can be a fun way to relax and clear your mind. It's a great alternative to screen time and helps keep you active.
  3. The history of darts shows how it became a beloved pastime. It evolved from a simple throwing game into a major sport enjoyed by millions.

one more turn...

visa's voltaic verses ⚡️ • 21 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Leisure
  1. Playing games like chess and Sudoku can feel really rewarding, especially when there's a sense of progress and learning involved. It's nice to have fun and feel your skills improving over time.
  2. Game sessions can feel well-spent when they involve teamwork and shared goals. Achieving something challenging with friends can create great memories and a sense of achievement.
  3. Writing can be challenging, especially when figuring out how to express ideas in a satisfying way. Finding the right routine and format is key to feeling good about your work.