Hobbies aren't just fun — they're indie hackers' secret weapon

• Hobbies build self-belief and make you more willing to take risks.

• Creative hobbies like dancing or chess fire up your brain, making you more productive and creative.

• Hobbies help you tap into the flow state, both during play and at work, making you super productive.

Taking time for hobbies isn't just about recharging — it's about boosting your creativity and brainpower. For Indie Hackers that could mean the difference between burnout and success. Let's dive into three research-backed reasons why picking up that guitar or paintbrush can level up your hustle.

1. Hobbies boost confidence

Letting your mind play can seriously amp up your self-belief. A study from Drexel University found that just 45 minutes of creative activity — be it doodling, molding clay, or collage — can boost your confidence in tackling tasks. The key seems to be creating in a non-judgmental environment, letting people’s confidence naturally shine

Confidence is rocket fuel for founders. When you trust in your abilities, you're more likely to take the risks that lead to big rewards. So go ahead, sketch that comic, or try some DJing. It's not just fun — it's building up the badass within.

2. Start thinking out-of-the-box

Hobbies fire up your brain in ways your workday just doesn’t. Stuff like dancing, music, or chess sharpens your thinking and makes you more creative— even when you’re back on the job. A study in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that creative hobbies actually make you more productive.

For us Indie Hackers, creativity is often our biggest leverage — it's our bread and butter. So it might be a good time to find those old drumsticks or sign up for that improv class.

3. Hobbies get you into the flow state

Flow state has become such a buzzword lately that just hearing it makes my eyes roll.

That said, there’s no denying how powerful it is. When you hit that flow—where time disappears — you're not just five times more productive, you’re way more creative too.

The bottom line

Some things drain us, others fill us up. Every time you engage in things that make you feel alive something inside you grows — it also makes you a better Indie Hacker. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that more grind equals more things done. But sometimes, the smartest move is to step back and play a little.