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Growing up, I never really had a traditional hobby—unless dancing with mates in nightclubs until the small hours counted! But now, in my fifties, dancing has become my absolute passion. Every Tuesday night, I join a room full of enthusiastic strangers for a hip-hop dance class. We learn move by move until, by the end of the hour, we’ve mastered a full routine. The sheer joy and satisfaction of locking down those sequences lifts my mood for the entire week. This month’s cover story on page 82 dives into exactly why hobbies are so powerful. Engaging in something you love releases feel- good endorphins, lowers stress, and boosts long-term happiness. Take 81-year-old grandmother Kathryn, for example, whose high- flying hobby is skydiving out of planes (page 38). Or the inspiring founder of the Dear Dad Project on page 10, who turned his love for letter writing into a beautiful movement that offers encouragement and comfort to others. If you’re after a thrill, don’t miss our gripping deep-dive cave rescue on page 96, or for a heartwarming read, meet Charlotte and her wonderful guide dogs on page 6. Do you have an unusual hobby? Email me at letters@readersdigest. com.au — I’d love to hear your story! It’s Never Too Late For a New Hobby DEAR READER SheronWhite, GM OF sales & publishing reader ’ s digest 4   MAY 2026 Thank you for trusting us with your care Most trusted brand for optometrists 7 years running