It annoys me when someone refers to my writing as a hobby. The Merriam-Webster definition is "a pursuit outside one's regular occupation, engaged in especially for relaxation". In my case, I retired from my regular occupation a decade ago, and filled my days with various activities. Including staring into space. I'd written a bit in high school, but since then hadn't done more than test plans and some user documentation at work. I see a hobby as something very casual, but for many it can become a passion. Even an obsession. Every day I am doing something writerly - be it writing, editing, planning a story, perusing various writer's blog, or reading fiction with a writer's eye. I have long-term goals, short-term objectives, and occasionally even make money at this. So I suppose it has become my regular occupation.
Yet I don't see it as a job. I'm not someone that writes every day, because I have to, because I'm driven to it. Some people like that image for themselves - not for me. I think it's the idea of setting aside a big block of time, every day. Maybe that's not needed, though. I read an interesting blog post today, 6 Simple Tips to Create Daily Writing Habits. The author suggests when trying to create a habit, setting the bar low enough so that you can always meet it. Don't aim for 2 hours every day, from 9-11 am, in the desk by the window, on your pc. Try for 10 minutes a day. You might write more, but that's the target. Sure, aim for the morning, but be satisfied whenever it fits in. Maybe even scribbled in a notebook at the doctor's. Or on the train, on the way to meet your sweetie.