Obviously the living standard of most humans has reached a point where we are able to spend vast amounts of time on recreational activities. I am wondering however if people in the medieval era ever had the money or time to peruse interests other than their profession and taking care of necccesities such as feeding oneself.
I am aware that the wealthy have probably always had the time to pursue their own hobbies. In this case I am wondering about common folk and if they were able to have personal interests or if they were always confined to work/personal obligations.
Stitching patterns into fabric (embroidery) was something that both lower and higher class members of society participated in. this was considered more of a women's activity, however, and I don't recall any accounts of men (outside of tailors) doing this for leisure.