Hobbies. Whatever you enjoy doing. Go camping, traveling, play video games, hangout with friends, go to the beach, swim, bike, run, hike. If you lack friends join social groups, meet ups, Facebook groups etc. Fishing, hunting, sports. Artsy things. Take a course you're interested in.
I'm not good at hobbies, I think I'm so brainwashed that work has become my hobby. Except the work I do as a "hobby" is my previous job (in a different department at the same company) that I haven't officially done for 3.5 years, they've hired 3 consecutive replacements for me, weird that they keep quitting cuz there is too much pressure to get 65+ hours worth of work done a week. I guess they must have real hobbies, family, friends...
It's been suggested, after the exit interviews, that I might be the problem and created unrealistic expectations for the role.
I need a real hobby, but I haven't been able to find anything as fulfilling as turning on the work computer after hours and getting shit done when there is nobody about to interrupt, there are no actual expectations or requirements and then I'm actually told I'm appreciated! Hobbies take so much effort.
You are allowing yourself to be exploited for no additional benefit to yourself except for words. Your quality of life isn't improving by any measurable means by being appreciated. Think about this. If you were on your death bed right now, what would you reflect on that you did in your life that you remember most as the most important memories and what would you regret? Would you think to yourself, yah that time I spent doing that work was a life well spent? Would you regret not doing more things that were for yourself and you enjoyed? Or spending more time with loved ones? What is the most important to you that you do with this life? Life is honestly short and can be taken away at any given moment. For me the most important is doing things woth people I care about and creating memorable moments. I will not value the time I spent at work when I'm about to die. I work in order to live. Not the other way around.
Hike, cycle, do some sport or hobby you like. If you don't have that, try everything that comes to mind at least once and see if you like it. You've got all the time in the world to do so!