If you had the money to retire at 30, your savings would be invested and on an average year your earnings would cover your expenses. You would have health insurance, so no worries there. The only catch is that you would have to keep your expenses at 65% of what you spend right now. Would you take it, or would you rather work a few more years for a better lifestyle and financial security?
Hobbies won’t nourish your soul for the next 40 years.
Sure. People need socialization and relationships with other people. Similar to hobbies, that can be as expensive or as inexpensive as one wants. Socialization often even combines with hobbies and recreational activities.
What else do people need? I’d say that purpose. That’s why many people choose to volunteer.
Surprised I have to point this out but…
People need to be challenged. People want to test their mettle and push boundaries and produce value and be useful and show everyone what they can achieve.
When you’re in your 80s and all messed up and just sitting around waiting to die, a great collection of knitted gloves and scarves might not be very satisfying.
I’m not sure why you think hobbies can’t be challenging. Aside from various types of competitive activities, many hobbies very much involve pushing boundaries.