Any viewer of the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings films can give a decent description of Hobbits through what is seen in these storylines. However, there are a lot of significant qualities and symbolism associated with them that is only obvious in their lives outside of going on perilous journeys. Hobbits, sometimes referred to as halflings, are simple, peaceful creatures that range from about 2-4 ft in height and have disproportionately large, hairy feet, much like a rabbit’s. Their feet allow them to jump well for their size and, despite being so big, allow them to move about quietly.

Many fans relate to Hobbits the most among the many creatures of Middle-earth. This was probably intentional on Tolkien’s part, given that he chose Hobbits as the focus characters for the tasks in these stories. Tolkien definitely intended the characters to represent his perceptions of reality, including his dislike of machinery.

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Hobbits represent the average person in our society and how they cling to the things that make them comfortable and fear change. However, as the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings stories have taught fans, if they stray from their comfortable lives for the sake of a greater good, the journey is often tough but rewarding. To examine their lifestyle, it must first be noted that there are three distinct groups of hobbits: the Harfoots, the Fallohides, and the Stoors. Though there are a few physical and environmental differences between these groups, they mostly go about life the same way. Of course, overtime these groups became interwoven. The Hobbits of the Shire and Bree are descended from the Harfoots.

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All of these groups of Hobbits often live to be around 100, though some recorded hobbit lives have lasted up to 130 years. Their long lives are surely a result of their leisurely and stress-free lifestyles. Rather than allowing others to take their energy, they give it away willingly and balance it by making time to relax. This again displays how balance contributes to things working well for longer. When many people consider Hobbits, they immediately picture them in front of a Hobbit hole. However, not all Hobbits live in these types of homes, especially when considering the three types of Hobbits and the different places they inhabit.

Like most of the creatures of Middle-earth, Hobbits are meant to reflect society so as a result, they have classes. The wealthier a Hobbit, the more likely they are to live above ground, in houses made of wood or stones, like the structures of men. Middle-class hobbits, which is the group that Bilbo and Frodo belong to, live in houses that are partly underground, in hills. The hobbits who belong to the lower classes are said to live in holes much more similar to the burrow of an actual rabbit.

There are of course several elements that make up the average day for a hobbit-- no matter what their home looks like-- that contribute to a long, peaceful, balanced life. Several of the points that make a normal day to a Hobbit could benefit the average person in modern-day society as they live by routines that keep them on track and in a good mental state.

Firstly, there’s food, which is not simply a means of nourishment to Hobbits, but one of the joys in life-- a hobby, a beloved pastime. Because of this, Tolkien writes that they often tend to lean toward the chubby side, though it should be pointed out that, through the Hobbit meals Tolkien describes in his tales, it does not seem that all of these six meals are very big. By eating healthy, smaller portions of grains, nuts, fruits, and veggies through the duration of the day, their energy is sustained.

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On a similar note, they really enjoy a crisp ale and a good pipe. These are creatures who have learned to make luxuries out of the simple things in life. While the average person in our world has a beer or puff off the pipe to take the edge off of a day, hobbits use them to get their day going.

They appreciate both peace and quiet, and a good celebration with friends. Their style of relaxation contrasts their style of partying quite a lot. While they find absolute contentment strolling alone through their gardens with a pipe in hand, they are equally happy clinking their beer mugs against their friend’s glasses at a celebratory event. They are able to find healthy balances in life between peace and socializing, which contributes to good mental health.

When not relaxing or celebrating, they spend a lot of time tending to gardens and crops in fields. They give to the planet that, in turn, gives to them. They treat the care they give their plants as therapy, making it a relaxing process rather than a tolling one, and because of this, they grow their food with love. Much of the food that they eat was derived from plants and so caring for the crops is a very important task among the Hobbits.

They walk around barefoot because their leathery-soled feet allow them to get around easily without shoes. This is perhaps one of the habits of their lives that keep them so well-grounded in nature. They are very connected to the Earth and treat her well-being as their own. If the Earth around them is sick, they treat it. They are nurturers, just as they are defenders, when need be. That being said, for creatures that don’t wear shoes and don’t leave the house much to relax most of the day, they dress for show. They wear fancy waistcoats, often in bright colors. Perhaps they abide by the belief that if you look good, you feel good.

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Nonetheless, they are not materialistic. The Hobbits of the Shire developed their own custom of giving away gifts, rather than receiving them, on their birthdays. Yet again, the hobbits prove through this that they are creatures that truly embody love and servitude. They recognize that life is the gift and do not lust after material goods, but instead extend tokens of their love and gratitude to friends and family.

Lastly, Hobbits are very partial to their lifestyle and it makes them very uncomfortable to have to stray from it. Because of this, they are very partial to the Shire, given that it is one of the few places in Middle-earth peaceful enough for Hobbits to exist this way. The Shire represents home. Of course, those Hobbits who risked their lives for the Shire, Bilbo and Frodo, ultimately decide to leave it for the Undying Lands, demonstrating the importance of moving on to obtain growth.

While everything about the average day of Hobbits may feel like an unattainable reality for many fans, there’s a lot that we can learn from the way that Hobbits go about life. They don’t add extra stress to their lives unless there's a good reason for it, which usually means helping someone other than themselves. Tolkien made a careful decision in incorporating a character that embodied the opposite qualities of the required Lord of the Rings journey because it allowed audiences to witness the Hobbits grow and inspired the viewers to do the same.

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