7 Useless Obsessions That Are Actually Good for You

Collecting Striped Shirts

Maybe your French–new wave preoccupation induces you to buy way too many boatneck striped shirts and attempt the occasional ill-fated Brigitte Bardot–inspired bouffant/eyeliner situation. But even this fixation can be parlayed into something useful; instead of turning away, head into it full-throttle. Instead of listening to that Serge Gainsbourg record a millionth time, par exemple, learn French. (After all, it's been proven that learning new skills helps your brain to get brainier. Same goes for fixation on a silly YouTube "Call Me Maybe" cover video that induces you to take up the ukulele, or Top Chef habit that manifests itself in advanced-home-chemistry experiments. Like, you know, gumbo.