Okay, sure, the word ‘hobby’ may bring up images of knitting scarves, sewing ‘home is where the heart is’ and collecting porcelain animal figurines, but the truth is that there are plenty of fun, interesting hobbies that you can try out. Not that knitting, sewing and collecting stuff isn’t fun, of course…
To help convince you of the other fun hobbies that are out there, we’ve listed ten of our favorites. Check ‘em out now.
1. Snowboarding
Some might think that this hobby is more of a sport, but we think it deserves to be listed in a category all of its own. More than just a way to burn some calories, snowboarding is both a challenging and rewarding activity that treats your body and your mind. For me, snowboarding is like a moving meditation.
When I’m out there on the ski fields, nothing else matters. Not my job, my family, my friends, not anything but the snow and my board.
Best of all, you can try out snowboarding on your yearly ski vacation for relatively cheap. There are plenty of rental stores near ski fields where you can pick up your equipment and onsite instructors are readily available to help you get the basics nailed down.
And while ski season only comes around once a year, it’s always ski season somewhere in the world! An activity that promotes travelling … that’s not a hobby, that’s an adventure.
2. Drawing
If you’ve ever experienced the feeling of sitting down and losing yourself in a drawing that you’ve created, you’ll know that this hobby is no child’s play. An awesome outlet for the creative, it helps release pent up emotions and stress so you come out of a session feeling calm and inspired.
The good thing about drawing as a hobby is that it requires little to no start-up costs. Just grab a pencil, a piece of paper and an eraser and you’re well on your way.
And if you’re the type of person that complains ‘but I can barely draw stick men!’, then think again. Drawing is actually a skill that you can develop and grow, not just an innate talent. Think stick men today, Leonardo Da Vinci tomorrow!
3. Cooking
Does your cooking repertoire consist of two-minute noodles, toast and scrambled eggs? Are you more comfortable dialing for take-away than cooking up a feast? If so, we recommend you enroll in a cooking class.
For individuals that haven’t grown up in a ‘foodie’ family, cooking can seem like a waste of time. After all, you can get pretty much the same thing, delivered for around the same cost, and you don’t have to make it yourself. Right?
Well … while the pleasure of cooking has to be experienced to be believed, it’s actually healthier and cheaper to cook at home. You get to choose premium ingredients and by starting with fresh, raw ingredients you’re investing in your health and wellbeing.
A good way to kick-start your passion for cooking is to enroll in a beginner’s cooking class. You can also buy a few cookbooks and go online for recipes if you’re more of a self-starter.
4. Dancing
Did you know that more people sign up for dance classes while a reality TV dance show is on than at any other time? And while some might scrape this up to body envy (seriously, those dancers have ah-may-zing bodies!), I think it’s more a matter of memory.
Too often we forget the joy and excitement that can be found in physical activities like dancing. The adrenaline, the sweat and the passion – all of it comes out on the dance floor.
So to fire up your passion again, take a dance class. From jazz to ballet and hip hop to swing, there’s a form of dance suitable for everyone. Most community colleges offer beginner dance classes where you can have fun, meet new people, get fit and try something new.
5. Writing
I have one reason for you to take up writing as a hobby: flow.
Flow is the word that psychologists and creatives use to describe the feeling and sensation you get when you’re completed immersed in your work or your hobby. Flow is what happens when everything around you dims to a low roar and your central focus is the words you’re writing or the art you’re creating. Flow is when you’re completely involved in what you’re doing and experience a sense of joy and satisfaction.
Flow is why you should be writing.
Whether it’s a blog, the next New York Time’s Best Seller or a diary for your eyes only, writing can be the key to unlocking your passion and releasing pent up emotions.
Hint: When you’re starting out, don’t worry about the quality of your writing. That will come in time. Instead, just focus on the pleasure and joy of putting words onto a page.
6. Photography
These days it can seem like any fool with an iPhone considers themself an amateur photographer. However, just like splashing some paint onto a page doesn’t make you an artist, taking a snapshot with an Instagram filter doesn’t make you a photographer either.
There’s still plenty of room for photography enthusiasts and so many different elements to learn and master that photography is one hobby that is sure to satisfy. You can start off with an entry-level digital camera and then work your way up to the big tripod-looking suckers, before learning the art of digital editing.
To get started, why not rent a photography book from the library or have a look at some of the great photography blogs online? You can also check out some magazines (there are heaps that focus on digital editing) or sign up for a beginner’s photography class.
Some cities even have jogging photography and nature photography tours where you can go for a jog or a hike in nature with a group of like-minded souls and take photos along the way. Or you could stay at home and take happy snaps of your cat. Whatever works!
7. Music, sweet music
If you don’t know how to play an instrument, now’s the time to get started. From guitar to trombone and all the musical instruments in between, music is one hobby you can absolutely lose yourself in.
And don’t say you can’t do it either. With patience and practice anything is possible!
Willa Holland, the young, beautiful actress from Arrow, learnt to play the ukulele after facing days of doing nothing while she had time off. Her advice? “Any human can pick up the uke.”
So, what are you waiting for? Worst-case scenario, your musical skills will be limited to the triangle. But you never know – you might end up as the next top drummer/guitarist/banjo player!
8. Languages of the world
One of the cool things about learning a language is that not only do you get a new hobby, but you also develop a life-long skill that can actually come in pretty handy!
It’s also a relatively inexpensive and easy hobby to pick up. Most bookstores offer ‘how-to’ books for the major languages as well as DVD’s and audiotapes that support your learning experience. There are also community college classes, private education classes, tutors and online courses you can enroll in.
Another good reason to expand your vocabulary (to another language, that is) is that being bilingual or multilingual has been said to offer cognitive benefits such as boosting the performance of the brain and aiding in the prevention and delay of Alzheimer’s disease.
9. Etsy it up
For those of you that need an incentive to invest in a hobby, here’s one for you: you can turn your hobby into a moneymaking venture.
With the advent of crafty and DIY shopping sites as Etsy, it’s all too easy to turn your hobby into a business. And if you don’t have a hobby, you can easily pick one up and then make money out of it! Bazinga.
Some ideas for new hobbies that can earn you dosh include artwork, furniture, clothing, jewelry and homewares, all of which you can make at home in your spare time. Best of all, you control what you sell and how you sell it so there’s no pressure.
For more ideas, visit Etsy.com
10. The marathoner
We all know that one person that gets up at dawn each day to run 20 miles before work. Or the girl that slides on her sneakers at lunchtime to fit in some training. And while we may look at them in abject horror when we learn that they’re actually training for an ‘event’, this is actually a really good idea for a hobby.
Not only are you getting fit, improving your health and protecting yourself from future illness, but your wellbeing and happiness levels will improve too as you become more confident with yourself and your skills and as those endorphins start flowing.
Ideas for events include marathons, fun-runs, charity events and Tough Mudder-esque events.
What about you? Do you have an interesting and fun hobby you’d like to share?
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