Getting a New Hobby: What I’m Thinking
It’s getting boring around here, Y’all! And I’m an introvert who loves lots of low-key activities. But it’s still boring! I’m thinking about getting a new hobby.
What hobbies have I had in the past?
- I love planning Around-the-World trips, vacations, or even just day trips.
- Reading is also fun.
- I hate running but I try to do it twice a week. It doesn’t really count as a hobby.
- I wish I could say yoga is a hobby, but it’s not.
- I used to sew a lot. Sewing isn’t actually fun to me, but I liked the end results.
- I used to pick up random yet fun crafts like embroidery or knitting.
- Blogging/writing is definitely a hobby.
- Playing games with my husband is a hobby. My favorites are gin rummy, Go Town, Rummikub, and Quiddler.
- I like spending time in nature—specifically sitting near/in creeks.
What ideas do I have for new hobbies?
- Pottery
- Water colors
- Bonzai
- Macrame
- Weaving
- Paper crafting
- Growing flowers
- Lettering
- Candle making
- Cheese making
- Print making
- Karakuri
- Canning
- Homesteading
There’s a difference between just occupying your time with a project versus an actual hobby. I do not enjoy DIY home projects, and yet I am currently re-caulking our bathtub. I also don’t really enjoy watching TV all that much, and yet I am currently re-watching 15 years of Grey’s Anatomy. Sheesh. I really do need a new hobby!
What do you like to do for fun? Have you added anything new lately?
8 Comments
Emily Algranati
Have you ever thought of starting a side hustle where you plan trips for people? For ex: they tell you where, how long, what time of year, and maybe some goals for the trips, and you create an itinerary with options for lodging, tours or outings, etc. Lots of options for the types of directions you could take it, but could be a fun side gig. You could offer it during this time as a way for folks to be able to have future vacations mapped out as something to look forward to etc.
Sara Cotner
I’m flattered that you think other people might be interested in my planning skills, Emily!
It might even be fun to just put together some generic vacation ideas (with awesome AirBnB choices, quirky itinerary ideas, etc.) because I know a lot of folks who even have trouble picking a spot. It might help take some of the pressure off of them if they could just browse cities to go to!
Mary B.
My take on starting a new hobby: it shouldn’t be expensive (at least in the beginning). Find something that you can do with supplies you already have at home, or ones that are easy to come by. Go with something where you can start small, and make small yet measurable gains. I like knitting and needle-felting for this reason. Also, you don’t HAVE to be good at your hobby, no does it HAVE to be productive. I’m also a fan of hobbies that you can pick up and put down over long periods of time, versus things that need to be completed at specific intervals. Right now I am discovering a bunch of knitting projects and am back to playing the guitar, my on-again, off-again instrument of choice for the past decade.
Sara Cotner
This is great advice, Mary! Thank you so much for chiming in!
Sylvie
A few of your ideas make me think that quilling might be enjoyable for you, if you haven’t already come across it. It’s basically art made with coils of thin strips of colored paper. The simplest techniques are definitely easy enough that your kids could join you, yet the more advanced ones are challenging even for adults and take a long time to master.
Sara Cotner
I’ll check it out. Thank you for sharing, Sylvie!
Mamaschlick
What about card making? There are tons of tutorials on the web (free) and it’s easy and leaves room for creativity. It will help your monthly card writing, and you can even send cards as gifts. You can literally use anything to decorate. I’ve made great looking cards just dabbing a pencil eraser in ink and then creating a dot pattern on cardstock paper I turned into cards. Or you can use stamping supplies, magazines for collage type cards, the inside of junk mail envelopes (those cool patterns), paint, cut outs, anything! Your kids could join sometimes and write letters to family or essential workers. You can buy envelopes cheap, even cheaper from wholesalers. I used to use art magazines to make some cool cards and matching envelopes. You could make mini cards. Or…holiday gift tags. I made tons of these and they are so nice (again just get ideas free from internet, Google “DIY gift tags!)” I gave them as gifts just before the holidays and people loved them.
Or paper mache projects? In college I made a life size dog out of paper mache. Looked crazy but funky and it was awesome. And kids can help make layers. Or you could go for bowls you decorate and give as gifts. I’ve been wanting to make these forever: https://lh6.ggpht.com/-gWCV5lih8ds/UU5AXYGGXUI/AAAAAAAATtM/XPTif45WXWk/s1600-h/Confetti-Bowl-74.png
Might not be life long hobbies but stuff you “produce” during the pandemic and feel good about.
Sara Cotner
Such fun ideas! Thank you!