How do you spend your five-to-nine? It’s easy to measure your success by what you accomplish during your nine-to-five, but your time outside of work is just as valuable — investing your time into hobbies can help you nurture creativity, learn new skills and manage stress.
In this article, we'll outline 10 new hobbies to try, plus some product suggestions to help you get started.
Recently, pickleball has exploded in popularity. The perfect blend of tennis, badminton and ping pong, pickleball is an enjoyable, accessible sport for people who want to stay active while having fun. The game is easy to learn; just get basic pickleball gear, find a local court and gather with friends or join a league. We love this beginner pickleball set from Amazon — it comes with everything you need to start playing, and it has a fun, groovy color scheme.
When was the last time you let out your inner artist? Painting is a great way to tap into your creativity, and they can also be relaxing and therapeutic. You can experiment with different types of paint, like acrylic, gouache, watercolor and oil paint. Many people find acrylic paint a beginner-friendly option, but it’s most important to find the paint that you enjoy using.
Thanks in part to #booktok, book clubs are as popular as ever. If you enjoy reading, consider joining a book club or starting your own. A book club is a great way to gather a group of people together over a shared interest, and it can also introduce you to authors and genres you may not have read otherwise.
Love candles? Consider creating your own. Candle making is a relaxing hobby that allows you to customize your living space with beautiful handmade candles. You can choose the scents and aesthetics that resonate the most with you and match your decor, mood or even the changing seasons. We love this candle making kit from Amazon! Complete with soy wax, jars, tins, fragrance oils, dye blocks, wicks and more, this comprehensive kit is perfect for beginner candle makers.
Express your creativity through DIY home decor projects. Whether it's refurbishing furniture, making personalized wall art, or crafting unique home accessories, DIY projects can transform your living space and give you a sense of accomplishment. TikTok and Pinterest are great places to search for ideas, but here are some beginner-friendly DIY home decor projects:
If you’re seeking adventure and an adrenaline rush, rock climbing might be right for you. Enroll in a climbing gym and learn the ropes (literally!), or venture into outdoor climbing. Climbing not only builds physical strength, but it can also enhance problem solving skills and self confidence. Rock climbing also fosters a tight-knit and supportive community, so it can be a great way to meet new people.
Knitting and crocheting are hobbies that blend creativity and relaxation. With just a few tools — knitting needles or a crochet hook and a skein of yarn — you can create one-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, blankets and more. You can also enjoy knitting and crocheting while you watch TV or listen to music.
Tap into your creativity through sculpture. You can create pieces like mugs and planters by shaping clay or using a pottery wheel. Joining a local pottery class or studio can also open doors to a community of fellow artists and learners. We love this sculpting starter kit because the air-dry clay is perfect for beginners!
Nurturing plants is a great way to connect with nature while enriching your surroundings. Start with easy-to-grow plants like herbs or succulents, and add more plants to your collection as your green thumb develops. You can even propagate plants and share them among friends to expand your collection.=
Volunteering can also be a hobby. Whether it's working with local charities, helping at animal shelters or participating in environmental clean-up initiatives, volunteering is a fulfilling way to positively impact the world around you. Furthermore, volunteering can help you develop new skills that you can apply to other areas of your life.
For about 35 years my hobby has been genealogy. I find it all so fascinating.
For about 35 years my hobby has been genealogy. I find it all so fascinating.
I think joining a book club would be awesome!!
I think joining a book club would be awesome!!
I?d like to learn to knit or crochet.
Would love to try making candles!
Would love the candle making kit
Sculpting intrigues me!
I have done a lot of these already--but have never made candles! This sounds fun and could make great gifts!
I'd like to learn how to do pottery!
Candle making would be a nice way to create gifts.
I'd love the candle making kit please!!!!
Would love to try candle making.
Love putting puzzles together and painting rocks
Candlemaking set