A new year is finally here. It’s a season all about new beginnings, fresh starts and looking ahead to the future.
One of the easiest and most fun ways to start new is by picking up a new hobby. And the best thing about hobbies is that you can decide how you want to do it. If you want to do it once a month or once a week, that’s up to you. You can bring friends into or try it alone. The point of a hobby is to do something outside of your regular life.
If you’re the kind of person looking to try something new this season, here are eight hobbies of varying skills and resources that you can start getting into this weekend.
Hiking
One of the best things you can do for yourself is get outside and enjoy some fresh air. Hiking is the perfect hobby to pick up if you’re trying to spend more time in nature. You can start off simple and hike some flat trails, or you can train for an up-hill battle. It’s a great way to see some of the most beautiful sites in the world, too, at places like the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. And, it’s a great hobby to try with a friend!
Upcycling
Upcycling, or creative reuse, is simply the process of transforming unwanted materials into new materials with greater value. The hobby has gained more popularity within the few years as it has a positive impact on the environment. Take a walk through your local thrift store for items or clothes that you can turn into something new.
Journaling
Journaling is a great way to process all the thoughts running around in your head. Taking a few minutes every day to pick one thought and explained on it can change your whole outlook. Or, if you need some inspiration to get the creative words flowing, try working through a journal prompt book. You may discover something new and exciting about yourself!
Learn an instrument
Learning an instrument takes a bit of discipline, but it can also be a lot of fun. And the best part is, there’s plenty of instruments to choose from! Can’t quite get the hang of a guitar? Try a trombone or the drums or the flute. There’s numerous resources online to help get you started.
Painting
Painting is a calm hobby that lets your creativity run wild. You can paint on a canvas, a book, a wall using watercolors, oils, acrylics. And you can paint anything and everything that comes to mind, from trees to faces to dreams. This artistic hobby is a great outlet for anyone who is looking to get creative.
Cooking/baking
Honestly, who doesn’t love “The Baking Friend”? Everyone benefits from the sweet treats and delicious meals. Get in the kitchen and make something new and exciting. Or, if you’re more of a rule follower, grab a new cookbook and try to cook through a new meal each week. There’s endless possibilities in the kitchen.
Volunteering
This hobby is one of the best because it always helps someone else. You may have a cause you’re passionate about, but you might be unsure what you can do to help. Dig into some research and see how you can volunteer. Or make a goal to spend one weekend a month volunteering a different causes. Food banks, clothing donation centers, homeless shelters and more could always use more volunteers. Grab a group of friends and start serving your community.
Pickleball
Pickleball had a sort of rebirth last year, although no one really knows why. Regardless of whether you want to become a pickleball champ or just get outside and enjoy fun exercise, this is the hobby for you. You can get a group of friends together and play a round (or five) at your local pickleball courts. Many cities have free or cheap pick-up games, so you can meet new people, too.
