"At this point in my life, if I’m going to invest time, energy, or money into something, I want it to (at the very least) fill my cup. Life is stressful enough as is, so when it comes to solving the age-old “I’m bored” conundrum, I’m looking for hobbies that make me feel good above all else. Sure, watching hour-long White Lotus episodes helps me pass the time (and gives me a surge of instant gratification), but it’s not exactly a hobby in the traditional sense of the word. What I really need is a hobby that will give me an endorphin boost and help me unplug, without feeling like too much of a challenge or chore.
Whether you’re trying to nail down a pastime that reenergizes you or looking for an alternative to your nightly scrolling sesh, I’ve got you covered. These feel-good hobbies will leave you feeling 10 times better:
1. Bake something from scratch
I absolutely love baking because not only is the process enjoyable, but you also get a delicious treat to enjoy at the end. It’s like a reward for spending time doing something instead of scrolling. Crack open a cookbook or pull up Pinterest and choose a recipe that piques your interest. Even if it doesn’t come out perfect on the first try, it’s always fun to get your hands messy and try to whip something up from scratch. If you find yourself knee-deep in sweet treats, you can always share them with your friends or neighbors.
2. Start a scrapbook
We’re so used to chronicling our lives digitally that the art of scrapbooking has kind of been lost. But there’s nothing better than flipping through a physical book of memories rather than scrolling. Print out a bunch of photos, gather some scrapbook materials, and then get creative with the pages. If, like me, you have a box of random ticket stubs and other sentimental items that others might call trash, scrapbooking is a great way to actually display them.
3. Put together puzzles
Puzzles are a completely underrated form of entertainment, in my opinion. They’re challenging enough to get your brain moving, but they don’t require any real thinking. I love throwing on a podcast in the background and sitting at my kitchen table for hours, piecing things together. Start with a simple 500-piece option, and as you get better, you can graduate to more impressive 2,000-piece ones.
4. Get artsy with coloring books
As someone with very limited artistic abilities, I’ve always wanted to pick up a hobby like painting or sketching, but I simply don’t have the artistic inclination to do so. Adult coloring books are my newfound way to channel my artistic side without relying on actual skill. There’s something so satisfying about filling in the lines, and there are a million coloring books to choose from. I personally have a Real Housewives of New York coloring book, and I couldn’t recommend it enough.
5. Play card or board games
For this hobby, you’ll need to recruit some fellow players, but once you find a group, it’s so much fun. It’s a super easy, low-lift way to get together with friends instead of reverting to a movie night or meeting for drinks. These games can be as complicated or as easy as you like, but some of my favorites as a casual player are Codenames, Five Crowns, and Skyjo.
6. Build, tackle, and annotate a TBR list
The number of book recommendations coming at a person on any given day can be overwhelming. From word-of-mouth recs from friends and coworkers to internet ones from BookTok and Instagram, it’s nearly impossible to remember everything you might want to read—unless, of course, you immediately add a book to your TBR, or To Be Read, list. A TBR list helps you keep track of books you want to read, but it can also be a powerful tool for setting reading goals for yourself and even rating and reviewing books after you’ve read them. Whether you prefer to do this in an app like GoodReads or want to keep a good old-fashioned book journal, there’s an option for everyone.
7. Sign up for a sports team
If you miss the routine and socialization that came with playing sports growing up, you need to join a recreational sports league. It’s low commitment and such a great way to get some exercise while meeting new people. If you’re nervous, sign up with a friend, and before you know it, you’ll be counting down the days until your next practice.
8. Go hiking in nature
Daily walks around your neighborhood are already fantastic for your physical and mental health, but if you want to take it a step further, try venturing out into nature to transform your next walk into a hike. You don’t have to live in a state with majestic mountains and forests to take up hiking—every state (yes, even the Midwestern ones) has nature reserves, state parks, local hiking trails, and more for you to explore. Simply search “hiking trail near me” to find your new favorite escape into nature.
9. Practice intention or manifestation journaling
We talk a lot about both manifestation and journaling here at The Everygirl because it’s not only a hobby but also a form of self-care and mindfulness. Journaling can be therapeutic in the sense that it lets you get all your thoughts out on paper. Plus, it can also help with everything from practicing gratitude to setting intentions to manifesting your best life.
10. Refine your green thumb
If you’re looking for a hobby that allows you to get your hands dirty, gardening might be perfect for you. It’s something tangible you can do with your hands, it requires you to tend to whatever you’re growing, and you’ll get something out of it in the end, all of which can be very rewarding and meditative. Don’t have a backyard? No worries—you can do a lot with just a few small containers on a windowsill or balcony.
11. Pick up and learn an instrument
Maybe it’s time to expand your musical repertoire beyond “Hot Cross Buns” on the recorder. If you, like me, are always wishing that your parents put you in music lessons when you were young, it’s important to remember that it’s never too late. You can take in-person or online classes to learn guitar, piano, violin, or whatever else your heart desires. Or if you want less of a time and money commitment, you can even teach yourself through YouTube videos.
12. Find a form of physical activity that you actually like
When it comes to workout routines, it’s all too easy to get stuck in a rut of doing the same thing over and over and getting bored to the point where you stop altogether (I know I’ve been there). But why not approach working out as if it’s something fun that you choose to do rather than something that you feel obligated to do? The key is finding a physical activity that you actually enjoy. From dance classes to bike riding to yoga and pilates, find a form of exercise you’ll look forward to, and work it into your weekly routine. You’ll enjoy a rush of endorphins and a sense of accomplishment every time you do it.
13. Reconnect with a hobby from childhood
As children, we spend a majority of our free time simply doing things that make us happy. And then as we grow up, our hobbies either become our jobs (if we’re lucky) or we set them aside in favor of our responsibilities. But reconnecting with something you enjoyed doing when you were younger—whether that be painting, rollerskating, horseback riding, or anything else—is the perfect place to start if you’re looking for a fulfilling hobby to occupy your free time.
14. Get creative with a form of art
Art—from painting to drawing to pottery—can be seriously therapeutic. It allows you to tap into your creative side, create something with your own two hands, and unwind while you do it. Grab some art supplies and let those creative juices flow, or, if you need some inspiration to get started, try following along with an art kit or workbook. You could even look up local classes in your area to learn something new.
15. Practice creative writing
When was the last time you wrote a story purely for your own enjoyment? Many of us probably enjoyed creative writing when we were kids, putting our tall tales on paper to read to our teachers and parents. This hobby is an excellent way to exercise your creativity and imagination and allows you to escape into a new world for a bit. And if you’re not quite ready to write a full-on story, you could try your hand at poetry as well. Don’t worry—no one has to see it but you!
16. Foster a pet or volunteer at your local animal shelter
If you’re an animal lover but not in a position to have your own pet quite yet, fostering or volunteering at an animal shelter could be your new favorite hobby. Not only do you get to hang out with cats or dogs while you work, but you can also find personal fulfillment by knowing that you’re doing something good. Just don’t blame me if you end up adopting a couple along the way…
Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor
Ashley’s first love in life is writing and, since working at The Everygirl, her passion has grown to encompass all forms of content creation. Since joining our company, Ashley has grown her creative instincts and merged them with metrics-driven strategy, bringing a fresh perspective to our team.
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.