"When I was a kid, I had tons of hobbies. Any free time I could get was spent on activities like reading, drawing, scrapbooking, weaving friendship bracelets, writing stories, and taking dance classes. Some of these hobbies were more long-lived than others (I continued dancing into college but quit making friendship bracelets after a summer or two), but I loved them all. Now, if you were to ask me what my hobbies are, I’d probably stare blankly at you for a minute before blurting out something mundane like sleeping. The thing is, it’s hard to find a great hobby as an adult and even harder to make time for it.
Amid all the responsibilities that come with being an adult (see: working, paying bills, feeding oneself), it can feel impossible to also fit in activities that are just for fun. But what you do with your time outside of work and other obligations can have a significant effect on your mood, productivity, and overall health and wellness. By using that time for activities that fill your cup, you can add a sense of joy and fulfillment to your life that has nothing to do with your career. A hobby is something you do just for you, after all.
It’s never too late to start a hobby, and it is possible to make time for it in your busy schedule. Read for our best tips for finding a new hobby as an adult.
What is a Hobby and Why is it Important?
A hobby is an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation, often outside of one’s regular work or profession. Having a hobby is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, reducing stress, and increasing overall well-being. Engaging in a hobby can provide a sense of purpose, boost self-esteem, and offer opportunities for socialization and personal growth.
Benefits of Having a Hobby
Engaging in a hobby isn’t just about passing the time; it comes with a host of benefits that can enhance your everyday life. Here are some of the key advantages:
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Immersing yourself in a creative hobby can be a wonderful way to unwind and escape the pressures of daily life.
- Improves mental and physical health: Activities like yoga, jogging, or even gardening can boost your physical health, while creative pursuits like painting or creative writing can enhance your mental well-being.
- Increases creativity and self-expression: Hobbies provide a fantastic outlet for self-expression, allowing you to explore your creative side and develop new ideas.
- Provides opportunities for socialization and meeting new people: Joining a book club, taking dance classes, or participating in art classes can help you meet like-minded individuals and build new friendships.
- Enhances cognitive function and memory: Learning a new language or playing chess can keep your brain sharp and improve your cognitive abilities.
- Offers a sense of purpose and fulfillment: Having a hobby gives you something to look forward to and can add a sense of accomplishment to your life.
Why Adults Need Hobbies
As adults, we often get caught up in our work and responsibilities, leaving little time for personal interests and hobbies. However, having a hobby is crucial for maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Hobbies can help adults:
- Reconnect with their inner child and sense of curiosity: Remember the joy of discovering new things as a child? Hobbies can reignite that sense of wonder and curiosity.
- Explore new interests and passions: Whether it’s candle making, creative writing, or learning a new language, hobbies allow you to explore and develop new passions.
- Develop new skills and talents: Picking up a new hobby can lead to the development of skills you never knew you had.
- Meet new people and build social connections: Joining a hobby group or class can introduce you to a whole new social circle.
- Reduce stress and improve mental health: Engaging in activities you love can be a powerful form of self-care, helping to alleviate stress and improve your overall mental health.
How to Find Hobbies as an Adult
The first step to starting a new hobby is choosing one. These tips will help you find an activity you’ll love:
Take stock of your free time
Before you decide on a hobby to make your new personality, you need to figure out how much time you can devote to it. Are you looking for an activity you can do every night before bed, or do you want something you can commit your weekends to? The key here is to be realistic about how much free time you have and choose a hobby that aligns with that time commitment. A hobby like horseback riding, for example, is going to demand a lot more time and effort than something like needlework or learning a new language, which you can easily do at home on your own time.
Consider what you already like to do
Reflecting on the activities that bring you joy in your daily life can help give you the inspiration you need to find a hobby you love. Think of it this way: If you had an entire day free from any responsibilities, what wonderful hobby would you spend time doing? Would you cook an elaborate meal, curl up with a book, or spend the day out in nature getting in some physical activity? Think through what you enjoy about that activity, then look for hobby ideas with a similar vibe.
Reflect on your favorite childhood activities
Time to tap into that inner child, baby. The activities you enjoyed most as a kid can be a great indicator of which hobbies might appeal to you now. As evidenced in the intro, my childhood hobbies all revolved around creative pursuits, so I personally would start there in my search for interesting hobbies. Maybe you were really into sports, fascinated by nature, or inseparable from your Easy-Bake Oven as a kid. Whatever it was, I bet there’s a grown-up version you could try now as a creative hobby.
Start small
The last thing you want is to spend a small fortune on supplies for your new hobby only to realize in a month that you’re just not into it anymore. Start by looking into some hobbies to do at home using stuff you already own or can purchase inexpensively. Then work your way up to taking classes, joining clubs, or investing in fancier equipment as you get more into it. Diving in headfirst straight away is a great way to burn yourself out and end up quitting too soon.
Sign up for a class
Starting a new hobby should be fun, but it can be frustrating if you have no idea what you’re doing. One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with a new activity is to learn from someone who’s an expert at it. In most cities, you’ll find plenty of local businesses and community centers that host art classes, cooking classes, and all sorts of other workshops that can teach you the basics. Sometimes they’re even free! And if you’re looking to learn from the comfort of your home, there are tons of online options for nearly every hobby imaginable. Sites like MasterClass and Skillshare are great places to start. And if you can’t find any classes that apply to your hobby of choice, good old-fashioned YouTube videos can be just as effective.
Enlist a friend
If starting a new hobby from scratch sounds intimidating, enlist a loved one to try it out with you. Instead of braving that ballroom dance class by yourself, for example, bring along your significant other or a friend and make it a fun date. Or invite them over to try out a new hobby you can do at home. If neither of you is any good, at least you’ll be able to laugh about it together. But if you both have a great time, you might just discover a new activity you can do together.
40+ Creative Hobbies for Adults
Need some more inspo before you get started? Whether you’re looking for a cheap hobby you can start right now, a relaxing activity to help you wind down after work, or an active hobby you can do with friends and family, we’ve got you covered. Here are some creative hobbies you can start as an adult—no experience or special skills necessary.
- Learn how to cook
- Paint or draw
- Start a garden
- Get into photography
- Play pickleball or tennis
- Create flower arrangements
- Start a book club
- Try creative writing
- Experiment with mixology
- Put together puzzles
- Sew your own clothes
- Take up jogging
- Make jewelry
- Practice yoga or meditation
- Learn how to play chess
- Start a blog
- Master the art of baking
- DIY furniture or decor
- Go hiking
- Learn calligraphy
- Press flowers or leaves
- Make your own soap
- Take ballroom dance classes
- Practice journaling
- Join a sports league
- Start scrapbooking
- Learn how to knit or crochet
- Go thrifting
- Pick up rollerblading or longboarding
- Pour your own candles
- Dye fabrics
- Take up golf
- Weave macramé designs
- Teach yourself a new language
- Play board games
- Make pottery
- Learn to play an instrument
- Go rock-climbing
- Start a collection
- Make your own beer or wine
- Go bowling
- Practice nail art
- Work with polymer clay
Making the Most of Your Free Time
With increasingly busy schedules, it can be challenging to find time for hobbies. However, making the most of your free time is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and pursuing your interests.
Scheduling Your Hobby Time
Finding time for a hobby might seem daunting, but with a bit of planning, it’s entirely possible. Here are some tips to help you carve out time for your new passion:
Set aside a specific time each day or week for your hobby: Whether it’s 30 minutes before bed or a couple of hours on the weekend, dedicating specific time slots to your hobby can make a big difference.
Prioritize your hobby time and treat it as non-negotiable: Think of your hobby time as an important appointment with yourself. Don’t let other tasks encroach on this precious time.
Use a planner or calendar to schedule your hobby time: Writing it down can help you commit to it. Plus, it’s satisfying to see your hobby time blocked out on your calendar.
Start small and gradually increase the amount of time dedicated to your hobby: You don’t need to dive in headfirst. Start with small, manageable chunks of time and gradually build up as you get more comfortable.
Be flexible and adapt your schedule as needed to accommodate your hobby: Life happens, and sometimes you’ll need to adjust your plans. The key is to stay flexible and find ways to fit your hobby into your routine, even if it means making some changes.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers. Jessica also holds a certificate in interior design from the New York Institute of Art + Design.
Lauren Blue, Lifestyle Staff Writer
As a Lifestyle Staff Writer for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of home decor, delicious recipes, hobbies, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend