Adulthood comes with a lot of freedom but with that freedom, it can get boring. You work full-time but what can you do to fill your evenings and weekends? We all need things to keep us occupied and help us feel fulfilled. Hobbies are a great way of doing this – they bring fun and relaxation and can help us decompress from a long day at work. But while you had after-school clubs as a teenager, there isn’t anything similar for you as an adult. So how can you find new, fun hobbies to try? I have four suggestions below on how you can look for a new hobby.
Explore Your Values
It can be hard to know where to even start when looking for a new hobby. One way to think of some things that may be of interest to you is to explore your values. What things are important to you in life? This can help you identify specific areas worth exploring. If creativity is an important value for you, you could try exploring a creative hobby like drawing, crocheting, or writing. If learning is a top value, perhaps reading, watching documentaries, or even attending local events and lectures about topics you find interesting could be a good path to take. Maybe making memories is important to you, in which case scrapbooking would be perfect.
Not sure what values are most important to you? Try taking the (free) Personal Values Assessment.
Look for Local Events
Attending local events can be a great way to find new hobbies. You’ll be surprised by some of the events you can find! Communities can have events ranging from a yoga class to an oddities convention. A great way to find events to check out is through social media, especially Facebook. Facebook has a whole events section that will tell you about what’s coming up in your area. If you don’t want to go alone, it will also tell you which of your Facebook friends are interested in the event so you can ask to tag along!
Browse Your Library
Your library and the resources it offers can be very helpful in the pursuit to find a new hobby as well. Not only can you go browse the books in their hobbies section, but many libraries also offer electronic resources that can allow you to explore hobbies free of charge. My library provides free access to Creativebug, a website that offers a ton of online tutorials for various activities including crochet, sewing, drawing, cooking, and jewelry-making to name a few. Your library may also offer items that aren’t the typical books and DVDs that you’d expect to find. This can be a great way to experiment with new hobbies without having to put money into an activity that you aren’t sure you’ll enjoy. Your library may additionally offer supplies for things like crochet, board games, disc golf, and more. Some have machines you can use like a Cricut or 3D printer that would be expensive to buy for yourself. Of course what’s available will depend on your library, but it’s a great place to start. You may be surprised at what they have to offer!
Browse Social Media
When all else fails, social media can be a window into new hobbies and interests to explore. I know I have come across a ton of accounts related to my hobbies on Instagram and TikTok. Social media can be helpful not only in helping you find activities, but in providing tutorials and tips for your new hobby and connecting you with a community of people with similar interests. I personally am a member of several Facebook groups for crochet, for example. Just avoid getting too sucked into scrolling – that’s quality time you could be spending on your new hobby!
I hope this post has given you some ideas on how to explore new hobbies to try out. We all need a good hobby or two to bring some joy and relaxation into our lives! Which of these methods are you going to try? How have you found new hobbies in the past?
