With spring just around the corner, many of us are preparing to get out of our lazy, winter slump and eager to do something more with our time than just lying around on the couch watching television.
Spring actually serves as a great opportunity to take up some new hobbies.
The trick to picking out a hobby you’ll enjoy is really honing in on what you’re passionate about. What activities bring a smile to your face when you think about partaking in them?
Maybe you love to paint, or take photos, or maybe you like something a bit more laid back – like meditating!
No matter what the activity is, it is both fun to have hobbies, as well as beneficial to our mental health.
If you’re having a hard time figuring out which hobbies to take up, don’t worry, sometimes it takes trying out different things to find out what you actually really enjoy.
And if you don’t know where to begin, here are some ideas of activities to try out this spring.
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Journaling
This first hobby is one that you can do year round, and you don’t have to wait until the weather warms up to begin. Journaling is a great way to get your thoughts down on paper. Whether those thoughts be about the humdrum day you are having, maybe some secrets you need to get off your chest, or just a way to work on your writing skills. Sometimes writing down your personal thoughts and feelings is a good way to just let out some emotions, you’d be surprised that you may even feel better after letting out those thoughts, even if it is just on paper. If you’re not one to get personal, that’s okay too. A quick Google search of writing prompts can help you get started with some topics to write about.
Working Out
I know, I know, for many people working out is more of a chore than a hobby. However, it seems as though the hardest part is getting started. Once you get going, and make it into a routine, it can become very enjoyable for some people. Additionally, it doesn’t have to be said that working out comes with tons of health benefits as well – both mental and physical.
And if you’re someone who absolutely dreads the thought of working out, try to switch things up. If you find that cardio just isn’t your thing, maybe try out some weight lifting, or yoga. There’s tons of different workouts that you can try until you find the right fit. And don’t feel like you have to be in a gym to get it done – take advantage of the warm weather that is to come, or put together a home workout with some online workout videos. The internet is full of them!
Cooking & Baking
Maybe your someone who is endlessly scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram, checking out foodie accounts and drooling over all the amazing looking dishes that are out there. The problem? These restaurants and eateries are nowhere near you, maybe they’re across the country, or maybe your wallet just won’t allow for you to go eat out constantly. That’s okay! This makes for the perfect opportunity to get in the kitchen and work on those cooking skills. You’d be surprised the things you could whip up if you just took the time and effort to practice. Get started by searching some new recipes on Pinterest, and once you get the hang of it, start experimenting with creating meals from scratch!
Applying Makeup
Upon first thought you may be thinking to yourself, how is applying makeup a hobby? It’s something I do every morning as I get ready for the day. While this may be true, maybe you keep it to the bare minimum. Which, of course is totally fine. However, maybe you want to expand those makeup skills to put together different looks. It’s easy to get started, YouTube is full of different makeup tutorials. And if you’re looking to get some new products to add to your collection, but don’t know where to begin, it’s worth it to sign up for a monthly beauty subscription that delivers a variety of makeup products right to your door. One of my favorites is Boxycharm, they have three different tiers you can subscribe to, and I’ve received some of my all time favorite products in these boxes. Plus, you’ll discover so many brands in the mean time!
Photography
If you’re a visual person, you may want to try your hand at photography. There are tons of different types of photography – nature photography, portrait photography, photojournalism, etc. Start out by photographing different things (your friends, landscapes, still life, anything!) and if you find there’s a particular subject you like to shoot, hone in on that type of photography.
And don’t worry, you don’t need a big fancy DSLR camera to get started. After all, you can have the most expensive camera in the world, but photographs will only ever turn out as good as the person behind the camera. Plus, we all have a camera in reach at all times with our cell phones! However, if you find that you do want to invest in a DSLR camera, this Canon kit is a great kit for those looking to seriously get into photography.
Crafting
Crafting is a great hobby you can take up right at home, and the possibilities are endless! You’d be surprised at what you can upcycle or turn into a DIY project. If you’re really looking to get crafty, and looking to add a new piece of furniture or decor to your home, head to your local thrift store and peruse the furniture section. You’d be surprised at what you can find, and even more surprised at what you can make out of it.
Learn A New Skill
Learning a new skill can not only be fun, but it can be beneficial and profitable if you so choose. There are tons of different skills out there to learn – a new language, photo or video editing, journalistic writing, blogging, digital marketing. There’s tons of different skills you can learn. And lucky for us, in this day and age you can use the internet to your advantage. Websites like Skillshare have a boatload of online classes and courses you can take to learn different skills that maybe you’ve always wanted to learn, or want to advance your knowledge in. You can even get your first month free when signing up!
Gardening
If you’re not afraid to get your hands a little dirty and you have a plot of land, no matter how big or small, you can put a piece of it to use by building a garden. Gardens are great because they can add some color to your property, or if you decide to go the produce route, you can grow your own fruits and veggies – which, with the price of groceries these days, can save you a good chunk of change. Spring time is the perfect time to get your garden ready to grow, as some plants take a month or so before they become fruitful.
Volunteering
If you’re looking for a hobby that will benefit others, consider volunteer work. There are so many opportunities out there to volunteer as lots of places need help. If you love animals, try volunteering at an animal shelter, if you love talking with and helping people, try volunteering at a rec center or soup kitchen. Volunteering is a great way to spend your time, as you are helping others and you’ll end up feeling good about it too.
Candle Making
If you’re looking to pick up a hobby that is currently trendy and popular, try out candle making! This hobby is especially great if you’re a candle lover, because candles can go for a pretty penny. By making your own candles you can experiment with different scents and designs and if you really like it, you can even start your own shop to make it profitable.
These are just a few hobbies to get you started. Hopefully these help you find ways to spend your time this spring in a way that is both productive, and fun!