Doing something creative with your hands is therapeutic and it might be something you need whether you’re stressed at school, work, or just need an outlet for self-expression. Hobbies are also a good distraction and allow you to never stop learning about new things. It’s also a good way to try out something new or have fun without using the internet.
Hobbies don’t necessarily have to be expensive— there are low-cost options that are just as fulfilling. The best part is, you can learn it on your own too. If you’re one of those people looking for ways to do something productive in your downtime, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are some hobbies that you can self-teach:
Take Cooking Classes
No one is ever put in a bad mood by being around with food. Taking a cooking class is one of the most sensible ways to use your free time because it will challenge you and it will make your life better. Who says its only women who can cook? Men can do too! Nothing beats the feeling of being able to cook all your meals as well as cook for others.
Once you know your way around the kitchen, you will no longer want to get take out food. On the plus side, you will be able to achieve those grown-up dinner parties you’ve always wanted with your newly-acquired cooking skills. Furthermore, you’ll be able to control your own nutrition via the kind of foods you intake because you prep and make your own.
Learn To Draw/Paint
If you’ve always had an artistic flair but could not pursue it for some other passions like your career, taking it up as a hobby is a good decision. If you’re a visual person, learning to draw and/or paint will allow you to express your artistic side and you’ll have a lot of fun as well. There are so many mediums to choose from: paper, canvas, easel, and even mugs. Do what feels right for you the most.
If you’re not the drawing type but you’ve adored painting, you can do that too. You can paint pre-made pieces or even buy an adult coloring book. The beauty of coloring books is that you can easily acquire them anywhere and there is a lot to choose from.
Read
The great thing about reading is that you don’t need to take classes in order to be able to do it. It is one of the cheapest but beneficial hobbies out there. You can also take a book anywhere with you so whether you’re in transit or on a vacation or just at home, you can pick up your book and start or continue where you left off.
Reading allows you to learn new things and/or immerse you in fantastical lands, creatures, and characters. You get to use your imagination to escape reality between the pages of the book like a portable and cheap time machine. Another option you have is to listen to audiobooks or podcasts, they’re just the same as reading but they leave your hands free to do anything. You can listen to audiobooks during joy rides, plane travel, and basically anywhere.
Try Locksport
Lock picking is a hobby that involves overcoming locking systems. Before pursuing locksport, know about the laws in your state because you may need a license to use a particular lock pick set or it may be illegal to own one unless you’re a locksmith or a security professional. Contrary to popular belief, lock picking is difficult but a lot of hobbyists benefit from it. It may require a bit of investment in time, effort, and even money but it can be incredibly rewarding once you’ve successfully picked your first lock.
Take Up Exercising
Exercising is a good use of your free time because it’s good for the overall health. Apart from being a hobby, it should also be a habit because it will improve your physical and mental well-being compared to doing nothing at all. You don’t have to go to the gym if you don’t want to or if you find them expensive but know that there are low-cost packages available out there.
If you prefer outdoor exercises, you can always take up hiking, running, or walking. It’s considerably cheaper and you get to explore your surroundings as well. You can also do yoga if you want to just stay at home.
Learn How to Take Photos
Perhaps photography is not the cheapest hobby out there but you can definitely learn about it on your own. If you’ve always been an avid Instagrammer or you like to capture sceneries on your old beat up smartphone, then perhaps this is the chance for you to pursue photography as a hobby. Besides, if you get good at it, you can always use it as a way to get some gigs here and there.
The first problem to overcome with photography is to choose the best starter camera to have. Fortunately, there are a lot of forums and discussion threads that welcome amateur photographs so you’ll have support there. Online resources for how to take photos and how to use the manual mode of your chosen camera are also plenty.
Do What Makes You Happy
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what kind of hobby you take up. Whether it’s expensive like collecting vintage watches, or something cheap and free like nature hiking, what matters most is that you enjoy doing it. After all, you shouldn’t force yourself to like something if you’re not really into it.
What hobbies did you learn on your own? Share your thoughts and advice below.
