Whether you’re a parent of elementary-age children, child-free, or a graduate just entering the workforce, hobbies can bring a sense of purpose and enjoyment. Here’s what our staff has to say about hobbies for adults.
It’s no joke and no cliche — life really does move fast. I can remember starting my undergraduate studies like it was yesterday when, in fact, it was nearly 5 years ago.
If you’re keeping up with the math, yes, that means I graduated from college only about a year ago.
Going from “student” to “employee” was a sudden and jolting transition. And I, maybe not unlike many others in my age bracket, felt (and still feel) a little lost.
The weekends, evenings, and late nights — whenever I wasn’t in class — I had previously devoted to schoolwork were mine again. At first, I struggled with finding ways to fill them.
I mean, what am I to do instead of cramming — I mean thoroughly studying — for exams or working on the never-ending stream of pre-lecture quizzes?
As it turns out, turning back to my hobbies is the answer. While my hobbies include many of what you may consider “the classics” — reading, drawing, painting, playing an instrument — how you define a hobby is, ultimately, up to you.
On an ideal day, if you had zero obligations, and I mean zero, how would you spend your time?
If you’re stuck on getting back into the hobby groove during adulthood, start by reading what our staff has to say for inspiration (and they have a lot to say!).
Health and wellness touch everyone’s lives differently. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Healthline Media. All quotes are strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
People change, and so can your hobbies. If your older hobbies aren’t bringing that much-needed spark to your life like they used to, consider picking up a new one (or several).
It’s OK if you won’t be great right off the bat — it’ll be a learning curve. Wanting to see your improvement over time might just keep you coming back to it.
Roller skating
“I’m always open to trying new things. I recently went roller skating for the first time with my first pair of skates, so if I’m not scarred after falling nonstop, that’ll (hopefully) become one of my new go-to hobbies that doubles as a form of exercise.
“But my two constant hobbies have been playing video games and thrifting. Gaming has brought me so much joy since childhood, and it’s still a great way to have fun, immerse myself in an alternate world, stimulate my brain, and connect with friends as an adult. I also visit multiple thrift stores per week, usually after work or on the weekends.” — Morgan Mandriota, newsletter editor
Rock climbing, rollerblading, and hiking
“I’ve started to rock climb, and I’m hooked! I’ve found my environment has actually pushed me to have more physical hobbies like hiking and rollerblading as well. This has also helped me find friends in different communities and get outside my usual comfort zone.
“I tried these activities when I was younger, but I’ve grown to really love them now in my 30s! I like that it shows me there’s always time to try something new or try something again.” — Bailey Mariner, senior visual designer
Maybe you’re satisfied with the hobbies that you’ve brought from your childhood into adulthood, like Ginger and Louisa.
Surfing
“I’m very fortunate to have a hobby that I love — surfing — and a flexible enough lifestyle to do it multiple times a week. I grew up surfing, and I took it for granted for a long time.
“As an adult, I feel so much gratitude for the richness and joy that having this lifelong hobby has afforded me.” — Ginger Wojcik, newsletter editor
Ballet and swimming
“I took up ballet at the age of 36 years, after I had a frozen back and realized that I needed to move my body more. Going to the gym felt boring, so I rekindled this childhood hobby. I continued for another dozen years and even got to perform on stage.
“Recently, I picked up swimming due to another physical ailment — carpal tunnel syndrome. Learning how to swim had been a goal ever since I had a near-drowning incident at age 12. After half a year, and at 53, I’ve finally overcome my water phobia and enjoy doing laps at the pool. My carpal tunnel syndrome has also improved!” — Louisa Wah, editor
Your hobbies shouldn’t feel like another task you need to do. They should allow you to fully and freely immerse yourself in whatever brings you joy.
Do you read a lot for your job and find that you need a break from doing it as a hobby? If yes, then you’re not so different from Siobhan.
LEGO and crafting
“When I was younger, my top hobby used to be reading, but when it became my job, I wanted a break from written words. My top hobbies now are building LEGO, needlecraft (bargello and cross stitch), and playing/collecting board games. I try to keep some in each room so they’re handy if I have a free moment and need a screen break. (Singing follows closely behind all of these, though it requires much more regular scheduling and practice!)
“I’m grateful for the time I have to dedicate to these as they bring me outward joy (I give many crafts away as gifts and love having an excuse to see friends to play games) and internal peace when I take extra time to focus and use a creative part of my brain I rarely dive into. LEGO can be one of the most mindful activities there is!” — Siobhan Deremer, editorial director
Hand sculpting
“I picked up pottery a couple of years ago. I started out throwing on a wheel, but the level of precision required stressed me out, so I switched to hand sculpting.
“It’s messy, imperfect, and completely falls apart sometimes, which makes it a wonderful break from being an adult. There’s something very soothing about having an outlet where you can make countless mistakes and messes without consequences.” — Kelly Morrell, managing editor
Finding calm in instruction
“As a working mom with a busy 10-year-old, it’s been more important than ever for me to make room for hobbies. I grew up feeling a lot of pressure to accomplish, accomplish, accomplish, but now I want to set a good example for my son to create balance in his life and show him it’s OK to spend time on activities simply because you enjoy them.
“I find calm in hobbies that have clear rules and instructions — paint by number, coloring, LEGO, cross-stitch — so I can get into a flow. These activities also keep my hands busy, so I’m less likely to reach for my phone simply out of habit.” — Chrissie Moore, editorial director
Who says you have to stick with one hobby year-round? Certainly not us.
Aligning your hobbies with the seasons can be a good idea if you tire of only participating in the same hobby or hobbies. It can also provide a much-needed breath of fresh air from heavy subjects, which is why Kristen leans into hers.
Using your hands
“My hobbies ebb and flow depending on the time of year. Due to current events, I’m strongly leaning into my hobbies and exploring new ones — crocheting, cross stitching, playing games on my Nintendo Switch, reading, hand-building pottery — to name a few!” — Kristen Hom, photo editor
Keeping up with sports
“My hobbies change based on my interests and the time of year. Those that remain are following my favorite sports teams, playing in a women’s recreational softball league every spring and fall, journaling, and creating art (usually painting or printmaking).” — Samantha Costa, editor
Parenthood can be a busy time in your life. But you don’t have to forgo your hobbies to spend time with your children.
Instead, try to find common interests or something new to do with them — some can even double as a solo hobby. Megan uses this strategy with her family.
“Rock climbing is something I discovered as a middle-aged adult. I had always wanted to try it but wasn’t sure how to begin. A climbing gym opened up near my home, and after doing a trial visit, I was hooked. Now, I go before work a couple of times a week. My son is also into climbing, and we’ll go climbing together on Sundays and sometimes over school holidays.
“As a mom, finding hobbies I can share with my kids helps create bonding moments and makes it easier to find the time for the hobby. But, I love that I can also do this solo, meaning I can find moments that are just for me, too.” — Megan Severs, senior editorial director
For those of you who are creatives (and even those who aren’t), there really is no end to creativity. Naomi demonstrates this by dabbling in a little bit of a lot of things.
“I’m thankful to have many hobbies, including reading and book collecting (and creating content on bookstagram), writing fiction, botanical perfumery, metalsmithing and jewelry making, sometimes baking, gardening, and painting.
“I get a lot of inspiration from spending time in nature for the various art I make. I’m grateful to have the freedom to try and pursue new creative things.” — Naomi Farr, copy editor
Hobbies aren’t just something to fill your free time with. They have real physical and mental health benefits (and sometimes both), depending on your choice.
According to
- negatively associated with depressive symptoms
- positively associated with self-reported health
- positively associated with happiness
- positively associated with life satisfaction
If your hobby is a physical one, it’ll have all the benefits of physical activity,
- preventing high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity
- improved brain health and function
- better sleep
Want to turn a hobby into a habit?
Consider signing up for our newsletter series, “New Habits, New You.”