A Young Adult’s Guide to Finding a Hobby that Interests Them

Hobbies are linked to improving mental health and a stronger cardiovascular system. That’s great news, of course, but getting into a new hobby is easier said than done, significantly when so much is changing as a young adult. What even qualifies as a hobby and how do you get started? Read below to find a hobby that interests you.

 

Look Near

 

You may already be sitting next to your first great hobby. Activities like reading, playing video games, and exercising all count. Sometimes, transforming a pastime into a hobby is just a matter of labeling, or you may want to add a social element. If you like reading, consider joining a book club or volunteering at a library. Local stores may offer hangouts for gamers. You can experiment with the world behind the scenes by getting into coding or simply leaning into a favorite niche, like 2D scrollers or indie games.

 

There are podcasts, Reddit threads, and Discord servers for everything, and they’re a great place to look for doors into a new hobby community. If you’re still stuck, but you know the type of activity that interests you (like art, sports, crafting, etc.), try Googling hobbies with those keywords. You may be surprised how many options you find.

 

Look Far

 

You don’t need any expertise or prior experience for a hobby. Ask yourself what you’re curious about. What have you always wanted to try? Maybe that’s painting. It could be creating miniature robots or elaborate cakes.

 

Collecting is a classic hobby, too. It offers constant opportunities to learn more about the things you love. Comic books, challenge coins, or Pokémon cards blend social and solo elements, and they’re just the tip of the iceberg. If you love something, you can collect it.

 

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

 

Remember, a hobby that sounds good in theory may not work in practice. A pursuit may check all boxes and still not be the right fit. That’s okay!

 

There’s always a learning curve, and most hobbies require honing new skills and mastering new tools. That takes time, and many people get frustrated in the early stages. Challenge motivates people, and conquering a project is a thrill. However, consider trying something else if you aren’t enjoying the process. You can always try again when you’re ready.

 

Keep looking, though. You’ll find the right fit with time, and you can have fun figuring out your strengths and preferences along the way. Best of all, you can have as many hobbies as you like, and it’s impossible to fail something you do for fun.

 

Respect Your Leisure Time

Picking up a hobby to earn money is never a good idea. While plenty of people transform hobbies into side hustles, starting with the goal of making a profit can kill your joy. Every day you aren’t crafting, playing, or generating a product people buy becomes a failure, and that’s not the point of a hobby. You shouldn’t have to master a hobby to enjoy it.