There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
Do you ever feel like your weekly routine gets a bit… monotonous? Repetitious? And maybe not as fun or challenging as it once was?
Of course, we all get into our predictable weekly routines that essentially define our lives. But what do you think about doing activities outside of work (and home) that you not only enjoy doing, but could also contribute to your success in other areas of your life?
There are a ton of benefits to having a hobby, ranging from mental and physical to possibly even financial. Spending time doing something that you enjoy that isn’t work-related will help you be more satisfied with life, especially if what you’re doing is only for your own personal benefit.
This increased feeling of happiness in life can overflow to benefit your relationships and your performance at work.
How to Select a Hobby
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re considering starting a new hobby. Consider the following:
This isn’t to say you should limit yourself–you may actually end up surprising yourself by loving something that you’ve never been interested in before. So, keep an open mind, but also consider the other factors in your life so you can find a good fit.
So let’s take a look at 65 fun hobbies that any woman could take up.
65 Fun Hobbies for Women of All Ages
1. Create Vision Boards
Creating and maintaining a vision board is something we talk about a lot on here because of how much it can benefit you in all areas of your life. Your vision board will give you a daily reminder of your long term goals and a tangible, visual source of inspiration to work toward them.
If you’re new to this, here are instructions on how to make a vision board and here are some templates you can follow.
And, once you get really into it, you can start to plan a vision board party!
Resource: These are all great resources to use for making a vision board.
2. Read
We’ve stressed the benefits of reading in the past, which is certainly something I wish I had more time to do. And it seems like I’m not alone.
As the number of Americans who read for pleasure has hugely decreased since 2004, going from about 28% of the adult population reading for pleasure on a regular basis back then versus about 19% today, with the average amount of time spent reading per day is just 15 minutes.
This is a great hobby because you can take it on-the-go and easily pick up wherever you’ve left off.
Resource: Here are some tips on how to read faster and how to read and retain information better.
3. Sing
It’s ok if you’re not confident in your singing. You can learn how to sing! If it’s something that you enjoy doing, join a volunteer choir or sign up for voice lessons to finetune your skills. There are actually a lot of benefits to singing, including:
Resource: To help improve your singing, you will also need to improve your lung capacity. Check out some tips on how to do so here.
4. Upcycle
Not only are there environmental benefits to upcycling, you can also gain personal benefits by creating brand new things from items that may otherwise end up in a dumpster.
So, aside from minimizing landfill waste, you’re also reducing the need for the production of new things (which leads to a reduction in pollution, carbon emissions, etc.)
This is definitely a hobby that could turn a profit as well. Updating old furniture is a popular way to add unique pieces to home decor and people definitely are looking for cool things to add to their homes. You can sell your things on Facebook Marketplace or even at a local farmer’s market.
Resource: Here are some really great upcycling ideas.
5. Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and make you feel good about yourself. Volunteering for a cause that you’re passionate about can also help you meet like-minded people and could potentially open the door for some future job opportunities.
By interacting with people in your community, you can help fight symptoms of depression and loneliness–plus, it can help give you a sense of purpose if you feel like you’ve lost your “why” in life lately.
Resource: Find opportunities in your city to volunteer on this website.
6. Run
If you’re one of those people who think that running just isn’t for you…there is a good chance you’re wrong! You may assume the opposite, but running can be relaxing and it can definitely be a stress reliever.
Running will help you strengthen your muscles, build endurance, and maintain a healthy weight. You will also be benefiting your heart health as you run, which is crucial because heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
Resource: If you’re just starting out, try a Couch to 5K program.
7. Or Walk
There are also many benefits to walking, so don’t feel pressured to run if that really isn’t your thing. You can walk for longer than if you were to go out for a run because it requires less intensity and endurance, but the more you do it, the more fit you will become.
And, because walking is super accessible (just grab the right pair of shoes and go), there isn’t really a barrier keeping you from starting this habit.
Walking can reduce stress and can also be a social hobby if you grab a friend who also wants to get some fresh air.
If you prefer to walk alone, this may be a good time to listen to your favorite podcasts or practice walking meditation. If you need to, you can break up a long walk into two shorter walks during the day to gain the same benefits.
Resource: If you want to use walking for weight loss, follow these tips to lose a pound per week.
8. Start a Book Club
Take a break from online communities and get together with your friends in person with a purpose.
Getting a group together with a common goal on a regular basis for something aside from going to brunch can be stimulating for your mind, interesting, and social all at the same time. Plus, reading is super important.
Reach out to some of your friends who share your interests and take a poll of what they may want to read. Once you decide on a book, create a meeting schedule, grab some wine and snacks, and discuss everyone’s take on the book.
Resource: Here are 8 things you should think about before starting a book club. If you’re looking for other activities to do as a group, check out our list of women’s group activities.
9. Draw in Adult Coloring Books
Adult coloring books (also known as…coloring books…) allow you to create art without having the pressure of starting from scratch. Choosing your colors and just coloring in the lines is a great way to focus and relax. Working on coloring books can also help with a variety of emotional and mental health issues.
Many who suffer from stress and depression are triggered by boredom and a lack of structure. However, the focus that it takes to color helps take one’s mind off of negative issues and redirects their thinking in a more productive way. The process of acting and doing (rather than sitting back and watching) is an effective way to deter yourself from focusing on emotional turmoil.
This is a great hobby for those who suffer from anxiety, because focusing on harmless coloring is a calming activity that can put your fight or flight response to rest and allow you to relax while engaging in a safe activity. Focusing on coloring can replace negative thoughts from entering your mind.
Resource: Here are some of the best coloring books on the market for reducing stress.
10. Start a Blog
What is a topic that you have some expertise in or what really interests you? Interior design? Upcycling furniture? Parenting? Book reviews?
Whatever your niche is, you can share your experience, opinions, and knowledge with the world by creating a blog. By doing this, you can also get feedback from your readers through comments, which can help you learn something new in return.
Blogging also has the potential to generate some income if you allow companies to advertise their products on your blog, which is an added benefit.
11. Go Camping
I know some families who go camping with their kids on a regular basis and love it. I’m not saying this is for me, but considering how popular it is, there’s a good chance it could be for you. And, go figure, there are a ton of health benefits that you can get from spending this time in nature.
Camping can reduce clinical depression by offering you a form of exercising that’s completely disconnected from your work life. All you need is some camping and hiking gear and supplies and you will be ready to face the great outdoors.
Get your friends together for your trip so you can sit around the campfire, bond, laugh, make s’mores, and create memories.
Resource: Here are some good tips to help get you started.
12. Join a Sports Team
I know several people who have found local sports leagues to become involved with. It’s a great way to meet new people, get some exercise, and engage in some friendly competition.
I know softball and kickball are popular for this type of activity, but there are also tennis, soccer, bowling, basketball, and endless other options for sports leagues out there.
Combining socializing with being outside and getting exercise is a pretty ideal hobby.
Resource: This website allows you to put in your city to find a sports league of your choice.
13. Geocaching
This active outdoor hobby involves using a GPS to hide and find treasures (“geocaches”) in specific areas that are marked by coordinates all over the world. In its simplest form, geocaching requires:
- Signing up for your free membership
- Going to the “Hide & Seek a Cache” page on the website and entering your zip code into the search
- Picking a geocache from the list that populates
- Putting the coordinates that are given into your GPS and going out to find the geocache
- Signing the logbook and putting the geocache back
- Sharing your experience online
A typical cache is a waterproof container that contains a logbook in it for each person who finds it to sign. The caches have little treasures in them such as books or small trinkets.
People enjoy this hobby for a variety of reasons, such as having the opportunity to explore new places, meeting new people who also geocache, getting some exercise outdoors, and finding a hidden treasure.
Resource: Here is the full guide to geocaching.
14. Can Your Food
Canning food has recently increased in popularity with COVID-19 and the survivalist movement that’s been taking place. Canning food is an effective way to ensure you have an emergency food supply and to preserve some produce that you’ve overgrown and don’t want to waste.
Canning is an inexpensive hobby that is easy to start.
Resource: This video walks you through the process of preserving food through canning.
15. Learn a New Language
I know this is a hobby that I would love to focus on. Learning a new language will challenge your brain in new ways while also helping you learn about a different culture.
While this may be a time consuming hobby, you don’t have to put a deadline on it and it will be worth the effort in the end. Plus, it will allow you to communicate with others that you would otherwise never interact with because of your language barrier.
And, interestingly enough, studying a foreign language will improve your knowledge of your own language because it will help increase your English vocabulary skills. You will start to notice the interrelation of different languages, and how many languages use the same base for words.
Resource: The best place to turn for your first lesson in a new language is the internet. Check out Rocket Languages, an app in which you can choose from a selection of languages you want to learn, and then sign up for a free trial where you can receive a few sample lessons.
16. Learn About Investing
This is important to do at all ages so you can have a handle on your finances and take control of your financial well-being. Also, learning about investing can hugely benefit you in the long run if you make it into an enjoyable hobby.
Learn how to set yourself up for financial success and be financially independent by learning about the best ways to invest or save your earnings.
While this might sound boring if it’s not up your alley, once you start to learn about investing, you will definitely find it to be a challenge and hopefully you’ll find it to be satisfying as well. There are also podcasts about personal finance that may be easier to get into if you would rather listen than read.
Resource: Here is a quick “how to” for investing in stocks. And if you want read further on the subject, here’s a list of the best books on investing.
17. Write a Book
How cool would it be to have your name on a published book?
It’s easier now than ever to become a published author because you don’t have to rely on a big publishing company to accept your work.
You can relay your message on whatever subject is especially important to you–and it will end up in a tangible format that you can keep forever and can be passed on for ages. You can also express your creativity as you’re sharing your thoughts with others.
By self-publishing your book, you can take control of the process. Take your time and write a few hundred words each day until you’re satisfied with your work. Once you get into it, it will probably go a lot faster than you think.
Resource: Here is a website that will walk you through self-publishing a book.
18. Learn Self Defense
It is becoming increasingly important to know how to defend yourself in our troubling times. To ensure your own safety, you should be armed with techniques and skills to escape a potentially harmful attack.
Martial arts is a common form of self defense, as it’s designed to help people systematically defend themselves rather than fight back.
Learning self-defense will also help you improve your self-esteem, self-confidence, and gain awareness. Knowing self defense will help you make smart choices about the situations you allow yourself to be in, reducing your chances of becoming a victim of a crime.
Need some empowering words? Check out this collection of strong woman quotes.
Resource: Here are some self-defense moves that all women should know.
19. Discover Documentaries
I can’t count the number of times I have gotten completely lost in a documentary. There are so many outstanding documentaries out there on Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, HBO, etc that are interesting, educational, entertaining, and even downright scary.
Start by watching Three Identical Strangers because it is the best hour and 36 minutes you will ever spend, and then research your favorite genres and make a list of all of the documentaries that interest you. This may end up being the hobby that you most look forward to!
Resource: Here is a list of some of the best documentaries of all time (and yes, Three Identical Strangers made the list). There are also many documentaries available on Youtube.
20. Do Some Re-Sale
I recently met a new friend and went to her house for the first time and there were books…everywhere. Like, stacks of books in the living room, dining room, on the porch—just everywhere. So, of course, I said, ”uh, what’s the deal with the books…?”
Well, it turns out her husband finds books that are either free or really low-priced at flea markets and then he turns around and sells them online. She said that he will only get about $10 for some, but others have gone for $50, and it adds up over time.
If books aren’t your thing, go through your closet and find those gently used clothes that you don’t wear anymore and try to make a buck by selling them online. Even if you only make a few dollars, you will still be decluttering your living space.
Resource: Here is a good reselling 101 resource.
21. Do a Giant Jigsaw Puzzle
It’s easy to forget about puzzles with all of the digital distractions we have, but I personally love doing jigsaw puzzles. And of course there are some cognitive benefits to doing them, including:
Resource: Here are Amazon’s best sellers.
22. Learn About Your Genealogy
Learning about where your family came from and tracing your roots is a satisfying hobby that you can share with other members of your family. This can also help serve future generations for many years to come.
To learn about your genealogy, you just need some good research skills, the ability to organize information, and enough curiosity to keep you motivated. Doing this will help you understand your history a bit better.
Resource: Here are the steps you need to take to create your own genealogy.
23. Couponing
No one minds saving a bit of money here and there. Couponing is a fun hobby that can save you a ton of money if you play your cards right. This might be the right hobby for you if you love finding great deals.
If you get really into couponing, you can start figuring out how much an item typically costs, where you can find the best deal, and how much to stock up on to last you until the next sale.
Resource: Check out this video on couponing for beginners.
24. Flower Arranging
Studies have shown that flowers have a strong impact on one’s mental wellbeing and immediate happiness. So what could be better than spending time around flowers yourself and making arrangements that can make other people happy as well?
Flower arrangements make great gifts for other people and they’re perfect for decorating your own home.
Resource: Here is how to make a flower arrangement under $15.
25. Get Into Pottery
One reason that pottery is regaining its popularity is because it’s a sustainable way to express your creativity in our wasteful society. Pottery involves focus, precision, and patience, as just one slip up could turn your creation back into a pile of mud.
However, doing pottery literally forces you to stay off of your phone while you concentrate on this creation that ends up being something functional in your life–such as a vase or a mug. And the creativity options are endless.
Resource: Here is the ultimate guide to pottery.
26. Play Tennis
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m awful at tennis, but I love playing it anyway and it’s great exercise. Playing tennis is a good way to socialize, work on your physical stamina and hand/eye coordination—and, there are a lot of pretty cute tennis outfits to wear out there.
Even if your coordination is about as good as mine is (so, not at all), don’t let playing tennis be intimidating, just try it!
Resource: This video will teach you how to play tennis in ten minutes.
27. Start an Organizing Routine
If you want to get yourself organized and get rid of clutter, make a system for your cleaning processes, and organize any things in your house that don’t have a “home.”
Gather some supplies to declutter your living space. Doing so will help reduce your everyday stress and feelings of being overwhelmed with “things.” When your living and working space is neat and organized, you will feel more peace of mind as you move through your day.
Resource: Use this simple guide to create an organizing hobby.
28. Take a Class
There are a lot of opportunities to learn online–and many of them cost nothing. You can learn just about anything you want through online sites such as Coursera and Udemy.
Embrace lifelong learning by learning about things like self-improvement, business, nutrition, financial markets, psychology, money management, meditation, and tons of other things.
If online learning isn’t your thing, look into the classes that they offer at your local community college and see what you have to do to sign up for any that interest you.
Resource: Here are some tips for taking online classes.
29. Candle Making
If you like decorating, and you like essential oils, you will love making candles. (If you’re new to essential oils, here are 17 great options to use for a candle that you keep at your desk, as they help with focus and concentration). You only need some basic supplies to make candles, and you can pick them up at pretty much any craft store.
Decorating candles can be very relaxing as you express your creativity through various colors and scents. Furthermore, these make perfect gifts, so it can help save you money in the long run.
Resource: Here is a beginner’s guide to making scented candles
30. Pet Sit
If you love dogs and cats but can’t have your own for whatever reason (maybe you work or travel too much or your apartment building doesn’t allow pets), get into pet sitting as a hobby so you can still spend time with some furry friends.
Pet sitting involves caring for someone’s pet in their home while the owner is out of town. People also consider dog walking to be a form of pet sitting because it entails going to a pet owner’s home to give their pet exercise and attention.
There are a lot of advantages to getting a pet sitter, so they are in high demand. These include:
This is also a great way to earn some extra income on the side.
Resource: Here is a great website that can help you start your pet sitting business.
31. Become a Tutor
One way you can be more altruistic is by focusing some of your time on the education system and offering your knowledge to tutoring a student. Tutors help students of all ages advance their education, refine their skills, and be more successful in a subject of their choice.
A lot of elementary schools welcome volunteer tutors to help students during lunch–especially with reading. Doing this can allow you to be a mentor to a child while also helping them excel academically.
Tutoring is a rewarding and flexible hobby because you’ll be making a positive difference in a student’s life. Whether you’re helping children or adults, the individual educational support that you give can empower them to live up to their full potential.
Resource: Here are some guidelines to becoming a tutor.
32. Study Philosophy
Studying philosophy is very interesting because it allows you to use both logic and reasoning to try to understand how people (including yourself) perceive life and the world.
Reading what other philosophers have come up with helps you exercise your critical thinking skills and decide what you believe to be true.
Different areas of philosophy can be determined by the questions that are asked Philosophy teaches the ways in which we might start to answer these, offering insight into ourselves and our life’s purpose.
Resource: Here is a good starting guide to studying philosophy.
Get involved in your community in a different way by attending various events, networking, and getting to know the people who live in your neighborhood.
Look at your community’s website (and the websites of towns nearby) or look on Facebook to find a list of events going on in your area, many of which are free. You may be surprised to see how many different activities are going on around you.
Resource: This website helps you find things that are going on around you.
34. Practice Stand-Up Comedy
Doing stand-up comedy is a way to engage in joyous communication with others–making them feel what you feel (either positive or negative) while expecting to ultimately end up with a good laugh.
This style of entertainment is a good one to practice because even if you aren’t up on a stage, you can use your knowledge of comedy when talking to people on an everyday basis.
There are probably a variety of comedy clubs in your area that welcome amateur stand-up performers. Check them out, and even if you don’t perform on the first night, you can get used to the atmosphere.
Resource: Here is a beginner’s class to learn stand-up comedy
35. Biking
Biking is a rewarding hobby because aside from being great exercise, it allows you to explore whatever area you’re in.
Many people opt to ride a bike to work instead of driving to get in some exercise or to help save the environment, and unlike some more expensive gym classes, once you have a bike, it is free to enjoy.
You can build stamina through riding your bike and go on exhilarating adventures that are unique from traditional workouts. Plus, with the availability of GPS, you can plot your course and pick a route that suits your individual skill level as well.
Resource: Here is some advice on riding a bike as an adult.
36. Bowling
You can join a league and make some new friends or just practice on your own, but either way, bowling is a great pastime. There are a lot of reasons why bowling is a unique and exciting hobby.
Firstly, it’s inexpensive and there’s a low barrier to entry, as you don’t need to buy any special equipment to play. People of any age can bowl–even young children can enjoy this hobby by using bumpers.
And, you don’t have to worry if your aim is a bit off– with practice, you will get the hang of it and the feeling you get when you finally get a strike will be amazing.
Resource: Here are some basic bowling techniques.
37. Wine Tasting
Wine tasting is a great option for a more refined experience if you appreciate different varieties of wine and their histories.
Going wine tasting allows you to visit beautiful, open fields where temperatures are pleasant and humidity is low, which is an ideal environment for the grapes to grow that go into creating unique wines.
Wine tasting tours last for a few hours and give you an opportunity to taste rare blends that you may not get to experience otherwise.
You can also do wine tasting locally by attending wine tasting sessions at local stores. Or, set up a wine tasting experience for yourself and your friends by getting together and each bringing a bottle or two of wine for everyone to taste and talk about.
Resource: How to develop your palate for tasting wine.
38. Learn Choreography
If you’re like me, you spent a lot of your childhood years trying to imitate the choreography that was on music videos on MTV and VH1. Then the best part was then getting together with friends to perform the routines together.
And I’m willing to bet that you had a group of 5 in which you were labeled one of the Spice Girls (I was Baby Spice).
Just like doing this in your childhood was fun, it can still be fun today. It’s challenging and helps you get out some pent-up energy because it’s a great workout.
Whether or not you have girlfriends who want to mess around with choreography like you did in the olden days, this can be a fun and expressive hobby. Plus, once you’ve learned something, you can put it on TikTok to show off your new moves.
Resource: Here is a video that teaches you how to learn choreography fast.
39. Golf
Golfing isn’t just for men, and seeing as a lot of executive business decisions are made on the golf course, it’s important for women to get in on this hobby as well. Plus, playing golf allows you to get more exercise than you probably think, especially if you walk the course.
You can make a lot of new connections while golfing–both personal and professional–and you can participate in golfing events that are often held as fundraisers.
Golfing definitely requires some skill, so you can continue to challenge yourself to improve. This is also an activity that you can do with your whole family, as a lot of children enjoy the feeling of victory when they’re able to putt the ball into the hole.
Resource: Check out the basics on how to play golf.
40. Play Video Games
This is usually something that is labelled as a hobby for guys, but escaping reality by playing video games can also be a source of stress relief for women. Even Forbes says so.
Resource: Forbes’ top 15 video games for women.
41. Swim
Swimming is a great hobby because you get a full-body workout as you move your entire body against the resistance of water. Swimming can:
Plus, it’s super relaxing to just float through the water.
Resource: Here are some tips on learning how to swim in your adult years.
42. Make Bread
Fresh, warm, homemade bread right out of the oven is the BEST. And, if you can deliver a loaf while it’s still warm to a friend, they will love you forever.
Homemade bread is completely unlike store bought bread–even if you get it from the bakery. Plus, you can experiment with different types of breadmaking and then use it for things like French toast and croutons.
Resource: Here is an easy beginners recipe for bread to get you started.
43. Interior Design
If you have the eye for decorating and matching various pieces of art, furniture, and knick-knacks, then making a hobby out of it could even turn into an extra source of income for you.
First, use your skills to redecorate your own living space and then start an instagram page (or other social media outlet) to share your talent with others. This can help get the word out to your friends and family that you’re interested in interior design and you can help create their dream rooms.
Resource: Here is a free online design class to help get you started.
44. Make Cards
Cards are getting expensive! I think my mom’s last mother’s day card was $9.99 or something close to that. And I know it would have been more meaningful to her to get a handmade card.
If you like to do arts and crafts, you can make a wide variety of cards to always have on hand so you never have to put that on your shopping list. Most of the cards out there these days are junk anyway.
Make your cards individual to your needs and say words that are coming from your heart instead of a company’s production team.
Resource: Check out these ideas on Pinterest for designing your own cards. You can also learn how to write a professional thank you card.
45. Go to Museums
If you want to find a hobby that you can do alone or with friends, checking out the museums in your area is a great choice. Try to go to one museum each month to broaden your horizons.
Doing this will help you learn about history, art, culture, nature, science, etc through exhibits and displays. Make a day out of it by adding lunch and a walk too.
Resource: Here are the best museums in your area.
46. Create a YouTube Channel
It’s amazing what some people have become famous for doing on YouTube…such as simply opening toys or videotaping their everyday lives.
If you have a certain skill (like cooking, or fixing appliances) that you can create “how to” videos on, you could help a lot of people while also engaging in one of your passions.
You may just become the next YouTube sensation…
Resource: Here is how you can create a YouTube channel.
47. Record an Audiobook
With the increase of people who are listening to books instead of reading them, there is a greater need for voice talent to record books. You can turn this demand into a fun hobby (and possibly make some money) if you have a pleasant voice and you enjoy reading!
Resource: Here is a step-by-step process to recording an audiobook.
48. Host Game Nights
Get your friends together for a fun and unique way to socialize with each other without having to spend a ton of money on going out!
Living this shared experience with friends helps create a bond that’s deeper than you can get by sharing a cup of coffee. During game nights, you learn together, you laugh, you compete, and you get out of your comfort zones together.
This is a great hobby to start with your friends to strengthen your bond in a memorable way.
Resource: Here are some game night ideas to keep in mind for your next party.
49. Learn About Astrology
As a system, astrology has its own logic. It’s the study of how the position of everything in the universe at the time of your birth impacts various aspects of your life, like your career, personality, and relationships.
The study of astrology has gained a lot of popularity lately, especially with the ease of access to information online.
There’s a low barrier to entry to starting this hobby, and nearly endless amounts of information to dive into if you end up falling down a research hole.
With a little studying, you can learn about your own astrological chart–and analyze any truths that you may find in it–and help other people understand this practice for themselves as well.
Resource: Here are some free astrology lessons.
50. Read Self-Improvement Books
We can always improve ourselves in some way. Reading self-improvement books as a hobby is very rewarding because it lets you continuously learn about whatever topic that you want in order to better yourself in some way.
This inexpensive hobby is great for people of any age, despite your interests or lifestyle. Even if you just read a chapter a day, any personal development book will help inspire you to enhance your life by recognizing your strengths and eliminating any limiting beliefs you may hold about your potential.
Resource: Here are over 250 self-help books that are highly recommended, and here are 20 personal development and self improvement books that are also extremely useful.
51. Learn to Cook
Cooking is certainly a useful hobby to have, especially if you live with other people. You can make your cooking (or baking) as simple or as complicated as you want. Take some time to experiment in the kitchen to see what you like to cook, what you’re really good at making, and what other people seem to enjoy.
Cooking is practical, but also creative and can be artistic. Cooking combines art and science to create an end product to nourish your body. And that’s pretty cool if you think about it.
Learning to cook can help you become acquainted with and understand different cultures and customs better, in addition to learning life skills surrounding eating healthy, creating and sticking to a food budget, and cleaning up after yourself.
Resource: Here are some basic skills that every new chef should know.
52. Exercise Your Brain
You need to exercise your brain just as much as you do your body so you can maintain your cognitive fitness.
Brain training and actively working to boost your intelligence encourages mental stimulation and neuroplasticity, which means your brain will continue to create new neural connections throughout your life.
With this continuous improvement in brain function, the nerve cells in your brain will be more equipped to compensate in the case of a brain injury or disease and to properly adapt their response to new conditions or changes in your environment.
Resource: Take up a hobby of playing brain games to keep your cognitive functioning astute.
53. Start Sewing
This may sound old fashioned, but learning to sew your own clothes will allow you to have a wardrobe that is perfectly tailored to your style and the shape of your body. Furthermore, you can save money on costly tailoring repairs to your existing clothes.
Sewing machines have made great strides over the years, and you would probably be impressed with the features that they offer. Even basic machines can accommodate a variety of fabrics and stitching designs, so you can still get creative if you’re on a budget.
Resource: Here is a buying guide for sewing machines.
54. Knitting
If you don’t want to deal with the potential fuss of a sewing machine, consider learning how to knit.
This is a great hobby because once you get the hang of it, you can passively knit while doing something else (like watching a movie). You can knit your own winter accessories to stay warm and make matching sets to give as gifts.
Knitting is also convenient because you can bring your current project with you anywhere you go and quickly pick up where you left off. Pull out your project while you’re sitting in a waiting room or on the subway heading to work. Knitting is convenient, versatile, and practical.
Resource: Here is the first lesson of a free beginner’s knitting class on YouTube.
55. Photography
Whether you download some fancy photography apps and use your smartphone or you invest in a professional camera, taking up photography can be a really fun hobby.
Plus, it’s practical. With photography being digital these days, you can get immediate feedback from the pictures you take through social media or by just texting a picture to a friend.
Your photography can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. But, no matter what, when you get that perfect shot, it’s always a rewarding feeling. By capturing moments as they happen, you can immortalize your life’s events.
Photography can connect you to your past, associate you with something in the present, and preserve memories without the use of words, making it an influential hobby for anyone.
Resource: Here are some tips on getting started with photography. You can also sign up for an online photography class.
56. Rescue a Pet
Rescuing a cat or dog will definitely add some responsibilities to your schedule while also giving you companionship. When you adopt, you can save a pet by making them part of your family, which also clears up space in the animal shelter for another animal who may need it.
Responsible pet ownership definitely requires time, patience, commitment, and a lot of research–so make sure you evaluate your current routine before bringing home a new buddy. For example, if you work full time, you probably don’t want to adopt an active puppy.
Resource: Here is how it works to adopt a pet from a shelter.
57. Take Up Yoga
Doing yoga has a myriad of benefits. Aside from just making you feel good, practicing the postures, breathing methods, and meditation improves both your physical and mental health. Yoga lets you get in tune with your body, calm down, get in shape.
Many people do yoga to fix whatever is ailing them. Specifically, yoga helps manage depression and anxiety, arthritis, respiratory issues, back pain, blood pressure, chronic fatigue, diabetes, cardiovascular health, MS, stress, epilepsy, and other conditions. Additionally, yoga:
Resource: Here is a video that walks you through a yoga routine for beginners.
58. Make Your Own Jewelry
Making your own jewelry helps you express your creativity and end up with a final product that you will undoubtedly love. Making your jewelry is not only stress relieving, it’s also less expensive than buying it. Plus, you can use the jewelry you make as gifts, which can cut down on those costs as well.
If you find that you really enjoy doing this, you could even start an Etsy shop to sell some of your creations. Get unique in your designs and try to come up with styles that you’ve never seen before.
Make yourself stand out from the crowd with a statement piece or two–and help others update their personal style while you’re at it!
Resource: Here is a video to help get you started with making your own jewelry.
59. Learn How to Do Calligraphy
I’ve always admired people who naturally have awesome handwriting, as there are definitely times when I go back and can’t read my own notes. Taking the extra step to learn calligraphy can help you make homemade invitations and cards that are certain to impress people.
Writing calligraphy is a great way to get some “me time” in because it forces you to slow down and focus on what you’re doing. It also lets you express your creativity through both art and writing.
Imagine you want to send a standout thank-you note after a job interview. Beautiful handwriting coupled with a high-quality envelope presentation shows your potential employer that you’re meticulous, detail-oriented, and you strive to impress people, which are great characteristics of an employee–so knowing how to do calligraphy has additional perks you may not have considered.
Resource: Get started with some basic calligraphy strokes.
60. Start a Journal
Maintaining a journal helps you process your thoughts and take the stress that is in your mind and put it on paper. There are a lot of reasons people write in journals, and you don’t have to have a specific one, but some ideas include:
Consider what is important in your life and what you want to reflect upon the most and start writing.
Resource: Here are some of the best journals on the market to start out with if you aren’t sure what you want in terms of features of your journal.
61. Collect Something
I love looking through thrift stores and some of the (less expensive) antique stores around town. If you find an item that really strikes you, start collecting similar items and display them in your home.
But be careful, it’s easy to go overboard or get carried away with collecting by buying everything that you see that is related to your collection. Only pick out the pieces that you truly love. Plan out a strategy for your antique shopping before you go, and consider bringing along a buddy to keep you accountable.
Resource: Here are some tips for buying antiques.
62. Start a Garden
By maintaining a garden, you can introduce more nutrient-dense, home grown produce to your family’s diet or you could simply add some curb appeal to your home.
Even if you live in an apartment, you can reap the benefits of growing herbs and some smaller fruits and vegetables. You may not realize the difference in taste of home grown foods than those that you buy conventionally until you try it!
Gardening is also a decent form of exercise if you have a yard, as it requires a lot of moving around. Many people find this hobby to be rewarding as they watch their seeds grow while connecting with nature.
Plus, this is a good activity that you can get your kids involved with if you want to teach them about responsibility.
Resource: Don’t think you have a green thumb? Here are some plants that are hard-to-kill.
63. Scrapbook
Sure, your memories are stored on your social media sites, but getting offline and starting a tangible scrapbook can be cathartic.
It can help you preserve the parts of your memories that you wouldn’t normally keep–like the nightly specials at the restaurant you went to while on vacation with your partner.
Keeping these smaller details is always fun to look back on later in life and it can help jog your memory of some pretty fun times.
Resource: Here is a good video on how to make your first scrapbook.
64. Dance
Dancing is a great way to stay in shape for people of any age. Not only will it strengthen your muscles, it can also increase your endurance and improve your overall fitness level. Plus, think of the balance, coordination, flexibility, and agility you can master.
Find a Zumba class or some local dance nights in your community. Or, grab your partner and take some Salsa lessons. Dancing can increase the release of endorphins in your brain and helps to get your body flowing, so it can benefit you both mentally and physically.
Resource: Here are some tips and a good beginner course for getting started with dancing.
65. Paint
Painting is a good hobby because it has a lot of psychological benefits to offer. Not only can it help cultivate creativity, psychologists have related the experience of concentrating on the process of painting to mindfulness activities like yoga and meditation.
Your age and level of talent here are irrelevant. Anyone can gain the relaxing benefits of painting and expressing their own imagination through color. You can attend a guided painting class if you want some structure, or just get some brushes and paint and go somewhere that you feel inspired to paint.
Resource: This website will help you get started.
Final Thoughts on Fun Hobbies for Women
You have a lot to choose from here, so I hope at least a few of these ideas resonated with you. The good thing about taking up a hobby is that if you end up not loving it, you can easily move on to the next one. Give some of these ideas a shot and see how they can benefit your life.
Finally, if you’re looking for other hobby ideas, check out our other posts:
Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.
Connie Stemmle
Source link
