How to Find a Hobby? / Как найти хобби?

Building on Your Current Interests

Look at what interests you. Examine what takes up your spare time when you have it. Do you enjoy reading books? Maybe you want to try your hand at writing them.

Think about what you value most. What traits do you prize? Do you value wisdom or courage? Do you feel drawn to people who give back? Do you admire artistic expression? Let those traits guide you when choosing a hobby.

For instance, maybe you could volunteer at a library as a hobby because you value education, or maybe you could take up painting because you admire people who can express themselves with art.

Examine your skills and personality. Certain hobbies require certain skill sets.

If you don't have a great deal of patience, then maybe hand sewing isn't something you'd enjoy. However, if you love tinkering and building things, maybe you should consider a hobby like working on older cars or building furniture. Play to your strengths.

Examining Your Childhood

Think back to what you loved as a kid. Did you like to race bikes with your friends? Were you really into comic books? Did you love to paint or draw?

Think about what really got you excited as a kid and what you could spend hours doing.

Pick up where you left off. If you rode bikes, try getting a new (adult) bike and exploring your neighborhood.

Look at adult versions of what you loved. That is, if you loved comic books, try attending a comic book convention (comicon) to find people with similar interests. Maybe you loved board games as a kid. Check out the wide variety of new board games on the market, which offer options in everything from role-playing to cooperative games.

Exploring New Territory for Ideas

Visit a craft store. Wander around a craft store to see what hobbies are available. You might find something you never thought about, such as building model airplanes or learning how to work with clay.

Check out hobby websites. Certain websites are dedicated solely to exploring hobbies, and you can use them to figure out what you'd like to do with your time.

Be willing to try more than one hobby. The first one you try might not be the right fit. Don't be afraid to move on and try something else. You have a right to decide when you're not interested in something.

Say "yes." That is, don't be afraid to say "yes" to activities you normally bow out of. Maybe going to the art museum doesn't sound very exciting to you, but when your friend invites you to go, give it a try anyway. You might find a hobby you never expected to enjoy, such as painting or art restoration.