Discover the Perfect Hobby With These 3 Simple Steps

If you’re constantly feeling bored and unfulfilled in life, it might be because you need a hobby! Not just any hobby too, but one that matches your interests and really reflects you as an individual. 

I was the QUEEN of waiting for the weekend to enjoy life. Every day after work, I would eat, chill, scroll down social media, and overall, nothing special. I would save the fun stuff for the weekend, but it meant that on weekdays I was just sooo bored.

I decided that I needed something to look forward to after work so that my happiness wasn’t solely reliant on the weekend. That’s when I began my journey towards finding the perfect hobby! Here are the three simple steps I took that you can follow too!

Step 1: Write your list of potential hobbies

There are so many different ways you can go about creating this list. I began by searching for different hobby ideas on Google, and writing down any suggestions that would potentially be a good fit.

Think about how you would describe yourself as an individual, and use these descriptive words to make your search more specific to your interests. For example, if you love to indulge in creative projects, search for “hobbies for creative people.” Or, if you’re a food lover, search for “hobbies for foodies.” 

You can also use your social media timelines for inspiration. For example, if you always have “make money online” videos coming up on your IG timeline, it’s because you’ve shown a lot of interest in this niche. That’s your sign to add some money making hobbies to your list. 

Or, if you often find yourself watching YouTube videos on a particular topic, have a think about whether there’s a hobby opportunity linked to this. 

A few other areas of consideration include your childhood interests and your current curiosities. Are there any activities that you really enjoyed as a child that you’d like to give another try? Or are there specific activities you’ve been curious to try for a long time now but never got around to? Add all these potential hobby ideas to your list!

Hobby Ideas To Help You Get Started

Step 2: Cross off any hobbies that currently aren’t practical 

Now that you have a list of potential hobbies, it’s time to consider the practicality of each one and narrow the list down. Here are the key questions I asked myself: 

1. Can I afford this hobby? Think about what the initial costs are to start this hobby and whether there are any ongoing expenses associated.
2. Am I in the right location for this hobby? Think about the facilities or spaces you’ll need access to (e.g., a studio, a garden, or a beach) and whether there are local clubs, groups, or classes that can support this hobby (if required).
3. Does this hobby require a specific skill level or previous experience? Think about whether there are resources available to help you get started and develop your skills (e.g., tutorials, mentors, or books) and evaluate your willingness to invest the time and effort required to learn or improve at this skill.
4. Am I comfortable with the mental and physical demands this hobby will place on me? Think about whether this hobby will help you relax and de-stress, and evaluate whether the level of concentration and effort aligns with your ultimate preferences. 
5. Does this hobby match my social preferences as an introvert (or extrovert, or an ambivert?) Think about whether this hobby can be done alone or while socialising too, and if there are opportunities to meet new people and build new relationships (if that is something you’d like to do).
6. Can I see myself doing this hobby for the long term? Think about whether this hobby offers opportunities for growth and advancement and if you think it will remain engaging and challenging over time.

Cross off any hobbies that no longer seem practical, and then you’re ready for the final stage!

Step 3: Sample the remaining hobbies to refine your list even further 

It’s time for my favourite part – exploring each hobby first hand!

Look for events or classes that offer beginner sessions linked to your potential new hobby. Eventbrite is a great place to begin your search and is often also an opportunity to meet people with similar interests as you (should you consider this a perk). Alternatively, you can find events and classes online that are linked to your potential hobby and search for free beginner courses on online platforms like YouTube and Udemy. 

Depending on the type of hobby, there may also be DIY kits for your hobby available to purchase online. This will be particularly useful if there aren’t any beginner classes or events available in your area or if you’d simply prefer to test all your hobbies in the comfort of your home. There may also be books on the topic or other resources you can purchase online that will help you do a deep dive.

As you sample each hobby, pay attention to how enjoyable you found each experience and continue to cross off hobbies from your list that you no longer think are a good fit. Once you’ve sampled your entire list, there should (hopefully) be a clear winner. If not, perhaps go ahead with the hobby you look forward to doing again the most and gradually integrate more hobbies into your life later. 

Bonus Step: Commit

Now that you’ve found the perfect hobby, it’s time to commit! Set realistic goals for how many hours per day, week, or month you will dedicate to your new hobby, and create a schedule that reflects this. Consistency is key to fully enjoying and benefiting from your new hobby, so making it a regular part of your life is very important!

Remember to join any groups or communities that can help you gain inspiration, connect with like-minded people, and stay motivated. I also began following social media influencers linked to my new hobby, as they often provided inspiration, good advice, encouragement, and ultimately helped me stay committed.