20 Hobbies You Can Start at Home—Today

Source: The Everygirl
Published and curated from The Everygirl Read More

Over the last few years, many of us got used to spending more time at home than ever before—but that doesn’t mean we still don’t go a bit stir-crazy from time to time. I now spend more time in my apartment than I ever thought possible, and with all of this time at home, I’ve been struggling to separate work from pleasure. My life has become one blue-light blob of working at my computer before winding down by scrolling through bad news and memes on my newsfeed. If you’re also looking for ways to break the doomscrolling cycle and be intentional with your “me” time, you might want to try picking up some new hobbies.

Thankfully, there are plenty of pastimes that you can do in the comfort of your own home that (brace yourself) don’t involve scrolling on Instagram. You can easily start any one of these hobbies at home today.

 

1. Learn calligraphy

I don’t know what it is about calligraphy that is so mesmerizing to me, but I feel like I must learn it in this life in order to feel fulfilled. Cue me buying a beginner practice book and brush pens on Amazon, and cut to scenes of me sweating while scribbling lowercase e’s all over my planner for practice.

 

2. Work out online

Speaking of sweating, one thing COVID-19 gave us is a ridiculous amount of at-home workout services. In the early days of the pandemic, I tried a 60-minute free yoga class hosted by Corepower Yoga, and wow, did it feel good to move. Now, when I don’t feel like heading to my regular gym, I know I can make something work with just my yoga mat and my breath!

Tons of fitness centers have stepped up to offer at-home virtual workout options. In addition to Peloton offering a free 90-day trial for their online classes, Tone It Up, Beachbody, Obé, P.volve, YogaWorks, and Pilates Anytime are all online-based programs with free trial periods, so you can save money while keeping active in your own home.

Bala Bangles

Wearable Weighted Bangles

10 colors available

Lululemon

Reversible Yoga Mat

4 colors available

Amazon Basics

Dumbbell Set

 

 

3. Learn how to cook

Listen, I’m all for living off of buttered noodles and red wine, but there’s something about mastering a new recipe and switching up your routine to make you feel full-bellied and accomplished. If you’re new to cooking, go easy on yourself and have a backup plan in case something catches on fire (speaking from personal experience here). If you’re already a pro, branch out and tackle that one recipe you’ve been eyeing for months now. Baking a new dessert is also welcomed and encouraged. Be sure to send all leftovers my way. 

 

4. Practice meditation

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Meditation has significantly improved my life. Once I realized that you don’t have to sit cross-legged with your eyes closed and woke up to what meditation actually can be, I found it to be a great way to step away from the chaos of life and check in with my bad self. The best part about meditation is that you have all of the tools to get started already within you. You can do it anywhere you’d like, and it’s free!

 

5. Pick up needlework

Q: What sort of hobbies can get me away from my screen and keep my hands busy? A: Knitting or crocheting. The difference between the two types of needlework lies in the techniques and tools used. To my grandmother’s disappointment, I have never taken part in either activity, but even watching how-to videos on YouTube is extremely satisfying. I’ve been itching to make one of the Pinterest-worthy chunky yarn blankets (which employs a hand-knitting technique), and this feels like the perfect time to make my dreams a reality.

 

6. Learn an instrument

Bust out your recorder from elementary school, because it’s time for your musical talents to shine. Fun fact: I learned how to play Baby by Justin Bieber on the piano via YouTube in high school, and it’s my favorite party trick to date. There’s no better time to connect with your musical side, and YouTube has a plethora of videos to get you started, no matter the instrument you decide to rock out on. 

 

 

7. Paint 

Channel your inner Frida Kahlo and get to painting, my friends. You don’t have to be an artist to pick up a paintbrush and get busy. If you want to go freehand, grab a painting kit with everything you need to get started. If you’re like me and would like some direction (and a guaranteed pretty result), a paint-by-numbers set is a must-have. Put on some of your favorite tunes, grab a glass of wine, and get artsy.

 

8. Make your own soap, candles, you name it…

Sick of making bread and tie-dying everything in sight? Time to level up your crafting. Soap is always a household necessity, and you can never have too many candles, so why not try making your own? Order yourself some supplies, watch a few how-to videos, and get going. Bonus: You now have handmade gifts on deck for the next birthday or special occasion.

Scandinavian Candle Co. Store

Luxury Candle Making Kit

Etsy | RevivalHomestead

Make Your Own Candle Kit

 

9. Learn how to apply your makeup

Why are makeup tutorials so entertaining? Probably because full-face looks seem like a far-off dream. Who has money for 32 high-end products and who is going anywhere fancy enough to be glam all the time? I can’t hate on it too much—everything I’ve learned about makeup I’ve learned from my favorite YouTube beauty icons. I love a good before and after, trying out new techniques (mastering a winged eyeliner, for instance), and getting the 411 on new product reviews. Some of my favorite beauty bloggers to learn from include Desi PerkinsCarli Bybel, and Jackie Aina. (Be careful, once you watch one, it’s easy to fall down a YouTube beauty tutorial rabbit hole.)

 

10. Learn to code

OK, so hobbies don’t generally revolve around being as productive as possible but hear us out. Coding is a real transferable skill that can mean big things for your career, whether you’re hoping to make a job switch or you’re just interested in broadening your knowledge base. There are tons of online courses that can teach you to code from your couch, so you can add a brand-new skill to your resume in no time.

 

 

11. Take care of your plants

If you too have acquired more plants over the last couple of years, you probably know full well that plants need regular attention and care. But if you’ve already witnessed the demise of at least one, you may wonder if you really have what it takes to grow your plant collection. To ease yourself into it, opt for easy-to-care-for plants until you feel more comfortable. Dive into resources about a new-to-you plant. Does it need a ton of light? Sparse water? A certain temperature or humidity level? There’s so much to learn, but there are so many resources to help you become a houseplant pro.

 

12. Take up photography

Dust off that DSLR you swore you were going to use on your trip abroad, and let’s get to learning! If you’re using your DSLR on “auto” mode, you’re doing it wrong. Even though your pictures might turn out OK, you’re probably not using your camera to its fullest potential.

That being said, DSLR or not, learning the groundwork of photography can help you to up your game and take better pictures in the future. Watch YouTube videos to learn about photography basics (aperture, exposure, shutter speed, and ISO),  tips and tricks, and mistakes to avoid to better understand the camera you already have or inspire you to invest in one. A good book on photography is another great place to start!

 

13. Learn a new hairstyle

If you tend to wear your hair the same way most days because of a lack of time to do anything you’re not quite as familiar with, now is the time to branch out and learn something new. Watch tutorials on YouTube or Instagram, gather any tools or supplies you may need, and give it a try. Practice makes perfect, after all.

 

 

14. Practice journaling

If you’re not already journaling, now is the ideal time to begin. Writing about the day’s happenings or whatever is weighing on your heart can be therapeutic, but the art of journaling doesn’t end there. Last year, I got bored writing about myself, so I turned to journal prompts to help me tap into new areas of my brain. Grab your favorite pen (I’m obsessed with these ones) and a notebook, and you’re set.

PILOT

Premium Rolling Ball Pens

6 colors available

Intelligent Change

The Five Minute Journal

6 colors available

Papier

Wellness Journal

10 colors available

 

15. Prioritize your financial health

Financial planning should always be at the top of our list of things to do, but let’s be honest: When life is hectic, many of us (myself included) put finances on the back burner. There’s no better time than the present to take control of your money. Dealing with finances is no easy feat, but you’re not alone! A good place to start? Check out our finance archives or pick up a money-themed self-help book to kickstart the process.

 

16. Make a vision board

Making a vision board is the perfect way to get crafty while also setting your sights on the future. It can help to have a visual aid to remind you of who you want to be, where you want to go, and what you want to accomplish. All you need is a canvas/poster board, a printer, some magazines, glue, scissors, and markers, and you’ll be visualizing your dreams in no time. Bonus points if you FaceTime a friend and pop some champagne while doing it—friends that set goals together stay together, am I right?

 

17. Give your old furniture a refresh

That old coffee table in your living room could use some updating. Depending on what you want to do (and what the furniture currently looks like), you’ll need sanding and scraping supplies, some plastic sheeting (to work on), and some new paint. Transform the whole look of your space in no time at all.

 

18. Foster an animal

Fostering animals is an incredibly awesome way to spend your time. Reach out to your local shelter and see how you can get involved to help furry friends in need. Not only may it result in a cuteness overload, cuddles, and kisses, but it’ll help prepare the animal for future adoption and free up room in the shelter, allowing the shelter to take new animals in. Get some puppy (or kitty) lovin’ without the long-term commitment, and thank me later.

 

 

19. Tackle your TBR pile

If you have a large stack of books just waiting to be read, consider taking some time and diving in. You may not be able to jet off on a beach vacation this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get some quality reading time in.

 

20. Teach yourself a new language

I downloaded Duolingo to brush up on my Spanish (really wish I would have paid better attention during my high school language course), and it’s one of my favorite pastimes. It’s great for beginners, portable, and free, which is always a plus. Make it a daily habit so you can confidently book that trip overseas and refine your skills.

 



12 At-Home Activities You Can Try Tonight Instead of Watching TV
READ NOW

 

The post 20 Hobbies You Can Start at Home—Today appeared first on The Everygirl.

How Interesting Was This Content?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this content.

Leave a Comment