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I am a hobbyist to my core. I can’t sit still without wanting to constantly try something new, which means I’ve amassed a collection of activities that bring me unbelievable amounts of joy and purpose.
I’m really good at a few hobbies, okay at most, bad at some. It doesn’t matter to me if I paint horribly or dance terribly; that’s never the point. But nothing strengthens my reward pathways more than starting to get the hang of a new skill or making something from scratch.
HOBBIES I WANT TO START DOING
Beading handmade jewelry
Glass beads are stunning, and the idea of having a bead board on my lap to make necklaces while I watch Christmas movies this next December is exciting me already.
Throwing pottery
I am DESPERATE to throw pottery! My ceramic mug obsession is an expensive one to have, and I am so picky with drinkware. Every aspect of it— from the shape and size of the handle to the rim— has to be perfect for me to love it. Creating my own would solve that because I’d get to be as particular as I need.
Learning a new language
Other than English, I speak fluent Malayalam and Spanish and conversational German. When I’m able to converse with someone in their first language, it both stretches/challenges my brain and puts the other person at ease. Also, stringing sentences together in other languages is like a fun game I play when I’m bored; I’ll narrate what I’m doing in another language if I’m doing mind-numbing chores.
Next up, I want to become fluent in French and Hindi, which are both pretty languages to listen to are helpful for places I want to travel to. Lingoda is probably the language-learning platform I’ll go with, and I also plan to consume books/shows in those languages.
Learning chess
I’ve always thought chess pieces were the most stunning little sculptures, but I never learned how to play, so I’ve loved them solely for aesthetic reasons thus far. I’ll admit that I’m sort of intimidated to learn, and every time someone tries to teach me, I blank.
I’ve decided to start with the basics and take the free lessons at Chess.com (lol), and I think some of it is getting through to me.
Floral arranging
My mother used to have a cakes & flowers business, and the remnants from that era filled our childhood home; I always found floral foam and random stems in drawers. Knowing how to arrange flowers means getting to customize bouquets with the colors you want, saving money, and being able to create your own centerpieces.
Sewing my own clothes
The idea of making exactly what I want to wear and what fits my body has always appealed to me. When I see a stunning fabric, I want to be the person who turns it into a summer dress or pair of boxers. Sydney Graham posts sewing tutorials on YouTube that I have saved for when I want to give this my attention.
Needle felting
I’m on a fiber arts kick. Imagine the tiny animals or little Christmas ornaments one could needle felt!
Doing puzzles
I’ve never been a puzzler, but every Fall and Winter, my sisters spread out one of those adorable Lore Pemberton puzzles on the coffee table (which are pure art), and I always wish I picked up the hobby.
Cold water swimming
In 2023, I read both the Sarah Norquoy memoir about wild swimming and that Harry Styles profile in which he talked about cold water swimming. The way they both discussed it as if it were a euphoric high they were chasing made me envious; someday, I want the guts to do this. Not to mention, the health benefits list is long.
Air dry clay
Cute, relatively expensive, and no heat necessary! I want to try magnets and trinket dishes first.
Laminated pastry
I read a piece a while ago by a baker who claimed it takes a full year to master croissants. Pain au chocolat and croissants are my most consumed laminated pastries, and I am in awe of and intimidated by the process.
The dough is unforgiving and temperamental, but something I’m learning as I’m writing this is that I absolutely crave an intimidating, challenging project. Honestly, knowing how hard it is makes me want it more.
HOBBIES I ALREADY DO *AND WANT TO GET BETTER AT*
Knitting
Knitting is one of the most satisfying things I do with my hands. My fingers itch to knit while I watch TV or listen to podcasts or go to live jazz concerts. I knit scarves mostly— they’re pretty mindless and repetitive, so you can shut your brain off and not worry about stitch patterns— and I love wearing the stuff I make.
Tea blending
Inspired by Scandinavian bakeries in Dallas, I started filling canisters with loose leaf teas and dried flower petals to customize my favorite flavor combinations.
One day, I’ll want peach & rooibos, then I’ll want peppermint & lavender, or perhaps I’ll want a rose & green tea blend. I love the versatility of making my own blends so I’m never bored by drinks.
I’ve given customized tea blends as gifts based on what I know someone likes. Recently, I made a lavender, chamomile, calendula, and rose hip tea blend for a friend who loves calming teas after dinner. Loose leaf teas can be more affordable in bulk and end up saving significantly more money in the short and long term.
Journaling
I’ve written entire posts about journaling. It changed my life when I started a decade ago, and it’s a habit I never plan to drop. I do it nightly before bed (A/C on, freshly showered, tall glass of ice water or mug of tea, candle lit).
Ballet
Ballet very well might be the hardest sport and form of physical exercise I have ever done, yet it’s also one of the most transcendent and rewarding forms. I crave pirouettes and Balanchine fingers and swirling to classical music.
Other than the euphoric feeling of almost-flying, the best thing about such a difficult practice is that there is always something to work on, meaning there’s a delightful challenge embedded within each variation. You almost have to surrender to the music, you have to get swept up in it, and you can’t really afford to think or worry about anything else lest your form slip. In that sense, it’s one of the more whimsical forms of escapism.
There are adult and beginner classes in most cities, and some local colleges have classes as well.
Reading
I am convinced there is a book genre for everyone. The few people in my life who “don’t read” end up bingeing murder mysteries or celebrity memoirs or Greek mythologies. I read every single genre except for self-help, which bores me terribly.
The only rules I have in place now are:
Know Thy Self- I hate books that I hate (very profound). I simply can’t stand Emily Henry novels, but I forget that when millions of readers give these types of books 5 star ratings. I feel gaslit; maybe I’m the problem and need to give cheesy romance another shot? But every single time, without fail, I end up hating my reading experience and wish I just trusted my own taste.
You should quit reading books that you aren’t enjoying- Life is genuinely the shortest possible thing; too short to be arsed by eye strain. I have an eye disease, and I simply refuse to spend any of my “vision allowance” on stupid books.
Cake decorating
I make cakes inspired by Lucie’s mini cakes with florals, and they always look stunning. I want to take it up a level and start practicing my pipework and create more intricate cake decorations (perhaps even with more than 2 tiers. Not there yet, but one day).
Learning dumb but tricky songs
One of my party tricks is that I have memorized all 92 cities/towns in Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere,” and I can sing it without running out of breath or tripping over the words.
It is dumb for sure, but it’s also random and sort of a hidden talent?
Also just for fun, I found this video of Kacey Musgraves singing it effortlessly; her breath control is impressive, and she didn’t even break a sweat.
Painting
I often carry around this tiny little pocket set of watercolors— it actually fits into my pocket!— if I want to paint outside.
Watercolor was my favorite medium when I started painting. It feels a bit more forgiving while learning color theory and how to mix paints to create the right shades.
Nib & ink calligraphy
When calligraphy had its heyday in 2016-2019, I had the black ink in jars and everything; I’d dip my Victorian-looking calligraphy pens into the ink and write with flourishes on every envelope. These days, I mimic the style (hand lettering) because I can use regular pens to do that.
I think that almost as a result of the calligraphy craze from a few years ago, it's not a popular writing style anymore. Dare I call it outdated?
I still hand letter often. It is so relaxing to doodle in the margins or address envelopes with pretty writing.
Gardening
In the summers, I take my scissors and basket outside into our garden to get breakfast ingredients. Thai basil for omelettes, lavender for shortbread, and mint for tea. I make pestos and sweet jams and heirloom tomato sandwiches.
I want to start growing flowers out there as well (see above: my desire for floral arranging). I have seed packets for zinnias and dahlias just sitting in my room, since I’ve wanted to have a cut flower garden for years. This may be the year I do it.
Playing the guitar
Acoustic guitar has been my comfort instrument since I was 10. It wasn’t the first one I learned, but it was the one I loved immediately. The learning curve is steep and a bit painful (I had sore fingertips for the first few years due to infrequent playing), but it is just a skill I think comes in handy at any event or dinner party where singers need reinforcements.
Also, I have GOT to learn this guitar intro to Hozier’s “Would That I” before Autumn this year. I need to be laying down on my back on a picnic blanket stargazing while playing this riff.
Sauna sessions
Few things feel better than the initial walk into a sauna. I’ve become a bit of a sauna devotee over the past few years; finishing a sauna session floods me with every possible endorphin. Most days, even just knowing I get to sit in that heat incentivizes my productivity before it.
I’ve linked it before, but here is my favorite half anecdotal opinion piece/half science-based informational essay about the sauna—including tips, etiquette, and benefits.
Weightlifting
What’s left to say that would do it justice? Lifting heavy has changed my life, my body, my confidence, and my health. I stopped powerlifting a few years ago, but I’ve been using this powerlifting-inspired workout plan religiously since 2021. The program is run by a small, women-owned team from Texas, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Cooking/baking
Over the years, your cooking and baking intuition just gets better, until one day you just know how to eyeball measurements, how to substitute ingredients, how to trust your gut instead of the recipe when it comes to cooking time.
Making food is one of the greatest joys and loves of my life. Flipping through cookbooks, going to farmer’s markets and deciding what produce to cook with, and dreaming up dinner parties take up much of my mental real estate, but a life centered around the table is the only way I’ll have it.
I still create inedible food occasionally. Recently, I served to my friends a horribly soupy tiramisu in which I somehow managed to mess up the texture of every part of a recipe I’ve made a million times and know by heart. I made it at midnight and must have butchered the ratios without realizing. But these days, the fails happen so rarely that I can just laugh and move on.
Museum sourcing for inspiration
Art museums are incredible sources for color/texture/pattern inspiration. I can’t count the amount of times that a painting will inspire me to use certain colors together while redecorating my room. Sometimes, a textile with an interesting texture inspires me to search for a trouser or vest with a similar style.
Pickleball/Pilates
Two sports I’m just okay at but find so much enjoyment in doing. I don’t typically love cardio, but I make exceptions for these forms.
Piano & electric guitar
I am decent at both of these instruments but want to be more comfortable with them. The piano scratches that same itch as knitting— my fingers crave it.
Here’s to our summer of hobbies. If you thought of any more I didn’t mention that you find interesting, comment them below so I can be nosey!
x Ru
ok this is prob one of my fav posts from you WOW. can we start a new hobby together PLS
Wow very good! I think just furniture flipping. :) :) :)