5 New Hobbies You Can Try While Staying Home

As we become more and more accustomed to social distancing, there are simple luxuries we all miss - going out to eat, hitting the gym, hanging out with friends, etc. If you’re like many people staying home, you might find yourself with some extra free time to fill.

Consider keeping your mind active while making use of the downtime you have by picking up a new hobby. You've likely had one or two things you’ve always wanted to learn, but never did because you just couldn’t find the time. Well, now is the perfect time to get started. Below we're discussing five hobbies you can try now without leaving your home. 

Hobby #1: Knitting 

Knitting is a great hobby that can easily be picked up while staying at home. Not only is knitting a fun craft to try during quarantine, but it’s also a great stress reducer. It allows you to focus on a specific task and obtain a tangible result. Since the spread of COVID-19, global sales for We Are Knitters, a brand known for its bagged kits, have been increasing more than 75 percent weekly.¹ There are other popular organizations offering bagged knitting kits as well, and there are thousands of tutorials online. People are clearly giving knitting a shot, and you may want to consider it too. 

Hobby #2: Baking 

If nothing else, you can always bake your way through self-isolation. From something as simple as chocolate chip cookies to complex layered cakes, there’s an endless amount of baked goodies you can choose from. For many, baking can be calming and serve as a source of stress relief. For others, it's all about eating that delicious end product. If you turn to social media, your friends, the internet, YouTube, etc., you will find thousands of baking ideas and recipes to try. 

Hobby #3: Gardening 

In times when we’re all stuck at home, going outside might just be the thing we need. Luckily, spring is the start of the gardening season in many regions, making now the perfect time to head out in the sun with your gloves and a shovel. If you don’t have a yard or space for a garden bed, you can grow plants on your balcony, patio or windowsill. The next time you’re out to get groceries, see if you can find seeds, or order some online. 

Hobby #4: Painting 

If you have watercolor or any other paint at home, now’s a great time to bring the artist out in you. Not only can painting be a soothing hobby, but it allows you to tap into your creative energy as well. There are thousands of painting tutorials online if you want some guidance or inspiration. You can even make painting a social event by hosting a wine-and-design night with your friends or family over Zoom.

Hobby #5: Reading 

Reading is perhaps the easiest hobby you can pick up during this time. A good book offers a momentary escape from reality, which is something many of us probably want right now. With libraries and book stores closed, where can you turn to for a good book? A number of sites are offering free books online. Retailers including Google Books, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books and Audible are offering a selection of free ebooks for readers. Your local library may also be offering free books online. In addition, there is a National Emergency Library that is offering a large selection of online books during the pandemic. 

At this point, it’s likely you’ve spent weeks inside your home. Growing tired of watching tv, you're eagerly awaiting the day you can get back to a normal routine. While that time will come eventually, consider taking up one of these hobbies in the meantime. This will help keep you active and occupied. Who knows, you may even find a passion you never knew you had.

1. https://www.forbes.com/sites/loisaltermark/2020/03/27/knitting-has-become-the-cool-activity-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/#8cd2ac1921c8

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