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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dying of boredom - please share interesting pursuits/ hobbies you have come across.

82 replies

Tryeng · 04/05/2024 11:34

Not married/ no kids. Very early days into new relationship. 30 yo. In London (for now).

I socialise often but I genuinely think I only do this for mental stimulation. Would love to find something else to preoccupy my time.

When I’m at my parents home I enjoy cooking and gardening with them but for some reason they don’t “stick in London”. Would love a dog but don’t have time for one. Do volunteer fortnightly at rescue centre but find it sad tbh.

Thinking about getting back into horse riding. Sailed briefly as a kid but was useless tbh.

i have a Friend whose hobby is to visit waterfalls. Something like that would be neat.

Contemplating Astro-photography. Golf? Maybe furniture restoration.

Money shouldn’t be an issue but I do recognise specialist equipment can be very £££££.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
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Mermaidsarereal · 06/05/2024 10:12

Last year I bought myself a Cricut machine and spend hours creating things now, I've got a little set up in my kitchen with a TV and I love it. Have a look into it, it is a pricey hobby but if you shop smart it's not too bad.

LondonLass61 · 06/05/2024 09:34

Re mudlarking, we found lots of old clay pipe bits, pieces of terracotta tiles, two rings (looked like engagement rings), pieces of ceramic vases (lovely colours). You have to wear gloves and sanitise your hands afterwards, I also changed my boots too. It's lovely and peaceful down there - I'll definitely do it again.

TheCadoganArms · 06/05/2024 09:28

LondonLass61 · 06/05/2024 09:20

I recently went mudlarking on the Thames with a Meet Up group - the leader had a permit, safety equipment etc. So interesting.

What did you find?

LondonLass61 · 06/05/2024 09:20

I recently went mudlarking on the Thames with a Meet Up group - the leader had a permit, safety equipment etc. So interesting.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 06/05/2024 09:18

This reply has been withdrawn

Post withdrawn at author's request

LondonLass61 · 06/05/2024 09:18

Try Meet Up groups - there are loads in London eg walking groups, language classes etc.

TheCadoganArms · 06/05/2024 09:09

I did a photography course via my local adult education centre. Each week we had various assignments that forced you to walk around London looking for 'that shot' so ended up in areas and places that I would not normally visit. It was a quirky bunch of people on the course and again you were meeting folk you would not normally cross paths with which was a refreshing change.

Zanatdy · 06/05/2024 09:04

I’m in a local ladies walking group. 3 walks a week in lovely local countryside, lovely country pub lunches, branched out to theatre trips and some longer hikes. Best thing is everyone is very local, so have suddenly acquired over 30 local friends. All so different, but we all gel. Someone just posted a note on the towns FB page saying ‘any ladies fancy starting up a walking group?’ And it went from there, so if one doesn’t exist, set one up, if that’s your thing

SpringLobelia · 06/05/2024 09:00

(As per my post upthread I'm taking the Dcs out today to a new cafe. It's been in our village for about 3 years and i have never been).

Thanks OP for the thread. I have found it really interesting! Thanks

SpringLobelia · 06/05/2024 08:59

I am loving these suggestions and plan to take some on myself.

Particularly being a tourist in your own town.

And eating cheese. Lots and lots of cheese.

PassingStranger · 05/05/2024 16:26

Pickleball.

singswithitsfingers · 05/05/2024 16:23

quizzys · 04/05/2024 13:58

I don't know if this is of any use, but I am now a tourist in my own (historic and interesting) city. Seems to me that so many come here on trips and tours galore but a lot of the sights and things they do - I haven't done YET!

So I signed up to a city history/culture website newsletter. I am loving the walking tours and have met some lovely and interesting people too. I now have my name down as a volunteer walk leader so we shall see if they'll have me!

Great idea, particularly as you are in London.

therealcookiemonster · 05/05/2024 14:28

eating cheese

awesomeaardvark · 05/05/2024 10:23

Try orienteering. You don't need any experience and events are all over London. https://slow.org.uk/

South London Orienteers

A British Orienteering affiliated club, for all ages and standards, based in London and Surrey.

https://slow.org.uk

StopStartStop · 05/05/2024 10:16

Time40 · 04/05/2024 17:15

Outdoor swimming, especially in very cold water.

Cold water kills.
Could be an exciting hobby.

useruserna · 05/05/2024 00:46

Taking pictures for geograph. Can be taken as local or as far away as you like. https://www.geograph.org.uk/

Probably a bit more niche, but contributing to https://www.findagrave.com/
If you live near a cemetery you can take photos of headstones or you can also contribute by doing historical research relating to those memorialized.

Geograph Britain and Ireland - photograph every grid square!

Geograph Britain and Ireland is a web-based project to collect and reference geographically representative images of every square kilometre of the British Isles.

https://www.geograph.org.uk

Cattenberg · 04/05/2024 23:16

I’m envious of those who get to try out lots of evening classes. I used to do this, but I’m nowhere near London and our local college offers a tiny fraction of the courses it used to.

I took Russian classes 20 years ago, became friends with the tutor and we still socialise from time to time.

I also took aerial hoop classes for a while. They were fun and great for improving my strength and co-ordination. Alas, the local dance studio which ran these has closed.

One of my friends plays in a largish Samba drumming band. They get paid gigs - I saw them when they played at our local park last summer. I’d quite like to give it a go, but I get the impression that my friend would like to keep it as “her thing”.

Pudmyboy · 04/05/2024 22:55

BluebirdBoogie · 04/05/2024 12:46

Mudlarking on the Thames!

Do you needed a license for this? Thought I saw that on TV once (maybe a Countryfile type show?)

SpanThatWorld · 04/05/2024 21:04

MothQuandary · 04/05/2024 12:26

I started skateboarding a couple of months ago. I had a couple of lessons at an indoor skatepark and bought a skateboard for a tenner on fb market place. I’m really bad, but it is exciting and the local skaters have been very kind and supportive. Im 50.

Love this

I started playing non-contact rugby in my mid-50s. Most of my teamies are young enough to be my kids. Some of them were at school with my kids!

Best thing I've ever done.

Also did the archetypal middle aged woman thing and started outdoor swimming.

CheerUpFFS · 04/05/2024 20:34

Op I'm in a similar boat, life as a 30 year old is boring lol. I find furniture upcycling is the only thing that's gripped me properly.

merryhouse · 04/05/2024 20:33

Bellringing

Karate

MsFaversham · 04/05/2024 20:22

Summerhillsquare · 04/05/2024 12:44

If you're in London - mudlarking!

You need a permit for that.

DrJoanAllenby · 04/05/2024 20:08

Choir.
Ramblers.
Sky diving.
A racquet sport.
Creative writing.

Attictroll · 04/05/2024 19:25

At similar age in London I did young ramblers...not quite as geeky as it sounds as well as pottery at a local arts centre

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 04/05/2024 19:22

I joined an African drumming group about 6 months ago and go to pottery classes with dd and pop choir with ds.

I also swim outdoors - lots of opportunities in London.

I'm 53, the dc are young teens.