Hobbies in my 40s

[WordtoYoMumma]

I'm bored! I work full time, my life is work, come home, sort tea for whoever needs feeding, wash up, watch an episode of something on telly, bed.

Weekends are largely housework. Or going for walks on my own. (I have tried park run several times but I cannot run, I get out of puff within 30 seconds and feel like a failure. I've tried couch to 5k and can't complete week 3!)

I am on a fairly low income and I have debts I am desperately trying to clear, so expensive hobbies are out, but I just feel like I need something else in my life. I spend a lot of time on my own, which I don't mind, but a hobby with other people might be nice. It's why I wanted to join the running club, it seemed like a perfect hobby, get fit, meet people, get out the house, no expensive equipment or gym membership required... But I can't run and I have really tried 😭

What hobbies have people taken up in their 40s? I fancy rock climbing but there isn't anywhere that does it accessible to me.

Inspiration appreciated! Thank you

If you can't run, what about walking?
Usually there are local rambling groups or just a FB group of like-minded individuals.

Park run are really encouraging walkers to come along too now, so don’t let not running stop you.

Also check out wild wanderers on Facebook, they have local sub groups

I've done a few things, the cheapest that involved getting out and meeting people was a community choir. Community choirs are typically more about helping people with a range of abilities enjoy singing together than setting a high standard so usually no audition or experience required. With a decent leader you will be amazed how good a no audition choir can sound.

For fitness, kayaking and canoeing have done it for me, still cheaper than many hobbies but not super cheap and I'm fortunate to have a club nearby. Also great socially.

Mid forties and I've just taken up learning the electric guitar. I've been fortunate to be able to pay for lessons but sure you could pick it up from YouTube tutorials and grab a bargain guitar on ebay or Facebook.

Realised a while ago that all our hobbies tended to be focused on exercise, I.e. walking, biking, swimming but none just to learn a new skill. Pottery making and archery are on the list next.

Check out The Rebel Badge book. It's amazing for getting you doing new things. Their like Brownies badges for adults

Climbing is quite expensive ( £15 for a session at a local facility plus shoes and harness as a minimum - more gear needed for outdoors)

Do you enjoy not quite running ? If yes stick with it - the speed and the walking are all fine - you are still a runner

Or find a walking group

I am in 2 walking groups, one was on meet up and the other on Facebook. I made a nice couple of friends at each group. I also volunteer and have become mates with a woman and we meet up for lunch and a bit of a laugh outside our voluntary roles.

Have also sung in choirs and done lots of dancing lessons but walking and hiking have always been my main hobby. Less hardcore these days, no more 20 mile walks for me.

Do you have allotments near you? Local authority ones are cheap to rent but waiting lists can be long. Allotment gardening can be as extravagant or as shoestring as you want it to be really and some have a lovely community feel.

Local drama group? They don't just need actors to perform there's always loads of stuff to do backstage. Costumes, props, make up set builders.

Outdoor swimming? See if there is a Bluetit group near you. (Other swim groups are available!). I've never met a friendlier and more accepting group of people.

I've just started crocheting. For £10 you'd get a ball of wool, pattern (lots of free downloads on internet) and a hook.

Wow thank you for all the replies! I hadn't even considered looking for a walking group 😂 I love being out in nature, my fave thing to do with the kids used to be long walks in the woods, climbing trees (them!), Looking for the Gruffalo etc but now they are teens/adults I have to bribe them to drag their feet out with me and spend the whole time asking them to put their phones away 🙄

I can't swim (perhaps I should learn?) so water sports are out.

Might keep trying with the parkrun (park walk!) I do quite like it but it makes me feel a bit like a failure when I'm not getting any better at it...

Thank you everyone

You feel like a failure doing something you enjoy and is good for you ?!?

Not so much hobbies, but I do a bit of community/volunteering type stuff with PTA and local environmental group, and I've found it's really helped my mental health. It's all very light stuff - organising bake sales, going on a litter pick, that kind of thing. People everywhere are crying out for volunteers.

Also studying something I love, makes me feel a lot more content.

For actual hobbies I like gardening. Also cooking (you have to do it anyway, so might as well get into it). Now the nights are getting lighter maybe you could find some people to do group walks with in the evening. My DH does that, and enjoys it. It's a good way to work up to running.

Other ideas: yoga, pilates or bodyweight strength training - loads of free stuff on YouTube. Reading, set yourself a Summer book list or a challenge like reading all of Jane Austen. Write down a list of things you'd like to do for the Summer and do them. Sewing/craft, maybe you could learn to make clothes or curtains or lampshades, or whatever and set yourself projects. Decorating - pick a room for the Summer and give it a spruce up - you can limit yourself to buying second-hand, borrow expensive equipment and learn skills along the way.

A walking sport? (Walking netball/football for example)

Have you considered exercise induced asthma? I wasn't diagnosed til my 30s when my son was diagnosed. As a kid I had night time coughing, colds always went to my chest, and I used to feel breathless at times of heightened emotion, and of course any exercise made me breathless but I just figured I was massively unfit, always. I never had any usual wheezing. Just a thought!

I've taken up the ukelele & go weekly to a really fun group where we have a big sing along session. One of the joys of my life. Also monthly for a wine club & a book club.

This sounds brilliant!!

Well everyone is all about getting better and faster and hitting that PB and I can't even run the course, so... Yeh...

I do swimming, canoeing etc, don’t go to meet people though just exercise. It could be worth looking into learn to swim lessons for adults as that would open up lots more activities. Things like aqua aerobics are quite social.

No everyone at park run isn't always getting better and hitting PB all the time
You might always find things difficult if you want a hobby that makes you look good
The lady who tail walks out event can't run since covid
I am always last "runner"

My friend has started wild swimming with a group (The Blue Tits) and is addicted, even in winter. She's made some new friends too. They also do lido swimming.

With your love of the outdoors, exploring, keeping fit and nature, you'd fit the mountain biking profile. It can be an insanely expensive sport however, but that's for those that want everything top end and new. If you pick up a second hand starter bike, learn some basic repair skills and look at second hand gear, it could be affordable. If not maybe something to think about for the future. I started on a cheap bike at 45, got myself some skills, started racing enduros at aged 47, I'm now 53 and love to get on the trails with mates or ride xc for miles.

Meant to add, I've tried coach to 5k so many times and like you I can't make it past week 3? Everything aches for weeks? I've really tried, got properly fitted with proper running shoes, i stretch,I give up! I'm super fit on a bike however, and I'm unstoppable for miles.