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

Have you a local arts centre? You might find all kinds of local evening classes that you can dip into. I took up sewing, crochet, and silversmithing. I met lots of great people and I now have jewellery pieces I made myself, which is very pleasing.

I also coastal row. That's hugely social and involves regattas and the like.

I would look at volunteering, maybe check out the Do It website which categorises the sorts of help required, and how far you are prepared to travel. Food banks are always looking for volunteers, or maybe something outdoorsy with the National Trust.
If you do your food shop at a supermarket, look on their community noticeboard for events/clubs that are happening locally. I have recently seen ads for walking football and netball, as well as various types of dance class. Also check out your library's noticeboard for similar sorts of information.
Join the Women's Institute, or Townswomen's Guild, depending on what you have locally. I think most offer a couple of taster sessions for free, so that you can see if you like it before committing.
Join your local Meet Up. They offer lots of opportunities to make friends, do trips out etc. Despite the name, it is NOT a dating agency!
See if you can find out about any local book groups.

I just came on to mention allotments, and I see someone beat me to it! I don't know much at all about gardening - had an allotment with an ex before but he made all the decisions really - but since getting mine I have got really into it and learned a lot already. It is a local authority one and there was no waiting list - got it immediately. It's about £60 a year (it's a half plot but it is massive). I have hardly spent anything on it - seeds from Poundland and Wilkos, got given the spades etc by family members who didn't need them any more.... And it's great! It makes me really happy - one of the best things I have done for ages.

I joined a local bridge club in my mid-40s. Always played cards with the family, never played bridge. I love it and play 1 or 2 evenings a week.

My hobbies are swimming and photography. I walk a lot with my camera, taking pictures of everything nice I see around. Editing pictures could also be quite entertaining, and there are so many programs for beginners or you can make videos with your pictures, so maybe try that? If there is a camera club for photography enthusiast, you can join to meet new people there as well! In our club we have competitions, take challenges (30 spring photos in 30 days, etc), sometimes go for drinks together.

Sorry all my ideas are for at home, but reasonably cheap. Online exercise classes can be free - all sorts of things - yoga, tai chi, toning, full blown aerobics. I love reading and get most of my books from charity shops, so that's fairly cheap. Trying some kind of new craft you can do at home or a jigsaw (cheap in The Works).

If there a local charity that needs help at weekends. Might not be a hobby, but it'll get you out amongst others. Do you have a friend you could walk with either at weekends or in the evening?

Thanks so much everyone, such useful replies.

I have found a local walking group on FB and I am hoping to go to along to a meet up in a couple of weeks.

I am also considering going back to church?! Used to go as a kid but haven't been for years, not sure whether I believe or not. I do love belting out the old hymns - not sure singing is the best reason to join a church though?! they may have a choir or music group I could join once I've been there a while?

Gonna give couch to 5k another crack too 😜

Thanks so much everyone really helpful ☺️