Do you have any hobbies? Or planning new ones this year?

[MooFroo]

Morning and happy new year!

Just wanted to get some ideas of what hobbies people have that you enjoy doing.

I WFH and have realised I don’t really do much other than work, watch lots of telly, read books and far too much phone scrolling.

I’ve never really had any hobbies, not sporty or creative and would like to do more with my evenings.

What kind of things do you all do that you enjoy? Open to all ideas and suggestions for inspiration!

thank you :)

well I bought this today to try a new hobby (yes I know these mags are an expensive way to create something…. But great for trying things out )
it makes a beautiful baby blanket eventually- and only a couple of quid to try it out

I like to write and cross stitch. In December I bought a 1922 hand crank sewing machine and I plan to clean it up and do some sewing on it. I do have a modern electric sewing machine but never really used it much cause it’s noisy and fast…I’m thinking the old one is much more peaceful and only goes as fast as you turn the handle!

Running. So much fun.

I crochet. I love designing a project, picking the yarn and colours, and then creating something that I can gift, and which will be appreciated.
I also find the process very soothing and mindful, it's very visual and tactile.

Are there any clubs near you? EG learn Bridge, or a "knit and natter" or that type of thing?
How about taking up a not-too-tricky instrument, something like ukulele? They're not vastly expensive either.
Exercise or sport of sone type would also be good I guess!

Gardening, cooking, running and I've signed up for a bee keeping course in the spring.

Plus parish council

My new hobby is going to the gym and getting fit. I’m also interested in learning pottery and hope to take some classes in 2026.

I’m planning on starting sewing, because I can never find clothes I like so I’m going to try making my own. I have an ancient sewing machine that MIL gave me years ago and that’s just been sat there making me feel guilty so may as well give it a go. Last time I did any sewing was in year 9 and it was a disaster but if you can’t be overly optimistic on 3rd January then when can you?

Will also carry on with existing hobbies, and would like to replace scrolling with reading like I used to before smartphones were a thing.

Kickboxing a couple of times a week and a weekly language class.

Joining for inspiration. I love family tree stuff, but it's sedentary. I need something more active as I also read loads, and would love to run consistently but I'm sporadic at best.

I've been given pottery lessons for my recent birthday! The place apparently hires out it's wheels and kilns too should I be a natural!

I play Pokemon Go! I’ve never been into Pokemon, but when it launched in 2016 I remember the world was going crazy for it and EVERYONE was playing it. My eldest two sons were 11 and 8 at the time and begged me to play it, so I downloaded it with them and we played for a few months. Then it sort of petered out.

In April 2023, my youngest son wanted to go out walking more. I told him about PoGo and we looked to see if it was still available - it was. We have played it daily since then! We go out on huge walks now, it’s rare I won’t easily hit 10k steps in a day and in the summer it’s 30-40k steps a day. I managed to find on Facebook a local group of players and we met up with them. Some of them have become my best friends now. One lady i meet up with daily to play the game with now. There’s quite a few different aspects to the game, so it gives you lots of things to be working towards which is nice.

Personally, although it can be seen as a bit “sad”, I find it a lot of fun and love the community aspect to it. If you decide to give it a go, there’s a thread on here with mumsnetters who play - I can find the link if you want it and you can add us all as in game friends and we can help you learn how to play!

We did this when dd was younger too - if you start a thread on here you will get loads of "friends" which really helps. I haven't been on it for years (sorry to anyone here I am friends with and haven't opened gifts etc!) but it was always a great way to get the kids out.

Need to learn Spanish by the summer

I crochet, read, play the cello and do jigsaws, sudoku and adult colouring books. I play the wordle and connections daily too.

I go to the gym too 4 mornings a week.

All designed to keep my mind engaged and get into flow.

Cold water swimming and dipping. I live about half an hour from the sea so I go every Sunday with a small group. During the week I use a cold plunge I’ve set up in my back garden.
I used to run, which I LOVED, but had to stop due to a recurring injury—I was devastated—but I’ve found the cold to be a great replacement for the adrenaline rush and challenge of running.
Five years ago I’d have thought myself insane!

I crochet. My sister knits and my other one makes quilts. My friends: garden, workout (yes I think that can be a hobby), paint and I think one would say her hobby is drinking! Actually she volunteers at a yacht club and it does seem to involve quite a bit of drinking.

Oo I would like the link although I've had trouble setting up a pokemon go account before not sure what went wrong. Does it matter where you live? We are quite rural so I'm not sure we would find any.

-I crochet vary basic blankets and donate to the local hospice. I get my yarn from charity shops and the various colours makes them bright and cheerful. once I got the basics, I can crochet whilst watching TV
-I garden and grow veg/fruit in the summer
-I enjoy cooking and often try cooking a new cuisine, vegetable or recipe
-Online surveys. Not really a hobby, but I did them for a whilst when not on MN
-Collect seaglass when taking the dog for a walk and make framed pictures with it

I garden, cycle (to and from school)and game. Two player games with my husband like split fiction and overlooking are great fun.
At some point I want to get back into swimming and horse riding. I find I really struggle with the guilt and time spent out the house. I have high needs children so am often absolutely knackered. Horses is such a full on intense hobby I'm not sure I can warrant the time just yet but maybe when my children are older.

I was terrible at sewing in school, just couldn’t get to grips with it. I got a sewing machine for Christmas a few years ago and while I’m not brilliant I enjoy making simple things - it’s very different to having someone stand over you at school and so many resources online to help you work things out.

I also love cooking, baking, cross stitch and crochet. Should probably find a more active hobby too as walking the dog is about as active as I get.

Brace yourself...😂

I'm a keen bonsai enthusiast and have many trees to keep me occupied, and there are also a lot of events all over the country that I like to go to. My garden needs a fair amount of attention as well. I also volunteer at a community nursery.

Collecting vintage brooches, which come from car boot sales etc. Don't like paying a lot, so it is the thrill of the chase with that one.

Also have quite a large stamp collection which needs a thorough sort out.

I'm learning to play an instrument, but haven't even picked it up for a while. I need to do something about that.

I belong to a choir, go to a weekly dance class, and enjoy going to the theatre. I'm occasionally called upon to alter/embellish theatrical costumes.

Quite some time ago I started doing family history research, and haven't done any more of it for a number of years. There's a lot more information available now, so I need to update my records and hopefully break down a few brick walls.

Aside from all that, I'm part way through writing a novel.

All of which is why I've decided to retire in a few months' time.😁

I can relate to feeling guilty about spending time out of the house but all I can say is, don’t! Apart from anything else it’s good for DC to see their parents have fun hobbies and trying new things, it sets them a good example.

I do Pilates, some sewing since I’m wardrobe mistress at our local am-dram theatre, I’m in a darts team and like Tillow I’m a big fan of Pokemon Go.

This year I’m trying to work on my weight and fitness so I hope I can add some more Pilates classes and go back to pole classes that I used to do before covid.

I also want to get back into some of my old craft-based hobbies. I had my own craft business at one point but since I moved house 6.5 years ago it’s all been in the loft. I also want to get back into more reading and writing.

I run, swim and do yoga / Pilates (at home). That makes me sound v sporty but I promise I’m not 🤣 I also read, listen to audiobooks and I crochet every single day usually making blankets for friends / new babies / family.