To ask about your engaging hobbies?

[youareminebestfavourite]

On paper, my life looks pretty fab - great job, happily married, 2 DS's who are awesome teenagers, a lovely extended family and great friends.
But I'm so fricken bored! After a bit of introspection, I have realised that I don't really have anything in my life that I do just for fun.
I go to the gym 6 days a week, walk the dog, work, catch up with friends etc but apart from that, I don't really do anything that engages and entertains me.
I have considered things like art classes, but I'm frankly shit at art and I also don't want to fill my house with crap tat that I'm keeping for the sake of it.
So, please tell me what you do as a hobby that engages you and brings some meaning to your life.
TIA

I have a few but one that brings most fulfillment is being a run director at 2 local parkruns, one 5km and one junior. The junior one especially I love being involved with and volunteer most weeks even if I'm not a run director.

Also amateur dramatics occasionally, I'm a member of a local society and do a show every 2 or 3 years but they're time consuming so help backstage or chaperone (if there are any children in them which there are sometimes) for ones I'm not in.

@IJoinedJustForThisThread thank you! unfortunately not near Surrey but I appreciate the thought!

I run a knitting group for elderly ladies who wouldn't otherwise get out of the house. I collect them before hand and take them home, give them tea and biscuits and a couple of hours of friendly chat. I provide all equipment and patterns. I charge £1 a session to contribute to the costs (for instance it's £15 to hire the room) we usually have about 8 ladies and they all moan about the price.
I asked if I could put a poster up in the GPs surgery, as there must be a lot of lonely people around but I got told that they don't support private "money making" businesses. Hilarious! I make a loss every week and do ot because I enjoy their company and feel like I'm doing something useful for our community.

I’ve just taken up skateboarding in my mid forties!!! It’s hard and I’m definitely not a natural but it’s so much fun.

Here are things that feature regularly (at least once a month) in my life:

• yoga
• gym
• feminist book group
• lesbian book group
• various feminist discussion & film events
• adult beginner's ballet (online and in a studio)
• mountain climbing & nature walks
• lgbt choir
• reading
• interior design
• poetry writing
• volunteer mentoring for young people
• playing the Sims 4
• teaching myself piano
• listening to podcasts
• the theatre

Sometimes I'll go to the climbing wall with my partner, or watch her play football.

There's loads out there, and lots of it free!

Oh yes and wild swimming!

I ride horses (share one) do daily yoga (yoga with Adrienne move is the current favourite - there's a thread in Yoga where a bunch of us are following along), so hard non cryptic crosswords, foster dogs and cats, read lots and find charity shop treasures! All keep me on my mental and physical toes.

@Heart78 that is something I would really like to do but can’t imagine going to the local skateboard park. Do you do all the tricks etc? How did you teach yourself?

I feel like I am a bit boring as my hobbies are mostly working out: I have a Les Mills subscription as well as a home gym. I also like going for walks/ hikes, baking, reading, crosswords/ code words. I also like arts/ crafts but never stick to any one thing: I have dabbled in sketching, painting, cross stitch, embroidery, card making, quilting.

Learning to play guitar. It is a lifelong endeavour and completely absorbing.

I can play piano quite well. Although I am not diploma level any longer as this was over 30 years ago I do play c twice a month for an hour or so. It is sheer bliss. I feel so privileged I can play this wonderful instrument and it is definitely one of my favourite hobbies.

Getting involved with other people in a similar activity is important. Reduce the things that are solitary, and choose interaction. Walking and craft work especially. Having a dog is more solitary than most admit. You appear talk to dog but really you talk to yourself.
Sailing is a good sport/hobby. It can be competitive round a course or relaxing around the coast.
You certainly forget everything else whilst being active. You do not have to own your own boat.

Allotment.
Sewing.
Occasional pony ride.
Take my dog.to.the pub
Throw house
parties
Visit new places.
My campervan( even if its drive somewhere.for a cuppa with a view)
Borrow a dog for long walks.
Knittimg and drinking club .
Music gigs .

I have a doll’s house and can happily escape into mini world for an hour a couple of times a week.
I’m not sure if it’s a hobby but I love to go to the cinema each week, I read up on all the new films and enjoy planning what to watch.
I also like to swim and go a couple of times a week.

Oh and I volunteer at our local church and brownies. I really enjoy them so I guess that counts as a hobby of sorts

Knitting, crochet- currently crocheting two blankets for my daughters. Also belong to a book club, its not very strict, but is giving me a social life

I have dolls houses too, and love making or bashing (adapting) miniatures and dolls.
I read a lot, although I don't think a book group would suit me, so again, it is solitary.
But I am in a pagan group, which requires all sorts of joint activities, from writing and leading rituals, arranging festivals, conferences and camps, giving talks, making incense and oils, producing chants, artwork and tools, etc.
Gardening with DH, bone taxidermy, winemaking, going away in my van, especially visiting stone circles, waterfalls and place of interest, tying in with my interest in folklore and legends.
I'm thinking of taking up yoga again and one of my friends is trying to get me interested in beekeeping…

@StScholastica

I run a knitting group for elderly ladies who wouldn't otherwise get out of the house. I collect them before hand and take them home, give them tea and biscuits and a couple of hours of friendly chat. I provide all equipment and patterns. I charge £1 a session to contribute to the costs (for instance it's £15 to hire the room) we usually have about 8 ladies and they all moan about the price. I asked if I could put a poster up in the GPs surgery, as there must be a lot of lonely people around but I got told that they don't support private "money making" businesses. Hilarious! I make a loss every week and do ot because I enjoy their company and feel like I'm doing something useful for our community.

That's a really lovely thing to do

@EssexLioness I take lessons! I’m not good enough to do tricks yet (and may never be!!) but I really enjoy it. Nobody at the skate park really looks down on you - I’ve even had some encouraging comments when they see that a 40 something year old woman is trying to skate board!!!

I make cannabis balm in my spare time, it works a treat for my arthritic knees, and I regularly give some to local OAPs. Also make stained glass and mosaics as well as the usual gym/bootcamp/cycling. Am learning Dutch too, just passed primary grade, so next step is actual adult level Dutch. I really want to try bouldering and pottery next

@Giggorata

I have dolls houses too, and love making or bashing (adapting) miniatures and dolls. I read a lot, although I don't think a book group would suit me, so again, it is solitary. But I am in a pagan group, which requires all sorts of joint activities, from writing and leading rituals, arranging festivals, conferences and camps, giving talks, making incense and oils, producing chants, artwork and tools, etc. Gardening with DH, bone taxidermy, winemaking, going away in my van, especially visiting stone circles, waterfalls and place of interest, tying in with my interest in folklore and legends. I'm thinking of taking up yoga again and one of my friends is trying to get me interested in beekeeping…

Love all your goings on! Fellow pagan here

Oh thanks @Heart78. It does sound fun. I imagine it’s quite good for strengthening your core too. I never considered lessons, might have a look to see if anyone does similar near me.

P/T art history degree with the OU. I’m obsessed!

And running….get those shoes out again OP you know it’s the best buzz in the world.

Something for the mind and something for the body is - I think - a great combination.

Between me and various friends I can suggest the following hobbies:
tap-dance
ballet
choirs (gospel, classical etc)
riding (don't need to own a horse, can learn as an adult)
get a dog and train it properly (agility, gundog, whatever)
creative writing
book group (you can always start your own)
bridge
family history (and writing it up properly)
local history (go to talks, do research, volunteer at the local museum or NT place, mug enough to do guided tours)
wild swimming all year round (that's not me, no fucking way)
table tennis (local league)
sailing
sewing
crochet/knitting (my SIL makes amazing socks and hats). This is great if you like to be creative but aren't any good at actually drawing
dressmaking
target shooting
archery
learn an instrument/revive the one you used to play and join a band (I knew an adult who took up clarinet, started playing with the kids in a wind band and had a blast)
kayaking
home brewing (I have had some excellent home-brewed beer over the years)
go on the parish council, help at the local credit union or food bank etc
volunteer to hear readers in a local school

And if you join a club you can always go on the committee. I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time clearing committee stuff out of my inbox...

What sort of dog do you have? Dog sports are great fun - agility, canicross (basically cross country running attached to your dog), obedience, all sorts. Creates a great bond with your dog and is mentally stimulating for both of you.