To ask what your hobbies are?

[UnicornBoom]

I really need to meet more people, and would love to meet someone special as online dating is a cesspit. In an attempt to meet friends and possibly a partner (maybe wishful thinking) with similar interests, I'm looking to mumsnet for ideas. I'm really lonely and have fallen into the trap of being a lone mum who spends her spare time doing absolutely sod all. I am now in a position where I will have one weekday evening off per week. I'm determined to find a hobby and am looking for inspiration. I love music, anything creative, go to lots of protests, sport (but am quite unfit). What are your hobbies?

Have you thought of joining a penpal site?It's an awesome way of meeting new people. I've been on one for a couple of years now though has been off it for a few months as life got in the way but back on it again and have had so many welcome back messages it's unreal. Worth a try to get you started and maybe you might just find a romantic partner too! Just look out for the creeps that's married, they'll not show married on their profile and looking for females a dead giveaway they are losers. Also the creeps. They are pathetic so that's a giveaway that'll shine through. Otherwise it is good fun and a good way to chat to lovely people.

Drinking tea and reading. But they are my hobbies because I do not want to meet people. I barely have time to see the people I already know I like, let alone meet new people.

Ten year ago my hobbies used to be binge drinking and casual sex. Met loads of people!

That's a lovely idea, but I'd really like to do something that gets me out of the house weekly. I'm a bit fed up of screens.

Not really relevant what mine or anyone else's hobbies are, but, as you have said, it needs to be something you enjoy.

So, do you fancy volunteering ? Scouts.....fundraising for your local Hospice or Hospital ....... a sports club .......
You say you go to lots of protests - is that for a particular cause? Presumably there must be a committee or a campaign group that meet to plan events / publicity etc ? ......Or what about joining a Political Party...... or something that is specifically not aligned to any party but works for a better society - maybe Citizens UK ?
Sport - not knowing what sports you like or your age, but what about 'Back to Netball' or 'Walking Football' or women's rugby? or Parkrun ? Or local running club? or what about giving back - all sports clubs need administrators, treasurers, secretaries etc as well as coaches . Or what about finding a new sport / outdoor activity - climbing, rambling (though that is more of a weekend than evening thing), kayaking, sailing ?
Music - what do you play ? There are all sorts of music groups but it will depend on your instrument and / or ability. Or a choir (probably less change to chat and be social). Or what about joining a Musical Theatre / Operatic Society / Am Dram group ?

Wonderfully helpful thank you 😅

I jest. Well, I hope you had fun doing it! My casual sex days are well and truly over.

Usually anti racism or say no to fascism protests. I usually go with my mum 😂 might have to start leaving her at home.

I'm 32, I like running but am too slow and unfit for a club. I'm getting fitter by the week though.

I play piano and I sing. Been in a couple of choirs but it's not for me anymore. I'm looking at drum circles though 😊

Photography? It might be something you can also combine with your other interests as subjects to photo and is creative. It’s also a hobby that is not short of men and camera clubs are a good way to meet people and get out. Look on MeetUp for local photo walks and you don’t have to have to have expensive gear to give it a go.

I joined a craft club... it used to be a sewing group but they opened it up to all crafted which is nice as means I can take whatever I'm working on and also means my projects ACTUALLY progress!

There are a lot of experienced crafters too so I'm currently getting support with something new to me which is so lovely so I'm definitely making friends! They're all women at my craft club though. You mentioned being creative so thought something g like this May suit you?

There are plenty when you look into it. Mine is at my local church but you don't have to be a church goer to attend.

Indoor climbing? Quite a few friendly outdoors type clubs have a regular evening at a climbing wall as well as weekend meets.

Indoor climbing or a running club to meet potential single people too! I do am dram and play in a concert band but it's a relatively small pool of people.

A lot of running clubs (including the one I'm in) cater to all abilities and speeds and climbing is very sociable and meet all sorts of people.

I go a slimming class and gym & I like gardening and homemaking (or interiors as the magazines like to call it)

but if I was 32 and single I and wanting to meet someone or make friends I think I would join a running club (you can walk initially)

Most of the running clubs near me cater for slower runners and all do a couch to 5k programme at least once a year. (Been in a running club since my early 20s and have quite a few friends over the years who now openly admit they joined to meet men/women).

Amdram/musical theatre. Loads of fun and very sociable

My main one is horse riding. I wouldn't recommend it, hugely expensive, not terribly sociable, lots of crazy women, very few straight men and often the few there are think they are god's gift because so many women throw themselves at any straight man who knows which end bites and which end kicks.

I did meet my DH through horses so it isn't hopeless but not ideal for meeting men.

I'm also in a reading group which is a great social way of meeting people, and we have done trips to the theatre, cinema and opera as well as our book related activities. Cheap too, tends to be a bit female dominated but worth it for friendship and expanding your reading.

I also enjoy hiking, which can be solitary or sociable depending upon how you do it. It used to be that hiking groups were generally a pretty old demographic or very full on but there are lots more groups now and there are specific ones for singles/men/women/older/younger etc

Im in a proper “harriers” running club and we have two nights, one specifically for slower/lapsed runners , which includes a walk/run group, the fastest group on that night are pretty steady (5k in 35 minutes), and those of us that run on the other night are actively unwelcome at the slower night as it’s a space for people who are in a similar place with their running to support each other. Well worth talking to your local club. You may be surprised as to what they offer!