Ed note: Feel like you have no free time? List your hobbies as “sleeping” or “watching TV”? I completely relate. Kelly Whalen has some great ideas for adding activities to your life that are enriching, don’t require a huge time commitment and are affordable.
We often think of hobbies as a childish thing or equate it with people who have more leisure time, like our retired grandparents. But no matter what stage of life you’re in, you’re never busy for hobbies. Carving out time to enjoy hobbies can be an amazing way to connect with others, take care of yourself and have fun. While your kids may be obsessed with collecting and trading Pokémon cards (yes, it’s still a thing), and your parents may spend hours each day in their vegetable garden, you may not know what to do. So we put together a list of fun and popular hobbies that won’t cost a lot.
1. Coloring
That’s right—coloring! Coloring is making a huge comeback for adults because it allows us to get creative, and, when done purposefully, it can be extremely calming and almost meditative. It’s a great way to relax and release some of the stress we carry around from busy lives and inexpensive supplies can be found anywhere. Don’t worry, you can color outside the lines if you want.
Read all about coloring for adults and get a free mandala to color at Wendy Piersall’s site.
2. Cooking
Inexpensive cooking classes are often offered by your local government (township center, county extension, etc.) and can be a fun way to try a new cuisine or cooking technique. You can also look for free or cheap classes at cooking stores and some restaurants.
Search ‘cooking class’ and your location to find options in your area.
3. Book Club
This is one most folks are familiar with, and you may already participate in a book club. Instead of reading popular fiction, you may find or put together a book club based on shared interests such a reading the classics, crime fiction, autobiographies or science fiction.
Talk to the clerks at your local independent bookstore or gather up some friends for an evening of snacks, drinks and chatting about your favorite type of books.
4. Go into the woods
Even if you’re not much of an outdoors person, you can find a lot of clever things to do outside. Hiking and running are popular, but you could also organize or find a local bird watching group, amateur photography club or take up geocaching.
Try out geocaching for free using this site and their free app.
5. Find the free or cheap
If you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to save money, so why not make a list of all the free and cheap places to visit in your town or city? Most places have museums, historical sites, parks and other attractions that offer low or no cost admission. Some may accept donations in lieu of an entrance fee. A few of our favorites include: our local national park, Revolutionary War battlefields, parks that include some history (one near us has part of an old boardwalk and springs that were popular at the turn of the century) and even local college campuses.
A quick search of attraction and, parks near you or your local government’s site can lead to the start of a great list of free or affordable places to visit.
6. Play games
Board games have had a resurgence in recent years. With complex strategy games, card games and more, you’re sure to find something that appeals to you. Look for a local game shop or check out a tabletop game podcast to get an idea of what you might like.
Check out this list of Tabletop podcasts and do a search for your local game store.
7. Volunteer
What if you can’t think of anything to do as a hobby? You could turn your passion for pets into helping at an animal shelter. Or use your accounting degree to help a local nonprofit balance the books.
Sites like Volunteer Match and AllForGood can help you get started.
Whatever you choose, there are tons of options out there, so try something new this summer. Chances are it will lead you to feel more fulfilled and happy.
SOURCE: Block Talk – The H&R Block Official Corporate Blog – Read entire story here.
