Why It’s Time to Find a New Hobby — Plus Fun Ideas to Inspire Your Next Hobby Adventure

Hi everyone! Welcome back to Lily’s Inter(N)esting Insights! This week, I am so excited to talk about hobbies - because you need a hobby. And if you already have one, guess what? You might need a new one! There are so many fun hobby options, it’s hard to pick just one! (I bounce around new hobbies quite frequently, so I have a lot of options for you below). 

Today, I’m sharing some of my current favorite hobbies, a few classics I’ve loved for a while, and some new ones I’m excited to try. Let’s get to hobby-ing!

Okay, I have to call myself out: by “baking,” I don’t mean I’m hand-making pies from scratch… yet. I recently bought some pumpkin-themed baking mixes from Trader Joe’s (just add eggs and water, stir, bake, and boom! Bread!). And let me tell you, the moment that sweet pumpkin smell filled my apartment, I was hooked.

Boxed or homemade, baking is such a fun and satisfying hobby. Next up, I’m going to try making something fully from scratch. Wish me luck!

Reading might seem like an obvious hobby, but it’s timeless for a reason. A good book never fails. Lately, I’ve found that switching up where I read makes it even more enjoyable - think coffee shops, parks, bookstores, and more. The right setting can totally take your love of reading to the next level.

Living on my own at college, I really miss my mom’s homemade soup. So, I’ve started making a new kind every week! It’s surprisingly therapeutic, and there's nothing more satisfying than eating something that you made yourself, especially something like soup that you can experiment with to get it to your perfect liking!

Pro tip: soup is even better when you add your own special twist to it, so don’t be afraid to experiment! 

This is an old favorite of mine! I grew up around water and have worked at a surf shop for a lot of my life.  I love anything that gets me outside and moving - kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, surfing — you name it. I’ve never left the water without feeling refreshed, clear-headed, and happy. Cannot recommend enough!

One random craving for fresh OJ led to a spontaneous Facebook Marketplace juicer purchase - and now I’m fully obsessed. Juicing is surprisingly fun, gives you total creative freedom, and is good for your health, too. It’s become one of my favorite weekend rituals… The hard part is just keeping up with it, because they are so good, I drink them too fast!

I love coffee - like, LOVE. I recently upgraded my at-home setup with an espresso machine, and it’s been a game-changer. Making lattes and experimenting with different flavors and milks has become a hobby all on its own. It's part science experiment, part requirement if you need caffeine like me!

Bonus: It saves money, and you can make the drink exactly the way you like!

So this one’s a bit out of left field… I am not musically inclined (seriously, not even a little). But my little brother is really great at guitar, and when I visited home recently, we attempted to perform “Seven Nation Army” together. He on guitar (amazing), me on drums (…yikes).

It was chaotic and very loud, but also so much fun. Even if I’m not destined to be a drummer, trying something totally outside my comfort zone felt awesome - and now it’s something fun we can do together when I visit home.

I've always loved writing silly jingles for friends and family, but recently I’ve been experimenting with more meaningful poetry. It’s become a creative outlet and so fun - I even submitted a piece to my school’s literary magazine!

If you’re curious, try just jotting down your thoughts. You might surprise yourself with how much fun you will have!

I recently visited one of those paint-your-own-pottery studios and made a mug that’s now my absolute favorite. It was so relaxing and fun that now I want to take a full pottery class. Creating a piece of art completely designed by you? How fun is that?

I used to love sewing when I was younger and even made my own clothes (shoutout to childhood sewing classes!). Somewhere along the way, I stopped - but lately, I’ve been wondering why. Making your own clothes or accessories? Super cool and practical. Time to pick this one back up! If you have been considering starting to sew or starting again, you should! I remember loving it, and I think I will be returning to my sewing era soon!

Nothing clears my head like a hike. I love being in nature, and hiking is the perfect way to soak it all in - with some movement and beautiful scenery as an added bonus. My roommates and I have made a hobby out of finding new trails, and best of all? It’s free! Sounds like the perfect activity to me!

Like sewing, painting used to be one of my main hobbies. Life got busier, and I stopped making time for it. But it’s one of those things that always brings me peace and lets me express myself creatively. I’m ready to pull out the paints again - and you should too!

Here are three hobbies at the top of my “must-try” list:

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Inter(N)esting Insights! I hope this inspired you to try a new hobby (or five). I’m deep down the hobby rabbit hole, and I’d love for you to join me.

Trying new things is fun, fulfilling, and a great way to learn more about yourself - you never know what might stick!

Until next time,
Lily the Intern