Non-computer hobbies
July 12, 2011 6:58 PM Subscribe
Looking to pick up a hobby that doesn't involve computer use
I have to spend around around 10 hours a day in front of a computer (work + organizing some student organization events), and I was hoping to find something to do with my remaining 7 waking hours that doesn't involve a risk of lapsing into browsing the blue or Reddit. Preferably, this would be something I could do at home that would result in a nice skill, not cost much, and be relatively portable (since I'm moving to a dorm in a few weeks). Any ideas?
I have to spend around around 10 hours a day in front of a computer (work + organizing some student organization events), and I was hoping to find something to do with my remaining 7 waking hours that doesn't involve a risk of lapsing into browsing the blue or Reddit. Preferably, this would be something I could do at home that would result in a nice skill, not cost much, and be relatively portable (since I'm moving to a dorm in a few weeks). Any ideas?
Best answer: Knitting
Painting
Writing
Sewing/Crewel/Needlepoint
Small model creation
Whittling
Soduku/Crosswords
Board Games
Dancing
Mime
Stand-up Comedy
Photography
Singing
Playing an Instrument
Bird Watching
Insect Collecting
Baking
Cooking
Rollerblading
Really, the list goes on and on...
posted by xingcat at 7:05 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Painting
Writing
Sewing/Crewel/Needlepoint
Small model creation
Whittling
Soduku/Crosswords
Board Games
Dancing
Mime
Stand-up Comedy
Photography
Singing
Playing an Instrument
Bird Watching
Insect Collecting
Baking
Cooking
Rollerblading
Really, the list goes on and on...
posted by xingcat at 7:05 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Pick up a musical instrument. A guitar isn't necessarily going to cost you that much and there are tons of tutorials online (I know, I know). Playing music can also be a pleasantly social thing, so you probably won't drive your dorm mate(s) crazy and if it's something you really enjoy you might be able to find others in your area to play with.
I'm in kind of a similar boat right now; this is something I just added to my list of Things to Do.
posted by byanyothername at 7:07 PM on July 12, 2011
I'm in kind of a similar boat right now; this is something I just added to my list of Things to Do.
posted by byanyothername at 7:07 PM on July 12, 2011
I'm not sure how well butchering will go over in a dorm.
There are a million possible hobbies out there that we could suggest. What kinds of things do you like? Is there anything you are interested in but haven't had the chance to try yet? If you're heading off to college, that might be a good opportunity; a lot of hobbies have clubs that will help you get started.
What about swing dancing? I hear that's trendy.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 7:09 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
There are a million possible hobbies out there that we could suggest. What kinds of things do you like? Is there anything you are interested in but haven't had the chance to try yet? If you're heading off to college, that might be a good opportunity; a lot of hobbies have clubs that will help you get started.
What about swing dancing? I hear that's trendy.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 7:09 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Cooking. It'll be hard to translate to a dorm room, but if you're looking for a skill that'll improve your life in some way, that's seriously the best thing you can do.
You could do it learning to make and perfect things as you go along--like starting out with, say, marinara sauce or chicken soup or whatever your goal is, or you could go about it more methodically, Julia Child style, learning basic techniques and components, then building on them until you've got a good solid repertoire. Or some combination thereof.
Once you've got some skill in the kitchen, you're going to eat better, spend less eating out (as your cooking gets better than restaurants you'd normally go to), and you'll just have better control of and more enjoyment from your food than I think you really can otherwise.
One other really ridiculously general thing I did when I was in a rut once was to take on a DIY Everything approach. That is, if I needed a product or service, I would do my level best to try to make or do it myself if at all reasonable. I tried making my own clothes, building furniture, making soap and other toiletries, making yogurt and soup stocks, cleaning supplies, knitting and crocheting, all sorts of things. There were a lot of things I hated or was bad at or weren't worth the time and effort, but there were a lot that were, and the important part is that you know which are which. And you just walk around feeling that much more competent and even a little badass about it, really.
posted by ernielundquist at 7:31 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
You could do it learning to make and perfect things as you go along--like starting out with, say, marinara sauce or chicken soup or whatever your goal is, or you could go about it more methodically, Julia Child style, learning basic techniques and components, then building on them until you've got a good solid repertoire. Or some combination thereof.
Once you've got some skill in the kitchen, you're going to eat better, spend less eating out (as your cooking gets better than restaurants you'd normally go to), and you'll just have better control of and more enjoyment from your food than I think you really can otherwise.
One other really ridiculously general thing I did when I was in a rut once was to take on a DIY Everything approach. That is, if I needed a product or service, I would do my level best to try to make or do it myself if at all reasonable. I tried making my own clothes, building furniture, making soap and other toiletries, making yogurt and soup stocks, cleaning supplies, knitting and crocheting, all sorts of things. There were a lot of things I hated or was bad at or weren't worth the time and effort, but there were a lot that were, and the important part is that you know which are which. And you just walk around feeling that much more competent and even a little badass about it, really.
posted by ernielundquist at 7:31 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Allow me to serve as the point person for the Mefi Knitting Brigade and invite you to join us! Knitting is cheap (well, it CAN be), portable, produces something useful, and can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it.
posted by ErikaB at 7:40 PM on July 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by ErikaB at 7:40 PM on July 12, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Large format (like 8x10) photography. You don't need an enlarger if you make contact prints, which are really extroidinarily beautiful. The cameras are beautiful in themselves and not particularly expensive. It's a pretty cool thing.
posted by sully75 at 7:50 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by sully75 at 7:50 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
Without specific things you like its a bit hard.
Something that can take up lots of space, or a little is gardening.
I really enjoy it. Almost daily I spend time in my garden. Either weeding,, tending, or simply observing I find it to be very relaxing and really pleasurable. There is something to a garden that is fascinating and rewarding.
posted by handbanana at 8:21 PM on July 12, 2011
Something that can take up lots of space, or a little is gardening.
I really enjoy it. Almost daily I spend time in my garden. Either weeding,, tending, or simply observing I find it to be very relaxing and really pleasurable. There is something to a garden that is fascinating and rewarding.
posted by handbanana at 8:21 PM on July 12, 2011
Best answer: While not really a hobby, something that I found incredibly rewarding was Toastmasters. I learned a ton about public speaking skills, I gained confidence in myself, and I met a lot of people. It's very portable, and you could write your speeches by hand, which might open up a new way of looking at writing compared to writing at a computer.
Also, I nth knitting, cooking/baking, and music.
posted by baniak at 9:36 PM on July 12, 2011
Also, I nth knitting, cooking/baking, and music.
posted by baniak at 9:36 PM on July 12, 2011
Oh, I just remembered another thing -- I used to brew my own beer in a dorm! It's a great hobby, and will definitely foster social interaction! You can pick up a complete starter kit pretty cheaply from homebrewing supply stores online.
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 10:12 PM on July 12, 2011
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 10:12 PM on July 12, 2011
Lift weights, can be done a school gym, feels great, helps fight the computer guy sterotype when you get supe hot.
posted by oblio_one at 10:24 PM on July 12, 2011
posted by oblio_one at 10:24 PM on July 12, 2011
Geocaching. I assume that you're moving into dorms because you're going to school in a new town, so in addition to the general fun of geocaching, it could be a good way to explore your new home.
posted by asnider at 11:10 PM on July 12, 2011
posted by asnider at 11:10 PM on July 12, 2011
Juggling? At least I enjoyed it when I had to study for exams many moons ago.
It gave me another set of goals to reach, it's fairly physical (think squats when picking up the balls) and a good workout for the brain also. And it's perfectly portable. (If you get good, you can make some money on busking.)
posted by Rabarberofficer at 11:36 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
It gave me another set of goals to reach, it's fairly physical (think squats when picking up the balls) and a good workout for the brain also. And it's perfectly portable. (If you get good, you can make some money on busking.)
posted by Rabarberofficer at 11:36 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'd definitely go for something physical and probably outside. Rock climbing as suggested by This_Will_Be_Good might fit the bill. It's quite physically and mentally demanding and, unlike, say jogging or cycling, requires. My only suggestion as someone who spends a lot of time using a keyboard as to do it after work, not before as it's impossible to type after spending a couple of hours hanging on to tiny holds with your fingers.
posted by rhymer at 2:04 AM on July 13, 2011
posted by rhymer at 2:04 AM on July 13, 2011
The two most rewarding hobbies I've taken up were learning to cook/bake, and hiking/wild food foraging. Learning to identify all the plants/animals/bugs/butterflies/dragonflies/fungi on my walks is an excellent skill set, and it takes *years* to master.
posted by RedEmma at 8:47 AM on July 13, 2011
posted by RedEmma at 8:47 AM on July 13, 2011
Best answer: if you want something kinda weird that is strangely relaxing and pretty much the butcher form of knitting make chainmail. a set of tools and jigs doesn't take up a lot of room (i fit all mine in a small toolbox) it is cheap (a mile of wire-and you will use many miles)is about 50$ or so for 14 gauge. It will take up astonishing, mind-numbing amounts of time and all your friends (if they are also weird like mine) will love gifts of chainmail. The fancier weaves are pretty cool framed as industrial art and you can make all kinds of garments for you kinky and/or daring friends and if you know anyone in SCA or something similair you will be a valued artisan. Just an idea for a quirky hobby that is cheap, easy, fun and really passes the time if knitting with yarn is too passe' for you.
posted by bartonlong at 11:05 AM on July 13, 2011
posted by bartonlong at 11:05 AM on July 13, 2011
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If that sounds like a chore, or something that wouldn't take up 10 hours, what about a musical instrument. Maybe find one where you can sit all day too! Like an upright bass (and that is a workout to trek around).
Another option would be to pick up a skill/hobby that requires interaction, if you are somewhat isolated at the computer -- old school: learn to play bridge? newer: ultimate frisbee?
Another option that kills two birds with one stone is to learn to cook -- but if you want it to be a true skill, pick something somewhat complicated or that appeals to you. Get a grill or a smoker or a BBQ, and learn to grill all sorts of meats...that will also attract people and conversation! Learn something complex, like butchering all sorts of things like fish -- maybe learn how to make different types of sushis (knife skills, butchering skills, all sorts of skills...gosh!).
posted by This_Will_Be_Good at 7:04 PM on July 12, 2011 [1 favorite]