Hobbies, how do they work?
July 19, 2012 1:57 PM Subscribe
After spending most of my waking hours in front of a computer for years, I have no idea what to do with my free time that doesn't involve internet. I don't have many friends so I'm not even sure how the process work. Is it sudden inspiration? How did you get started in your favorite hobby and why do you like it?
What kind of things do you like looking at on the internet? Do you enjoy seeing different kinds of art, SCUBA diving pics, BMX racing, theater performances? Look through a bunch of pictures and see what kinda sticks out to you.
Then try reading some blogs based on those things, it won't give you a comprehensive understanding, but it'll let you know if you really can't stand certain aspects of something, which may guide you in a different direction (I love photography, but honest-to-god thinking about/talking about apertures and what not makes my head shut off - which makes photography a less-optimal hobby choice for me...)
Then, if you like classes, see if you can find some classes on whatever you think your top pick would be, maybe you'll like, maybe you won't - no big thing, adult classes typically run about 6 weeks, so it's not like you're out a major investment if you've guessed wrong.
The other thing that I've done when I've found myself in a rut is to think back on things I used to do. For example, in High School and college I enjoyed being involved in theater productions, but community theater is too much of a time commitment for me to make now, so I got involved with my local improv scene. I took classes once a week, went to see shows when I could, it's been a lot of fun. I could have also gotten involved in the storytelling group or taking regular acting classes for a similar time commitment.
What kind of things did you do when you were younger?
posted by dadici at 2:08 PM on July 19, 2012 [2 favorites]
Then try reading some blogs based on those things, it won't give you a comprehensive understanding, but it'll let you know if you really can't stand certain aspects of something, which may guide you in a different direction (I love photography, but honest-to-god thinking about/talking about apertures and what not makes my head shut off - which makes photography a less-optimal hobby choice for me...)
Then, if you like classes, see if you can find some classes on whatever you think your top pick would be, maybe you'll like, maybe you won't - no big thing, adult classes typically run about 6 weeks, so it's not like you're out a major investment if you've guessed wrong.
The other thing that I've done when I've found myself in a rut is to think back on things I used to do. For example, in High School and college I enjoyed being involved in theater productions, but community theater is too much of a time commitment for me to make now, so I got involved with my local improv scene. I took classes once a week, went to see shows when I could, it's been a lot of fun. I could have also gotten involved in the storytelling group or taking regular acting classes for a similar time commitment.
What kind of things did you do when you were younger?
posted by dadici at 2:08 PM on July 19, 2012 [2 favorites]
When you surf the internet, you probably have your certain websites and general subjects that you follow. What are those interests, and can you think of some real-world associated activities?
For example:
Do you read political blogs mostly? Get out and volunteer for a campaign of some type, god knows there are plenty.
Do you follow the nerdier blogs? Maybe stop by some hobby shops and look into modeling activies, tabletop gaming, or something physical that still is essentailly nerdy.
Do you read art blogs? Do art.
Do you participate on good reads? Write a book.
You're interested in things on the internet because you are genuinely interested in them, there's no reason you can't pursue those subjects offline.
posted by Think_Long at 2:08 PM on July 19, 2012 [7 favorites]
For example:
Do you read political blogs mostly? Get out and volunteer for a campaign of some type, god knows there are plenty.
Do you follow the nerdier blogs? Maybe stop by some hobby shops and look into modeling activies, tabletop gaming, or something physical that still is essentailly nerdy.
Do you read art blogs? Do art.
Do you participate on good reads? Write a book.
You're interested in things on the internet because you are genuinely interested in them, there's no reason you can't pursue those subjects offline.
posted by Think_Long at 2:08 PM on July 19, 2012 [7 favorites]
First, you should turn of the computer, step away from the keyboard and go for a walk. Seriously, whatever you're looking at on the net likely has a counterpart out in the world that you can get involved with. I got into my so-called hobby (I think of it as more than that) because it was something I always wanted since I was a kid. I like growing my own food because it's far far better than anything in any store, and I love watching things grow and change and observing the various creatures that visit the garden or live in it, like treefrogs, hummingbirds, black beetles, you name it. And I love saving my own seeds and seeing the results of that. The internet can't compare with this.
posted by Listener at 2:09 PM on July 19, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by Listener at 2:09 PM on July 19, 2012 [5 favorites]
this is mostly just an addition to smidgen's comment. whatever you do, don't fasten onto the first thing you think of and make a big plan about how you're going to totally get into it, master it, etc.. total buzzkill. just try different things, and the ones you keep doing without telling yourself you have to do them, those are your interests.
posted by facetious at 2:12 PM on July 19, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by facetious at 2:12 PM on July 19, 2012 [2 favorites]
I brew my own beer.
I have always liked beer well enough, but at one point I had a roommate who mentioned that he knew how to brew beer. The idea was utterly foreign to me at first; I'd never even heard of anyone making their own beer before. I wondered if it was legal, I wondered where the carbonation would come from, I wondered what kind of beer I might want to brew, and what kinds of beer even existed for that matter. So we pitched in together and bought some brewing equipment and brewed up a batch of pale ale. It was amazing, and I was instantly hooked.
For me, the fun is not only in drinking the finished product (which, I'll admit, I love doing), but in taking a series of raw, seemingly inert ingredients, and producing something with them that is a flavorful, inebriating, and living thing that I could enjoy alone or share with others as I chose to. What's more, I have grown to sincerely enjoy the culture that thrives in the home brewing community, and have developed deep desire to learn as much as I can about beer and it's multifold iterations.
Anyway, that's my thing. I guess a good place for you to start would be by just picking something that you find interesting or are curious about, and dive right in. You don't have to stick with the first thing you try, and you don't have to use your hobby as a social outlet (but many hobbies are great for exactly that). Have fun.
posted by Pecinpah at 2:13 PM on July 19, 2012
I have always liked beer well enough, but at one point I had a roommate who mentioned that he knew how to brew beer. The idea was utterly foreign to me at first; I'd never even heard of anyone making their own beer before. I wondered if it was legal, I wondered where the carbonation would come from, I wondered what kind of beer I might want to brew, and what kinds of beer even existed for that matter. So we pitched in together and bought some brewing equipment and brewed up a batch of pale ale. It was amazing, and I was instantly hooked.
For me, the fun is not only in drinking the finished product (which, I'll admit, I love doing), but in taking a series of raw, seemingly inert ingredients, and producing something with them that is a flavorful, inebriating, and living thing that I could enjoy alone or share with others as I chose to. What's more, I have grown to sincerely enjoy the culture that thrives in the home brewing community, and have developed deep desire to learn as much as I can about beer and it's multifold iterations.
Anyway, that's my thing. I guess a good place for you to start would be by just picking something that you find interesting or are curious about, and dive right in. You don't have to stick with the first thing you try, and you don't have to use your hobby as a social outlet (but many hobbies are great for exactly that). Have fun.
posted by Pecinpah at 2:13 PM on July 19, 2012
I picked up running 2.5 years ago, and have completed 5 half marathons and one full. Medals are damn pretty!
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:16 PM on July 19, 2012
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 2:16 PM on July 19, 2012
Sign up for classes in the evenings. That way you're in a group of people with similar interests.
There are tons of evening classes held through extension programs or community colleges and whatnot.
Conversational Spanish, Guitar, Tax Preparation, Historical Buildings, Feng Shui. (These are evening adult ed classes I took at some point in my life.)
Join a gym, or get into a regular walking habit. Stroll your neighborhood, get to know all the dogs on your route.
Zumba classes might be your thing. Or other dance classes. Great way to meet prospective dates. +1,000,000 if you're a dude. Dudes are always wanting in dance classes.
I took ice hockey lessons and joined a league because I watched a lot of Hockey while on a business trip in Canada. Playing league ice hockey was AWESOME!
Go to Pub Trivia (or pizza trivia, or sports bar trivia) see if you can get some folks to join your team or see if you can join theirs, or take a couple of people from work. Go regularly and win some, you'll make friends.
Volunteer somewhere. My sister enjoys holding babies in the NICU at a large urban hospital. You might like Habitat for Humanity. Maybe you want to walk dogs at the local shelter, or foster animals with a rescue organization. The software I use has a board where you can sign up to help non-profits use the software. Be a Big Brother.
Coach little league or pop warner or soccer. Head up boy scouts. Most organization need responsible adults to help wrangle kids. You don't even really need to know too much about the sport, they need adult, warm bodies to keep all those wriggling monsters in line.
Join a religous organization that has fun events. A UU church if you're not all that religious. They have tons of ancillary meetings during the week. I joined the choir, I was on lots of committees, I went to my interst group meeting every week.
Go to a drum circle.
I mean, I could go on and on. (In remembering all of this, BOY did I have fun!)
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 2:20 PM on July 19, 2012
There are tons of evening classes held through extension programs or community colleges and whatnot.
Conversational Spanish, Guitar, Tax Preparation, Historical Buildings, Feng Shui. (These are evening adult ed classes I took at some point in my life.)
Join a gym, or get into a regular walking habit. Stroll your neighborhood, get to know all the dogs on your route.
Zumba classes might be your thing. Or other dance classes. Great way to meet prospective dates. +1,000,000 if you're a dude. Dudes are always wanting in dance classes.
I took ice hockey lessons and joined a league because I watched a lot of Hockey while on a business trip in Canada. Playing league ice hockey was AWESOME!
Go to Pub Trivia (or pizza trivia, or sports bar trivia) see if you can get some folks to join your team or see if you can join theirs, or take a couple of people from work. Go regularly and win some, you'll make friends.
Volunteer somewhere. My sister enjoys holding babies in the NICU at a large urban hospital. You might like Habitat for Humanity. Maybe you want to walk dogs at the local shelter, or foster animals with a rescue organization. The software I use has a board where you can sign up to help non-profits use the software. Be a Big Brother.
Coach little league or pop warner or soccer. Head up boy scouts. Most organization need responsible adults to help wrangle kids. You don't even really need to know too much about the sport, they need adult, warm bodies to keep all those wriggling monsters in line.
Join a religous organization that has fun events. A UU church if you're not all that religious. They have tons of ancillary meetings during the week. I joined the choir, I was on lots of committees, I went to my interst group meeting every week.
Go to a drum circle.
I mean, I could go on and on. (In remembering all of this, BOY did I have fun!)
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 2:20 PM on July 19, 2012
What kind of things did you do when you were younger?
This is the question I asked myself when I was trying to find a new hobby recently. I used to race RC cars competitively when I was in high school and a bit in college. I gave it up back then because it was expensive and time consuming, but it was something I loved doing. Now that I have more time on my hands, it was the perfect thing to go back to. I especially like that it has a physical hands-on element (I get to build a thing! With tools!) and a community of people who get together to race.
posted by mullacc at 2:31 PM on July 19, 2012
This is the question I asked myself when I was trying to find a new hobby recently. I used to race RC cars competitively when I was in high school and a bit in college. I gave it up back then because it was expensive and time consuming, but it was something I loved doing. Now that I have more time on my hands, it was the perfect thing to go back to. I especially like that it has a physical hands-on element (I get to build a thing! With tools!) and a community of people who get together to race.
posted by mullacc at 2:31 PM on July 19, 2012
Make a list of 100 things you want to do before you die. Then pick one thing at a time to do until you find something that sticks. That was my motivation to start doing things that didn't involve books or the internet.
This is how I started kayaking, went camping for the first time, tried wheel thrown pottery and more.
Of these, kayaking in my thing. I started by taking cheap group tours at a nearby state park. Most tours are designed for complete novices and I was amazed how easy it was.
Go pick something and just do it!
posted by Requiax at 2:35 PM on July 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is how I started kayaking, went camping for the first time, tried wheel thrown pottery and more.
Of these, kayaking in my thing. I started by taking cheap group tours at a nearby state park. Most tours are designed for complete novices and I was amazed how easy it was.
Go pick something and just do it!
posted by Requiax at 2:35 PM on July 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
For awhile, thrift shopping was my hobby. I started in high school because some of my friends introduced me. Driving around town, the thrill of the cool score, seeing some weird stuff, adding to my collections. I gave it up once I started working full time because my weekend had to be dedicated to other things, and I also reached a point where I stopped wanting so many knick-knacks and collections around me.
I took up knitting, I admit, because it was becoming quite trendy in my larger social circles. I've always been an artsy person, and was taught to crochet when small, and my grandmother was a knitter so I felt fairly intrigued. I tried to teach myself a few times from a book, but the static photos weren't quite enough. Once I discovered how-to knitting videos on the internet, I started figuring it out and getting better.
I keep up with the hobby because I enjoy the process, and there is always another yarn or pattern to try, another article to read, or magazine to buy for pretty pictures. And over the years, it's gone from a solitary pursuit to one I do with knitting friends I've made.
My newest hobby is art journaling. As I said, I was kinda artsy, and I did an art degree in college. However, work and socializing took my free time and for many years (many, many years) I didn't do much creative except for knitting.
Then about a year ago, I got a wild hair to try a painting technique I learned in college. I did some small works with that, and somehow stumbled across something called Zentangle on-line, which is an organized doodle technique. I did Zentangles for a few weeks, and read tons about them on-line.From there, I found the idea of art journaling, which is much less regimented than Zentangle. I bought a small journal and some paints in March.
Every night I try to sit down for a few minutes and do a little sketching, painting, or collage. Sometimes, if I'm not inspired, I just organize my supplies (I like organzing.) I'm using the art journal as a way to create without consequences - I try to stifle my inner critic and I don't share the journals with anyone.
In the fall, I'm thinking of taking some art classes, maybe watercolor. I've also done a few glass art classes with a friend that were amazing! Glass art isn't a hobby I want to do at home, but the classes were fun.
posted by Squeak Attack at 2:44 PM on July 19, 2012 [4 favorites]
I took up knitting, I admit, because it was becoming quite trendy in my larger social circles. I've always been an artsy person, and was taught to crochet when small, and my grandmother was a knitter so I felt fairly intrigued. I tried to teach myself a few times from a book, but the static photos weren't quite enough. Once I discovered how-to knitting videos on the internet, I started figuring it out and getting better.
I keep up with the hobby because I enjoy the process, and there is always another yarn or pattern to try, another article to read, or magazine to buy for pretty pictures. And over the years, it's gone from a solitary pursuit to one I do with knitting friends I've made.
My newest hobby is art journaling. As I said, I was kinda artsy, and I did an art degree in college. However, work and socializing took my free time and for many years (many, many years) I didn't do much creative except for knitting.
Then about a year ago, I got a wild hair to try a painting technique I learned in college. I did some small works with that, and somehow stumbled across something called Zentangle on-line, which is an organized doodle technique. I did Zentangles for a few weeks, and read tons about them on-line.From there, I found the idea of art journaling, which is much less regimented than Zentangle. I bought a small journal and some paints in March.
Every night I try to sit down for a few minutes and do a little sketching, painting, or collage. Sometimes, if I'm not inspired, I just organize my supplies (I like organzing.) I'm using the art journal as a way to create without consequences - I try to stifle my inner critic and I don't share the journals with anyone.
In the fall, I'm thinking of taking some art classes, maybe watercolor. I've also done a few glass art classes with a friend that were amazing! Glass art isn't a hobby I want to do at home, but the classes were fun.
posted by Squeak Attack at 2:44 PM on July 19, 2012 [4 favorites]
Get good at pool! It's fun, it's easy to chat / play with people at (some) pool halls or bars, and you look cool once you get even marginally good. Getting marginally good just takes a bit of time, but man is it challenging to actually get good. Surely there are meetups for such things as well.
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 3:11 PM on July 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by bessel functions seem unnecessarily complicated at 3:11 PM on July 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
I used to be like you. I stayed indoors all the time and played computer games. About a year ago I made a conscious decision to go out more and I've been pretty successful at it. I'm not very good at making friends but that usually isn't my primary goal when I go out.
I live near a major city (DC) which helps a lot. There is always stuff going on that I can join for free, or for a low fee, or for a high fee. The hard part is finding out that it's happening at all.
The website Meetup is a great place to start since it has a ton of members. You can pick some broad categories and narrow down from there. Events like hiking and dining have broad appeal and are popular. And you don't have to be a great conversationalist to have fun at these sort of events. I'm also interested in music concerts, film screenings, gallery walks, and anything related to beer. You don't even necessarily have to go to a meetup event. You can just check out the place on your own free time once you find out about it. I do this all the time for hiking events at national parks (which is a great excuse to practice photography).
This will introduce you to venues that frequently hold events, and these venues typically have mailing lists you can subscribe to. You might find a low key music club that showcases a lot of bands you like, or you find a cultural center that screens a lot of foreign films you'd otherwise never even hear about.
I also aggressively scour newspapers and magazines that list events. Your city probably has publications or blogs for this. Again I'm lucky to live near DC because there are so many things going on that I'm interested in and I just don't have the time to check out everything.
It's pretty rare now that I don't do at least one new thing on a weekend.
posted by rq at 3:29 PM on July 19, 2012 [2 favorites]
I live near a major city (DC) which helps a lot. There is always stuff going on that I can join for free, or for a low fee, or for a high fee. The hard part is finding out that it's happening at all.
The website Meetup is a great place to start since it has a ton of members. You can pick some broad categories and narrow down from there. Events like hiking and dining have broad appeal and are popular. And you don't have to be a great conversationalist to have fun at these sort of events. I'm also interested in music concerts, film screenings, gallery walks, and anything related to beer. You don't even necessarily have to go to a meetup event. You can just check out the place on your own free time once you find out about it. I do this all the time for hiking events at national parks (which is a great excuse to practice photography).
This will introduce you to venues that frequently hold events, and these venues typically have mailing lists you can subscribe to. You might find a low key music club that showcases a lot of bands you like, or you find a cultural center that screens a lot of foreign films you'd otherwise never even hear about.
I also aggressively scour newspapers and magazines that list events. Your city probably has publications or blogs for this. Again I'm lucky to live near DC because there are so many things going on that I'm interested in and I just don't have the time to check out everything.
It's pretty rare now that I don't do at least one new thing on a weekend.
posted by rq at 3:29 PM on July 19, 2012 [2 favorites]
I collect and tend to houseplants/patio plants. It doesn't have to be a social hobby, but here's how it can be:
I particularly enjoy growing them from free cuttings acquired from friendly strangers. Plants are a good conversation starter and then sometimes you get a little piece of something they've tended to for years; it helps forge a permanent discussion topic between the two of you.
Conversations also start on my porch with neighbors and especially neighbors' kids about my collection.
posted by vegartanipla at 4:18 PM on July 19, 2012
I particularly enjoy growing them from free cuttings acquired from friendly strangers. Plants are a good conversation starter and then sometimes you get a little piece of something they've tended to for years; it helps forge a permanent discussion topic between the two of you.
Conversations also start on my porch with neighbors and especially neighbors' kids about my collection.
posted by vegartanipla at 4:18 PM on July 19, 2012
what did you do when you were young? What activities did your parents put you in that you loved or hated? Start there. That will help you eliminate things you don't like and figure out what you do like.
Also, what do you do online? What subjects are you reading about? What games are you playing? This should help you identify your interests too.
I would look up meet up groups that relate to the things you like or sign up for activities for adults that relate to the activities you liked as a child.
posted by superfille at 4:40 PM on July 19, 2012
Also, what do you do online? What subjects are you reading about? What games are you playing? This should help you identify your interests too.
I would look up meet up groups that relate to the things you like or sign up for activities for adults that relate to the activities you liked as a child.
posted by superfille at 4:40 PM on July 19, 2012
I agree with everyone who says to try a lot of different things, but I do believe that birding in particular is really good for obsessives (not saying you are one, but I certainly am) who need to step away from the screen. Your eyes and ears will be thoroughly engaged.
I've been interested in birds for years; I think it's in the genes. My dad used to be able to whistle at baby birds and they would eventually wind up on the brim of his cap. He didn't pass that particular brand of necromancy on to me, unfortunately. But I've really been getting into birding walks and education over the last year or so.
Audubon has chapters all over the States that sponsor programs and walks, and there are a lot of small independent birding clubs around too. The Brookline Bird Club, my local indie birding club, costs $15 a year and the many trips are largely free of charge. There are Yahoo groups and listservs so you can stay informed of local sightings; this is important for being able to check out rarities when they are around. Best of all, you'll be outdoors and getting exercise. And you will meet a pretty diverse group of people, too.
With a decent pair of binoculars (mine cost $110 or so), some good walking shoes, a good birding guide (Sibley seems to be the first choice these days), and some bug repellent, you're all set.
posted by Currer Belfry at 4:54 PM on July 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
I've been interested in birds for years; I think it's in the genes. My dad used to be able to whistle at baby birds and they would eventually wind up on the brim of his cap. He didn't pass that particular brand of necromancy on to me, unfortunately. But I've really been getting into birding walks and education over the last year or so.
Audubon has chapters all over the States that sponsor programs and walks, and there are a lot of small independent birding clubs around too. The Brookline Bird Club, my local indie birding club, costs $15 a year and the many trips are largely free of charge. There are Yahoo groups and listservs so you can stay informed of local sightings; this is important for being able to check out rarities when they are around. Best of all, you'll be outdoors and getting exercise. And you will meet a pretty diverse group of people, too.
With a decent pair of binoculars (mine cost $110 or so), some good walking shoes, a good birding guide (Sibley seems to be the first choice these days), and some bug repellent, you're all set.
posted by Currer Belfry at 4:54 PM on July 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
While you're at the computer, head to meetup.com. Browse groups in your area and join any group that looks remotely interesting. They will send you email about their events, and one day there will be an event that strikes your fancy. This is all pretty passive, but it's also a way to start where you already are.
posted by Jane Austen at 8:19 AM on July 21, 2012
posted by Jane Austen at 8:19 AM on July 21, 2012
I wanted to get some excercise, but I hate the treadmill; so I joined an indoor rock climbing gym. I took a beginner class, and met some nice folks. I found a steady rock climbing partner, and we'd meet up twice a week to climb.
I like rock climbing because it's kind of like vertical yoga + puzzles. Low impact, great workout, and keeps your mind engaged. You only need one climbing partner so there's not too much of a social element. It's also harder to flake out because you have another person that's relying on you to be there.
Best of luck.
posted by blahtsk at 11:10 AM on July 21, 2012
I like rock climbing because it's kind of like vertical yoga + puzzles. Low impact, great workout, and keeps your mind engaged. You only need one climbing partner so there's not too much of a social element. It's also harder to flake out because you have another person that's relying on you to be there.
Best of luck.
posted by blahtsk at 11:10 AM on July 21, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by smidgen at 2:04 PM on July 19, 2012 [2 favorites]