12 New Hobbies to Try this Winter
Obviously now that it is getting colder, our outdoor hobbies that we picked up over the summer aren’t really in season anymore. The leaves have changed colors and started falling, and soon (depending on where you live) there will be snow on the ground. So now that we can’t go on walks without a billion layers on, what fun hobbies can we pick up to occupy our time? I am sure when the stay at home order was given, everyone picked up a new hobby, I mean everywhere sold out of puzzles back in May. Then it got warm out and everyone occupied their time with the outdoors. So now that it is getting cold again, I got the list for you! 12 new hobbies to try out this winter!
Scrapbooking
Scrapbooking seems super daunting but honestly it’s not hard at all and it can be super fun! It is a great way to reminisce in the past without just looking at photo albums. My boyfriend and I actually made each other scrapbooks for our 2 year anniversary and his turned out much better than mine. Scrapbooks are great because you can organize the photos any way you want and add other things that aren’t photos. I added tickets to formals we had attended and other small memories. It’s a meaningful gift or you can just keep it for yourself. I want to make a scrapbook of my time spent in college.. I’ve saved all my random tickets, notes and wrist bands to hopefully one day add to the scrapbook.
this is for a planner but you can do it for memories too!
Creating photo albums
Scrapbooking not your thing, no problem! If you still want to reminisce and organize the photos in your life, a photo album is a great way to do that! You can either print out the photos yourself and buy a black photo album or create your album on one of the many photo printing sites (linked below) and have them do it for you.
Knitting
Knitting is one of those hobbies I can't seem to get into. I’ve tried arm knitting and it didn’t end well. To arm knit you use your arms like the needles so the scarf or whatever you're making is attached to you until you’re done making it. Let’s just say I am glad I only made a scarf. The scarf I made is useful and keeps my neck warm but I wouldn't call it stylish… When I was making it with my mom, it was right around dinner time, so when dinner was ready I sorta just ate dinner with it attached to my arm. Then towards the end I ran out of yarn, which my mom said shouldn’t have happened. I actually should have had some left over. So knitting is not a hobby I will be picking up any time soon. But I have seen those super chunky blankets people are making and it doesn’t look too hard. So if you're still interested, I recommend starting out with that and then maybe working your way up to arm knitting.
Baking
I know a lot of people who started baking back in April when the stay at home order was first given out. I personally did not pick it up as my COVID-19 hobby. It was almost summer and I was focused on trying to get that swimsuit body ready. I thought the less sweets near me, the better. This was after my boyfriend and I made cupcakes and sat in bed eating 4 of them. SO after that I didn’t bake again. But now it's winter, it's cold outside, I need some more warmth. I got nowhere to be, maybe i will make a pie or cookies. Tasty has the best dessert recipes. I will link my favorites below!
Candle making
When I was younger, like in elementary school we made candles once for like colonial day, we all dressed up in colonial outfits and pretended we were in Jamestown for a day. We made those drip candles in super bright colors. Now, they sell kits so you can make candles in jars with scents! That is literally so cool! It's a custom candle that smells exactly how you want it to smell because you made it! How cool would it be to spend an afternoon making your own custom candle smell!! You need glass jars, wicks, wax, and essential oils. Here are a few kits I have found that seem good!
Sewing
I’ve never attempted to sew before. Like actually sew, I've fixed holes in leggings, sweaters, and pillows but they always get holes again. So I've never tried anything more advanced. However, I think sewing would be a super cool hobby to have. Like you could upcycle clothes you find at the thrift store. Make something new out of something old. It's a skill I wish I would do. If you have an eye for fashion I would definitely give sewing a try. Who knows, maybe you can make a business out of it.
Programing
During my junior year, I actually took a basic programming class. It was super confusing and I honestly don’t remember much but I super regret it. Programming is a skill that a lot of companies are looking for. Even making my blog website, I wish I remembered basic coding. You can build so much with coding; like a personal website for yourself, like a portfolio of all your work (a live resume) or in the future you could create a business out of this.
Journaling
Journaling is a great hobby to have. It has been found to have numerous mental health benefits. Some of which are; boosting your mood, enhancing your sense of well being, reducing symptoms of depression before a big event, improving memory, reducing anxiety, relaxation, and boosting creativity. Just to name a few benefits. When I was in school I had a professor (he was super out there, very mellow), he would have us journal every week. We could write lists, mindlessly right, doodle, basically anything. I always struggled with it because I didn't have anything to say. But now i realize you can literally get a journal with topics in it for you to write about. Or find some ideas on pinterest. Here is a few I have found to get your started:
Yoga/ Meditation
I love yoga! I definitely don’t do it enough. But there is something about just letting go everything in your life and only focusing on your breathing that is so relaxing. In college, I used to take a yoga class every Friday night before going out. I was so relaxed and ready for the weekend, It was great! As I got more involved with my sorority (adding more stress to my life) I started taking a yoga class for credit. It was the one time during the day that I didn’t have my phone or laptop with me. So I couldn’t do anything sorority related, it was a forced break from constantly messaging people. Did stuff happen when I put my phone down? Lol all the time. Was it worth it? Yes! Meditation goes hand and hand with yoga. It can be super hard to just focus on your breathing and let go of everything but once you do trust me it just helps so much!
Reading
Reading is a great way to spend your free time. Reading a fiction book can transport you to another world. Reading non-fiction can educate you on something you’ve always wondered about. Through reading you can learn a lot and even teach yourself something new!
Photography
In high school photography was my favorite elective to take. I think I took it for 3 years. I was not a good painter or drawer, but when I used a camera (and photoshop) I could create anything I wanted to. Nowadays our phone cameras are so advanced you don’t even need a real camera to take amazing pictures. You can just go outside and take pictures of nature or have a little photoshoot with friends. Either way you will take amazing photos and have fun!
Painting
So like I said before I am not the best painter… I finally figured out how to sorority craft last summer but that's about where my artist abilities stop. I learned that if you print out a photo on paper and then use a pencil to shade the back. You can then place your picture on a canvas (or cooler) and trace your image. After that it's just coloring in the lines. It makes it so easy and you can create some amazing pieces of art you never thought possible!
So just because it’s getting colder outside doesn’t mean we have to stay inside all bored and watch netflix. There’s so many different hobbies to try. I personally think I am gonna try candle making. What will you try?