A lot of people, when they have a lot of time on their hands, don’t want to just sit around and watch Netflix. They’d rather be doing something they feel is productive or more beneficial to them in some way. That’s why they’ll look for a hobby… look for something they feel puts all these spare hours to worthwhile use. Below is a look at some of the hobbies you might like to try, plus some of the best books to learn about them.
Blogging
Blogging is an excellent hobby to pursue, allowing you to share your thoughts and ideas and generally get creative. Best of all, you don’t have to be a professional writer to do. It’s also a good way to learn about websites and get to grips with technology.
“Blogging All-in-One for Dummies” is one of the best titles around if you’re just starting out. The book explains all the basics in simple language and covers practically every blogging topic imaginable. As you progress, you can expand your blogging skills.
Playing Blackjack
Blackjack is a relatively straightforward game to play and a highly enjoyable way of spending time. Learn the blackjack playing rules well enough and you can really go on to master the game.
“Sklansky Talks Blackjack” is something of a classic and a superb book to learn the game. If you play poker, you’ll likely have already heard of David Sklansky. In the book, he’s straightforward, entertaining and explains the math behind decisions. He also covers lots of different hands.
Gardening
Gardening is a relaxing way to spend time, making you happier, burning calories, giving you a sense of purpose and also creating a connection with nature, to name just a few of the benefits.
“The Well-Tempered Garden” is a beautiful book on gardening, packed with insights, enabling you to learn the basics of gardening. The later writer of the book, Christopher Lloyd, and his home and garden, Great Dixter, in East Sussex, are loved by many. The writing is warm, humorous and reveals a deep knowledge of gardening.
Playing an Instrument
Learning to play is one of the most challenging types of hobby but also one of the most relaxing. Playing an instrument can bring you and others joy as well.
“Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course,” from the Alfred’s brand, which has been publishing piano books since 1922, is one of the best books for anyone looking to learn the piano playing steps. In it, you’ll learn basic techniques and receive the guidance to practice correctly. There’s also lots of information about chords, including how to form them and play them.
Origami
Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It’s fun, creative and improves hand-eye coordination. You can learn to create animals, plants and other inspiring folds, all out of paper.
“Everyone Can Learn Origami” is a good place to start to learn origami. The book teaches you all the main folds and techniques, and then provides you with 77 different traditional models so that you can practice them. The diagrams are detailed, but they’re also easy to follow. As you progress through the different models, you’ll develop better paper folding skills and be able to fold more and more complex designs.
Handicrafts
Getting creative with handicrafts is good for you, whether it’s knitting, crocheting, sewing or other crafts. These hobbies relieve stress, lift your mood and improve your cognitive abilities. They’re also fun and, when you see what you’ve created, rewarding.
“Knitting Rules” is an enjoyable collection of advice, both practical and emotional, for anyone who picks up a pair of knitting needles. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the author, looks at some of the mysteries around knitting, including tangled yarns and confusing patterns; challenges long-standing rules of knitting; and encourages you to knit in the way that suits you. The book is both enlightening and inspiring, as well as full of interesting ideas.
Cookery
Although some see cookery as a chore, it’s also something you can turn into an amazing hobby. It’s a chance to get creative, it’s not too expensive and you can use it to bond with friends and family. Few things are as enjoyable as sitting down to a home-cooked meal.
“Dishoom: From Bombay With Love” comes from the restaurant Dishoom, popular with London foodies, and is packed with the recipes that have made it a hit. If you see a recipe you want to recreate, you can then go to the online store and order the ingredients. The dishes are highly flavorsome and the different spices in them will help to make you a real hit if you’re cooking for a crowd.
The hobbies above are just a few different ways you could fill the time. Other hobbies you might wish to consider include yoga, hiking, running, scrapbooking, dancing, cheese making or home brewing.
