“What do you like to do in your free time?”
So in case anyone asks that question, you’ll have a confident answer. As kids, we had tons of hobbies. Bike-riding, painting, colouring and conjuring up imaginary worlds with building blocks — the list goes on, and that’s because we had that much free time. As adults, we may find our free time during our time off or the festive holidays.
And for something so rare, aren’t they more precious? Whether you are looking to acquire a new hobby to perform solo or with a group of friends, we’ve curated a list of six new hobbies for you to dabble in. What better time to start something new than when entering a new year?
Kickstart the ‘new year, new you’ by picking up one of these hobbies:
Junk journaling
When we travel, we buy souvenirs to remember. But hear us out — the memories we make at home are equally valuable. It is the digital age, where we are constantly fed with new content every day. With such information overload, it can be easy to forget these fleeting but valuable memories. This is where junk journaling or scrapbooking comes in. If you find the task of recounting your day through the written word mundane, try collecting tokens and piecing them together in a notebook. From movie tickets and brochures to polaroids, pressed flowers, and cute animation on a napkin, anything could go on those pages.
Hiking
According to Strava’s annual Year In Sport: Trend Report, Gen Zs are opting for fitness groups rather than bars or clubs to make new friends. Activities like running, pickleball and bouldering are becoming more popular among the age group. For an activity less physically taxing but more challenging than walking, with a rewarding view at the finish line, hiking is a great way to reconnect with nature while getting those steps in.
Crocheting
Whenever writers or artists are experiencing a creative block, they are encouraged to perform brainless tasks to reduce stress and increase productivity.
Has work got your mind in a twist? Pick up a crochet hook and some yarn and get lost in the world of repetitive but therapeutic threading. From coin purses and bottle holders to cardigans and keychains, nothing gets you more hooked than a painstaking project that yields satisfying (and practical) results.
Nail art
Save yourself from an overpriced trip to the nail salon when you can get creative with a pretty set at home. It doesn’t take a steady hand or much experience with a brush when it comes to elevating your manicure look. A doodle of a flower and some polka dots with a few squiggly lines will have your nails looking oh-so chic. It’s basically painting, but your nails are the canvas.
Ceramics
Make gift-giving more personal and less stressful by crafting personalised clay art for your loved ones. For those looking to dip their toes in the world of clay-making but don’t know where to start, sign up for a class at your nearest studio for a guided, beginner-friendly experience. Trinket trays, earrings, mugs, fridge magnets — if you can dream it, you can make it.
You can check out these clay-making workshops in KL here:
Address: 8, Jln 1/60b, Taman Segambut Damai, KL
Address: Level-3A-01, 163 Retail Park, Inside Life Hot Yoga, 8, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, KL
Address: 19, Jalan SL 1/12, Bandar Sungai Long, 43000 Kajang, Selangor
Board games
For social butterflies, board games are a great way to pass the hours while garnering a few laughs. This social activity is perfect for ice-breaking at a gathering with an unfamiliar company or a get-together with old friends. Timeless games include Monopoly, Pictionary, Jenga, Scrabble, and Risk. However, if you are looking for something new and equally stimulating, we recommend Parks or Monikers.
You may check out Boardgame Depot.
Address: 16, Lorong Ara Kiri 3, Lucky Garden, 59100 Bangsar, KL
Featured image credit: Instagram/@martinamartian @22tutucraft
