How to Find a Hobby in 2025

Struggling to find a hobby that interests you? Learn why hobbies matter and how to choose a new hobby.

Hobbies are the crux of many conversations these days. What you do for fun in your spare time can become more of a topic of interest than where you’re from or what you do for a living in social interactions. Modern society sees longer working hours and more personal struggles, meaning so many look for an escape from the daily grind. It’s no wonder that people find more interest in your avenue of escape rather than parley with the traditional questions and answers of small talk.

However, hobbies today are more than just a conversation starter. They have become a pillar of our overall well-being. There are plenty of people in the world who want to reap the positive effects that hobbies can provide. However, they might struggle to find one that yields their desired goals. We designed this extensive guide to help those looking for a hobby find their perfect activity, regardless of their background or circumstances. Let’s get started with your journey, beginning with understanding why hobbies are important.

Why are hobbies important?

Hobbies are important because of the positive impact they can have on the individual who integrates them into their life. Global health institutions and society in general place well-being as one of the most vital concerns for an individual.

So much of the world’s population adopts hobbies because of their irrefutable positive contributions to our happiness and well-being. Harvard Health Publishing conducted a study of the impact of hobbies on over 93,000 people across 16 countries, finding that those who engaged with them saw better health and positivity, with less depression and higher life satisfaction.

Hobbies can not only contribute to better physical and mental health but also offer avenues for personal growth. Engaging in activities associated with interests and passions can build skills, social connections, careers and even provide some compensation for efforts. There are plenty of reasons why one would take on a hobby. However, not everyone finds it easy to find an activity that can yield the positive impact they may seek.

I need to find a hobby. Why is it so hard?

Many people searching for hobbies often wonder why they find it so hard, especially when observing how their peers easily get involved in activities. However, difficulty finding a hobby is not uncommon, especially considering the different life circumstances and personality types. One of the leading struggles behind finding a hobby is people worrying about how they are taking precious time from their lives to make room for a new activity. When you already have existing responsibilities, they consider whether it’s feasible to dedicate time to a hobby that may not produce anything of perceived value. Other reasons include setting high expectations for themselves, such as taking up new activities that showcase their capabilities and expecting perfection right away. An example of this would be taking up figure skating and expecting yourself to be doing triple camel spins within the first five minutes of trying.

Many share this sentiment, citing some of the main reasons below as to why it’s hard to find a hobby:

The difficulties behind starting something new
Getting put off by the learning curve of a particular activity
Facing “analysis paralysis“, getting stuck on choosing a hobby or how to start
Believing you don’t have the time or funds for the hobby
No personal or social value to your hobbies

Despite the difficulties of finding a hobby, the benefits of undertaking a new activity can have a significantly positive effect.

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What are the benefits of finding a hobby?

Studies show that undergoing leisure activities can positively impact a person’s physical and psychological well-being. It’s one of the main reasons why a person would spend time searching for their perfect hobby.

While health is one of the core drivers behind finding hobbies, many would express other benefits behind the activities:

Personal fulfilment: Finding a hobby and incorporating it into a routine can provide a sense of purpose and accomplishment for an individual beyond their life responsibilities. Expressing your passions and interests through your favorite activities can lead to personal fulfilment.
Stress reduction: Studies have shown that engaging in leisure activities leads to lower cortisol levels, indicating that hobbies can help reduce stress. Engaging in activities you enjoy can offer an escape from the pressures and responsibilities of daily life.
Improved mental health: Hobbies can significantly improve mental health by fostering a positive focus. They can both relax and stimulate the brain, boost confidence and help mitigate anxiety and depression.
Social opportunities: Numerous hobbies provide social connections with like-minded individuals who share similar interests or passions. Finding a hobby means that you can make new friends, discover support networks and get involved with a broader community. For those learning how to make friends as an introvert, hobbies provide natural opportunities for connection in various life situations.
Skills and knowledge: Finding a hobby can help develop new skills and knowledge, even if you’re only doing these activities for fun. Even if the value of your hobby isn’t immediately apparent, it may still offer personal development that can be useful in other areas of life.
Increased happiness: Engaging in activities you enjoy can contribute to a more general life satisfaction overall. The joy that hobbies bring can help elevate your daily mood, while also fostering a positive outlook on other aspects of your daily routine.

The benefits of finding a hobby could be even more focused, depending on the specific niche. Joining a running club could help you meet people who offer further career opportunities or playing a tabletop card game for fun could give you the skills to compete in a prize-driven tournament. The advantages of finding hobbies can be limitless, which makes the effort of finding your perfect activity worthwhile.

How to find a hobby as an adult or kid using 5 steps

As aforementioned, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to finding a hobby, considering everyone can have vastly different life circumstances and personalities. However, there are a few steps you can take to put you in control of your hobby search, starting with a simple list and then trialing the activity against your lifestyle. So, how do you find a new hobby that works for you? Here are five steps you can use:

1. Think about the things that interest or excite you the most

Every journey begins with the first step, where nothing changes in the search for a new hobby. Begin by considering things that rattle interest or excitement, or, as Marie Kondo, a renowned organizing consultant, puts it, “does it spark joy?”.

Don’t worry about conformity or the hobbies of your peers; this is all about you in the end. You could find collecting bottlecaps from different soft drinks interesting or get excited about beating your favorite video game in record time. The sky is the limit when you apply your interests and passions to potential hobbies. Jot down what excites you, no matter how small or obscure, creating the foundations of things you could turn into rewarding activities.

2. Translate interests into activities that you could see yourself doing

After you have a rough list of things you find interesting, it’s time to create a tree of potential activities you could do around those ideas. Remember, you don’t need to have a perfectionist attitude around those activities, so only think about things you’ll enjoy and benefit from. Let’s create an example where you’ve listed your favorite TV series, “Game of Thrones,” as one of the things that excites you the most. You could adore the characters, their personalities and their vibrant, on-screen aesthetic.

You also have an interest in learning to sew. Here, you can translate the two things you’ve listed into crafting costumes from the show, where you can learn a new skill, involve yourself with your favorite universe and then engage with the large fanbase, potentially sharing your creations, only getting better as you create more. List potential activities alongside one or more of the things that interest you, where we can then check if it’s feasible for your current lifestyle.

3. Ask yourself if the hobby benefits your current circumstances

It’s not uncommon for people to choose hobbies and then quickly abandon them because they don’t fit into their current life circumstances. Finding a hobby can be a trial-and-error process. Still, if you’re short on time and resources, we can help determine how to find your hobby with a few questions.

Can I financially afford this hobby?
Do I have the time for this hobby?
Will the resources I invest bring the results I want?
Can I easily integrate this hobby into my lifestyle?
Can I enjoy this without pressure?

If you’ve answered yes to all those questions, the hobby might be the perfect one. However, it can be hard to get a straight answer for these questions, as everyone’s circumstances can vary significantly.

4. Use online resources to narrow down potential hobbies

There may still be some considerations that could make you uncertain about undertaking a hobby. Even if your current circumstances fit into the activity, you still may have some reserves.

You can use online resources to find out more about your potential hobbies and the experiences others have with the activities. Nerd Culture is an expansive online platform where hobbyists from around the world gather in niche communities to connect and share their interests and passions, which can help you narrow down the community and activities that bring you the most joy.

Traditional online research and quizzes can also help you narrow down hobbies that you think best suit you. Joining forums and groups on social platforms can also get you involved in the community with little effort on your part.

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5. Start the activity and see how it goes

Now that you have your potentially perfect hobby, there’s nothing left but to try it out and see if it works for you. Again, we’ll reiterate that it’s essential not to have a perfectionist approach to these activities. Let’s revisit the Game of Thrones costumes example from sewing, where you could have very little knowledge of how to sew. Starting the hobby could be as simple as watching YouTube videos on how to thread two pieces of fabric together, eventually learning to make a small part of your favorite character’s costume. Once you’ve started the activity and find it’s having a positive impact on your life, you’ve found your perfect hobby.

How to find a hobby when nothing interests you

If you struggle to find interest or passion in anything, you’re not alone. Many people have various reasons why they can’t find the spark that others have for multiple things in life. Finding intriguing activities can be more challenging when you don’t have any interests. Examples include many who don’t know how to find a hobby when you’re depressed or have other impairing conditions.

Here are a few ways you can discover a hobby without interests:

Join someone else’s hobby

One of the best ways to find a hobby you like is to join an acquaintance’s activity and see if it interests you. You could ask to participate in a friend, family member or colleague’s activity and see if it has the positive results you seek.

Consider activities that can benefit you physically and mentally

You may struggle to find anything that offers genuine excitement or you may have a condition that makes taking an interest challenging. Consider researching activities that could benefit your physical and mental well-being, such as exercise-based hobbies. Undertaking these activities might help spark or restore enthusiasm for other hobbies you can pair with health-related ones.

Think about extra activities from school or work

If there are extracurricular activities at school or team-building exercises at work, consider joining them to see if they work for you. Joining existing programs can quickly turn into hobbies, eliminating the need to search for new interests when you’re not particularly interested in anything.

Take an online quiz on how to find hobbies

Another way to gauge a fitting activity without interests is to use online resources like quizzes to narrow down a workable hobby. Some digital questionnaires by leading publishers will prompt questions based on your lifestyle and circumstances, providing potential activities based on responses.

Help me find a hobby: common activities for adults and kids

Everyone has different ideas of what hobbies should look like and what they hope to gain from these new activities. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach and the possibilities are limitless; it’s all about what best suits your needs and circumstances. You have the foundations to help find and pick a hobby. However, you might want some inspiration to consider an activity that suits you. Let’s go over some of the most common adult hobby categories:

Physical

Physical hobbies can be great for your health, mental well-being and your social connections. Many people undertake these activities to help get in shape while challenging themselves in their abilities, whether in a solo or competitive arena.

Here are some of the most common physical hobbies:

Hiking and running: These activities can benefit both physical and mental health, improving cardiovascular state, aiding in weight loss and reducing stress. Hiking and running outdoors can also help improve your mood by fostering a connection to nature.
Competitive sports: Participating in competitive sports can offer a fun way to stay active and meet new people. Many people enjoy watching sports as spectators, but getting involved in a team can help them make new friends, improve their physical capabilities and boost their overall health.
Cycling: Cycling offers the same benefits as running and hiking, but is often more accessible to a broader age group because it requires less physical effort. People can undertake cycling as a mode of transportation, part of a club or as a health regimen.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects: Hands-on projects often help hobbyists remove themselves from the bustle of a digital world to focus on something more physical. DIY is an activity that can help people get moving with tangible results, such as household furniture or repairs.
Dance: This is a physical activity that combines expressionism with physical resilience, creating art while improving health. Dance is also a great way to connect with others and boost social confidence.
Acting and roleplaying: Acting and roleplaying as a hobby has become more popular in recent years, where people join clubs and groups to create their own fiction or reenact pieces from their favorite fandoms. These activities can promote movement through performance while also improving communication skills.

Creative

Creative hobbies are very popular among adults as a form of expression and outlet, helping them focus on creating things and whisk away the cares of the world. The resulting arts and crafts not only give hobbyists a sense of achievement, but often can become profitable side-hustles if others like what you create.

Popular hobbies in the creative field include:

Drawing and painting: Even in the age of digital and generative art, drawing and painting provide people with a calming, creative outlet to enjoy regularly. Hobbyists can create and share their works, whether it be general or part of a specific art style or trend.
Photography: Getting out and taking photographs is an excellent way to meet people, capture amazing moments and tell stories through a visual medium. In the age of the smartphone, many people take photography as a hobby to enjoy everyday moments in new ways.
Writing: Writing can take on many forms, from penning a blog to crafting an intricate story. It’s an activity that’s easy to begin and has endless development opportunities, where hobbyists can continue to explore different creative avenues and express themselves.
Craftwork: Crafting projects, such as jewelry and sculptures, can be a meditative hobby for those who enjoy focused activities. The personal rewards from the creations can also be beneficial, such as improved problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Digital design: The sheer number of digital tools today allows those without prior art skills to jump in and create works that express their interests. Digital design provides individuals seeking a hobby a quick way to start making art without limits.
Music: Creating sound is one of the oldest hobbies throughout time and remains highly relevant today. Music is one of the ultimate forms of expression, bringing joy not only to oneself but to the many others who may listen to your creations.

Academic

Where physical and creative hobbies may not suit a person’s interests or capabilities, there are plenty of intriguing academic or intellectual hobbies one can undertake. Many prefer activities that stretch and challenge the brain, improving knowledge and learning new skills that can open up doors of opportunity.

Academic hobbies include:

Languages: Those with interests in other countries and cultures can find much reward in learning languages as a hobby. Not only does it help improve communication skills, but it can also open other social circles to make new friends and acquaintances.
Programming: Writing code and compiling software present specific challenges that appeal to a logically driven brain. Programming as a hobby builds skills for practical applications and even career building.
Research: Many people enjoy research as a hobby to uncover the mysteries of our planet. Hobby researchers come in the form of historians, true crime investigators, scientists and more, using their time to share their findings and ideas with other interested groups.
Puzzles: Academic puzzles such as math problems, crosswords and brainteasers intrigue those searching for hobbies to test their minds and mental resilience. Puzzles can also help improve cognitive flexibility and concentration.
Quizzes: Many people base their hobbies around how much they know and how quickly they can answer questions. The quiz scene has experienced significant growth with the development of technology, where hobbyists get online to compete for fun or prizes regularly.

Social

Many people get involved in social hobbies due to their extroverted personality, seeking more human contact and new friends. Others may use the activities to improve their social skills and step outside their comfort zone to build new friendships.

Some prevalent social hobbies are:

Volunteering: Some people searching for hobbies often want to make an impact with their activities. Volunteering is a great way to give something back while gaining respect and building new life skills and friendships.
Social clubs: Social clubs come in many different sizes and niches, ranging from fandom meetups to large collectives for sports competitions. If you’re looking for a hobby to meet new people, local social clubs could be the perfect way to build those connections. Understanding what is nerd culture can help you identify communities that align with your interests.
Gaming: Video games have evolved from a small home hobby to a community arena driven by technological advancements. Those interested in finding video game friends can discover competitive multiplayer gaming and casual game events that offer opportunities to develop social groups. For tabletop gaming enthusiasts, there are communities dedicated to finding Dungeons and Dragons players and experienced adventurers to each one another. Many groups benefit from working with professional game masters who can guide new players through their first campaigns. Card game communities also offer fantastic social opportunities. Find local Magic: The Gathering groups and game stores that host regular tournaments and casual play sessions. Beyond MTG, there are thriving communities for those who want to play other trading card games where collectors and players gather to share their passion for strategic gameplay.
Entertainment events: Attending events such as theater and concerts can help create shared experiences that build connections with others. Hobbyists regularly attend these entertainment events to share opinions in social settings.

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Health and well-being

Another popular hobby category includes activities that help promote and improve health and well-being for themselves and others. Many like-minded hobbyists seek to make a habit of activities that will enhance their mental and physical well-being, while also making social connections and building skills along the way.

Habitual health and well-being activities include:

Yoga and meditation: Yoga and meditation are hobbies commonly associated with health and happiness, using the activity to find emotional well-being and mindfulness. The practice can also help improve physical flexibility and balance.
Exercise and gym: The gym has become more than just a hobby for those interested in health; it’s become a lifestyle. Exercise enthusiasts use the activity to find like-minded hobbyists, testing their limits and motivating themselves to get into the best shape of their lives.
Gardening: Working in the garden can be one of the most relaxing, peaceful hobbies for those looking for an escape from the rise-and-grind routine. The light physical movement combined with time spent outdoors can have a positive effect on health and well-being.
Self-care routines: Self-care routines, such as the 5Cs framework, can become a hobby shared among peers to help promote health and well-being. These activities can be a rewarding form of stress relief, too.

Tips on finding new hobbies

Finding hobbies can be challenging, but taking on a new activity in your life can be one of the most rewarding experiences. We’ve covered a lot of ground in why hobbies are important, their benefits, how to find one and some examples of everyday activities.

There are plenty of resources to help you find a new activity. However, if you want a quick roundup of how to pick the perfect hobby, ask yourself these questions:

What reasons do I have to start this particular hobby?
How much time do I need for this hobby?
Did I enjoy this hobby as a child?
What would help me get started on this hobby?
Why haven’t I done this before?
Would this hobby have a positive impact on my well-being?

Upon answering these questions about a potential hobby, you can gauge whether it suits your lifestyle and whether it can deliver the personal rewards you desire. Other helpful factors in picking an activity include starting small, being open and having a self-centered mindset, meaning that you shouldn’t feel guilty pursuing a hobby for yourself.

If you’re struggling with the social aspects of finding hobbies, there are many resources available to help you learn how to make friends through shared interests and activities. Students can find specific guidance on making friends in school, while those who have relocated might benefit from tips on making friends in a new city.

How to find hobbies you enjoy

Hobbies can have a profoundly positive impact on an individual’s life, improving mental and physical health while also providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment. They are becoming increasingly important in today’s bustling society, where finding one that perfectly fits your lifestyle can provide the escape you need.

However, finding the perfect hobby can be challenging, as everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why this guide aims to help those unsure of how to navigate the cluttered activity field to narrow down and discover suitable hobbies that bring all their associated positive life effects.

If you’re looking for a starting point to find your perfect hobby, Nerd Culture is a great way to discover relatable communities with intriguing activities.