How to Start a New Hobby

Everybody has something they love to do for fun outside of work. They’re called hobbies, and they make life more interesting. Recreational hobbies are the pastimes of life that keep us going when we need a break from work and school. Anyone at any age can pick up a new hobby or learn a fun new skill, and it doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny. Hartford United Methodist Church offers the following resources to enhance your free time by trying a new hobby on a budget.

From Hobby to Profitable Business

It's time to consider going from investing time and money in a hobby to building your side hustle or full-time business. Spend some time determining whether it would generate enough revenue for it to make sense as a business, and if pencils out, one of the first steps is to create a legal business entity and register it with your state.

There are a number of business types recognized, but one with tax favorability, lower paperwork, and flexibility is an LLC. Services are available to help you set it up properly (without paying hefty attorney fees), and a Michigan LLCcan be created and registered relatively quickly.

Audio

You may have played a musical instrument in your younger years, but today is the day to start again (or start anew). Music stimulates your mind and soothes your emotions, along with boosting your confidence. There’s no reason to not learn to play an instrument. Music is a hobby that requires a small investment in the beginning to purchase your instrument, but it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Check your local music stores for sales, or look online for discounts on instruments. If you decide to take lessons, you can find affordable lessons through music schools that offer discounts. Some schools even offer online lessons, or you can opt to take in-person lessons in group classes or private instruction. As you improve your skills, consider starting a band with other students.

Athletics

Sports aren’t just for kids, students, and professional athletes. Adults can get into athletics like golf or tennis, or you can join an adult recreational league for team sports like softball, kickball, soccer, rugby, or dodgeball. Do an online search for local leagues near you, or check Meetup.com. You can easily get started with athletic wear and balls/bats/rackets/clubs. The cost of sports equipment like golf clubs might scare you, but coupons can help you get these items at a lower price. You can easily find worthwhile promotionsand cashback rewards online for retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods. You can also rent equipment when you’re first starting out to avoid making the commitment.

If you’re not into competitive sports, don’t have buddies to play with, or can’t commit to a team schedule, you can enjoy hobbies like walking, swimming or hiking. Your local gym or community center will likely have a pool. And walking is free and accessible anywhere by anyone, so able-bodied folks have no excuse to not strap on those sneakers and take a stroll down the street.

Art

Remember how much fun you had while crafting as a kid? Maybe you grew up and realized that you weren’t as artistic as your parents thought, so you quit doing anything artsy. Or, maybe you’ve always been artsy but you’re just too busy with life to have a side project. Well, make yourself un-busy and start crafting again! Your craft could be anything: pottery, jewelry making, sewing, felt craft, beading, painting, cross-stitching, crocheting, paper art, candle making, soap making, bath bombs, or scrapbooking.

You don’t even have to be good at your craft. You just have to enjoy it and feel good about what you’re doing. If you get great at it, try selling your crafts online. Plus, stores like Hobby Lobby frequently have retail coupons so you can pick up supplies on a budget. As you’re learning a new skill, check online for tutorials or see if a local craft store has classes. You could also host craft nights with friends.

Hobbies are the things you do because you want to, not because you need to. They’re purely optional, and they should bring you positive feelings. Try something that piques your interest. If you don’t like it, try something new — and you can get some of your fellow church goers to help you find the perfect hobby! You don’t have to be naturally gifted to start a new hobby. As you practice, you’ll improve your skills. Even if you never become an ace at it, you still get an A for effort. 

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