Hobby recommendations?

[rubecube]

Just curious as to what people on CP do for hobbies. I'm trying to find more things to do on the weekends/weekday evenings that aren't just me going out and getting wasted with my friends but I'm feeling kind of stumped. It doesn't help that I have the fine-motor skills of a toddler, so anything that's kind of arts & crafts, building stuff, etc., is pretty well out.

I guess the things I primarily do are video games and exercise (either going to the gym, running, or drop-in sports) but I find that still leaves me with a lot of free time. Been debating trying to learn a new language or maybe taking some investment classes.

[Fuzz]

Build a garage!



I like to make beer as well, when I can find the time.

[lazypucker]

Part-time work, volunteering, shovel snow and mowing lawns for the old lady who live across the street...many things you can do.

[prarieboy]

You're in Victoria. Really long Golf season there.

[CroFlames]

I'm a hobby woodworker and I get a great feeling of accomplishment when I finish a project. I also get great feelings of anxiety because I'm slow and my finishes are never as good as pro woodworkers so I do not recommend this hobby. It's like golf - no matter how good you get, you are still pissed off you aren't better. For me, anyway.


Making beer is fun. Funner that wine making IMO.



Having kids is a great way to eat up some time.

[Coach]

Maybe working on those motorskills would be something to take up? Maybe an art class or pottery or something along those lines?

That language is a good idea if you have ambition for it. I've thought about that myself. Apparently Duolingo is a great way to learn.

If you like exercise, maybe try doing something specific that you've never done? I was getting bored with just regular workouts and took boxing lessons for a year or so. I loved it.

Maybe an instrument if you've ever had that desire?

[Kybosh]

Do you have any big dreams you want to do? Why not make those dreams a quantifiable goal, then develop hobbies around achieving those goals? For example, "I want to summit Cotopaxi" or something then joint the Alpine Club, start climbing, join hiking groups etc.

[troutman]

Flyfishing, learn an instrument, boardgames, volunteer with music festival or community radio, shinny.

[CaptainCrunch]

Ship in a bottle.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Having kids is a great way to eat up some time.

Got the old rip, snip, and clip, so that one is definitely out of the question.

[bc-chris]

i find these things keep me busy...
play hockey
play bass guitar in a band
mod my truck
doing stuff for our house (reno a room, build bunk beds for the kids, build cabinets for the garage, etc. ...my wife is always adding to the list!)
charcoal smoker - make beef jersey, ribs, brisket, smoked burgers (sooo good), chicken, turkey, etc, etc, etc!!

[OMG!WTF!]

I think about this a lot too. I spend a lot of time with what I recently learned was retail arbitrage. I love finding things I can resell for profit. It's fun and fills the addictive urge for collecting and shopping.



What fills the time best and makes me happiest is creativity. I know it's cliche but when you're actually creative, not just coloring or gluing models together, when you really put something on the planet that wasn't there before and it's good, time truly flies by.



Investing is a great idea. It was my hobby in 2012 and now it's my income and the only thing I need to do. There's a lot to learn there but easily achievable.



Animals are a great holiday from reality for me. Starting little businesses is also a fun hobby. I joined the Rover app or whatever app works for dog walking, and now I go walk people's dogs once in a while. It's actually kind of fun. People suck but dogs don't.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by prarieboy

You're in Victoria. Really long Golf season there.

Yeah, I own a set of a clubs but I don't own a vehicle nor really any need to own one. It doesn't completely rule out golf, but it gets to be a more expensive hobby if you're taking cabs to and from the course.

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by troutman

Flyfishing, learn an instrument, boardgames, volunteer with music festival or community radio, shinny.

Totally fly fishing. I know lots of amateur athletes, including myself, who fly fish on "rest days". It's awesome.

[Puppet Guy]

I have to stump for model-making and sculpting. They taught me how to develop my own awful fine-motor skills. And also taught me patience.


...and yes, ship in a bottle at least helps you feel better about alcoholism.

[TheIronMaiden]

painting every now and then is a good hobby because it is relaxing.It pairs well with watching sports and chatting with friends, or listening to tunes.

Learning and instrument is fun if you are patient and enjoy repetitive tasks. Guitar is probably the cheapest and most accessible option.

If I could chose a new hobby it would likely be coding or something useful like that. I like the idea of making a story driven game or something like that.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

Animals are a great holiday from reality for me. Starting little businesses is also a fun hobby. I joined the Rover app or whatever app works for dog walking, and now I go walk people's dogs once in a while. It's actually kind of fun. People suck but dogs don't.

This would actually be great. I didn't realize there was such an app.

[OutOfTheCube]

Cooking / baking, beyond the obvious necessity of it, can be fun hobby type things as well. Takes up a lot of time, teaches or enhances a valuable life skill, and leaves you with a tangible thing to enjoy. Also something that impresses women pretty much universally. And men. And family. Everybody is impressed by delicious food and baking.

I'd love to have more free time for hobbies -- I barely get in to the "video games" part of it before I'm pulled away by commitments (wife, kids, work, etc.)

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

I think about this a lot too. I spend a lot of time with what I recently learned was retail arbitrage. I love finding things I can resell for profit. It's fun and fills the addictive urge for collecting and shopping.



What fills the time best and makes me happiest is creativity. I know it's cliche but when you're actually creative, not just coloring or gluing models together, when you really put something on the planet that wasn't there before and it's good, time truly flies by.



Investing is a great idea. It was my hobby in 2012 and now it's my income and the only thing I need to do. There's a lot to learn there but easily achievable.



Animals are a great holiday from reality for me. Starting little businesses is also a fun hobby. I joined the Rover app or whatever app works for dog walking, and now I go walk people's dogs once in a while. It's actually kind of fun. People suck but dogs don't.

What's the best first step to go from weekend warrior type investor to someone who understands markets? I want this to be my new hobby so I can get away from the evils of building things.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Mine may not be quite as popular but I really enjoy them.

1) Building/flying drones. Not as easy as it used to be but building drones taught me basic electronics and soldering skills. Years of PC gaming made learning to fly FPV fairly easy. I absolutely LOVE flying around on warm summer days, even winter days and watching the footage after. Smaller "racing" style drones and the larger, more stable drones with higher end video equipment both produce very fun video to watch.

2) Target shooting. Own a decent variety of firearms. Several I've built myself. Also assemble my own ammunition. This taught me to pay VERY close attention to detail. The range I have a membership at is outdoors so warm summer nights are very nice. Shooting also teaches you slow, methodical breathing and keeping still/calm.

Like I said, not for all. Seems my hobbies tend to go against the grain but I really do enjoy them.

Oh....and of course...PC gaming SO Much fun.