Hobbies...looking for a new one. What are yours?

kloana

I'm looking for inspiration on new hobbies, pasttimes, and am wondering what yours are? I know it's ridiculous to attempt to 'steal' someone else's hobby idea, as it's likely that the hobbies of MSE'ers will include lots of stuff that doesn't interest me. But on the other hand, I feel like a bit of a dullard, and that I may be missing opportunities.

I'm also genuinely interested in what floats your boats.

I don't have a hobby to speak of at all, and have few real interests. Sure, I read books (a lot), follow current affairs, am loosely interested in politics, economics, etc., but I don't class these as hobbies.

I used to be very seriously into hip-hop music. The harder, dirtier and more misogynistic the better (I'm female, for the record!). I used to keep a well-respected website (which later evolved into a blog), and used to have a CD/vinyl collection that would make John Peel weep. I even went as far as writing my dissertation for both of my degrees (bachelors, masters) on hip-hop music, the latter of which made (very) minor waves amongst interested parties.

However, by my mid-20s (I'm now 30), my passion died. I can't explain it, it almost literally dried up overnight. So, I sold off almost all of my music collection, save for a small number of treasured favourites, and am barely interested in any music nowadays, at all. I don't miss being immersed in this particular hobby, but I do yearn for the days when I did 'love' something so truly and deeply.

19lottie82

Hi OP - have you considered some kind of fitness activity, like running? It's cheap and good for you!

kloana

19lottie82 wrote: »

Hi OP - have you considered some kind of fitness activity, like running? It's cheap and good for you!

I do walk for fitness (running doesn't appeal), though I don't really consider it a hobby, as it doesn't interest me as such. I just like to walk as much as I can for moneysaving reasons, plus the added health benefits, so consider it an incidental part and parcel of my daily life

j.e.j.

Maybe it depends to some extent on whether you are someone who likes to join clubs and do things in the company of other people, or if you're more of a solitary person?

Have you thought of making/writing your own music, either computer-based (using band in a box, or an equivalent) or maybe you could start learning a more traditional musical instrument?

For me, I quite like sewing, drawing and painting, genealogy, music, writing.. stuff like that, but I don't really have one major hobby iyswim.

kloana

j.e.j. wrote: »

Maybe it depends to some extent on whether you are someone who likes to join clubs and do things in the company of other people, or if you're more of a solitary person?

Mostly solitary.

Have you thought of making/writing your own music, either computer-based (using band in a box, or an equivalent) or maybe you could start learning a more traditional musical instrument?

Tried to master an audio production programme known as Fruity Loops as part of above-named hobby, but found it incredibly complex, and didn't manage to make anything worthwhile. Have never considered the idea of taking up a more traditional instrument, thanks for the suggestion

SailorSam

Do you like Diy or craft type things were you could make stuff for the house or garden

kloana

SailorSam wrote: »

Do you like Diy or craft type things were you could make stuff for the house or garden

I'm not hugely artistic or handy, but the idea of arts and crafts does appeal. As a teenager, I'd draw and use oil pastels frequently. Due to my handicap in actual ability, my pieces were hugely 'abstract', shall we say. Crikey I'd half-forgotten that I used to even do that kind of thing.

I'm moving, imminently, from a tiny one-bedroomed flat, to a 2-bed house (with a loft), where I'd have more space for this kind of thing (lack of space would explain why I haven't really dabbled since I lived at home with parents). I sense a possible artistic comeback on the cards

PinkLipgloss

I'm studying Japanese (online for free) and am looking into doing an online (distance learning) childrens illustration course.

I am currently living in Japan so it is not a totally random hobby!

OP - perhaps study a language related to places you like to visit on holiday? There are LOTS of free online websites and resources.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I play a bunch of instruments and sing sometimes - actually playing live or seeing live gigs is an entirely different experience to listening to recorded stuff. It's a physical sensation, rather than an intellectual one. Music I would hate or dismiss as a matter of course if I had heard it recorded, I love when actually there, feeling my whole body respond to it.

And, especially when you're quite solitary, the connection you get when performing, to interact with the drummer, the lead guitarist, the crowd, it's so much more than intellectualisation of the cultural significance of using the N word or beating the living crap out of some hoes. (not a dig, just trying to differentiate between esoterica and visceral experience).

I can use the difference packages, but that's a completely different thing again. You're completely removed from the experience, as it's at your fingertips, rather than using your whole body to make sound.



Other than that, I'm learning to work in stained glass, as, to me, it's like playing music with light, I occasionally do a bit of sculpture and other art - but on a fairly large scale; little fiddly things aren't my forte and make it more of a whole body experience again.


Perhaps getting into something like that would suit you? Maybe street art? Using the colours and shapes of it but using the more conventional media of pastels rather than spraycans?

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kloana

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

it's so much more than intellectualisation of the cultural significance of using the N word or beating the living crap out of some hoes. (not a dig, just trying to differentiate between esoterica and visceral experience).

Ah yes, nail on the head. I think getting too immersed in the 'intellectual' side of things may have contributed to the demise of my hip-hop hobby. I went from casual listener, to serious listener, to some kind of wannabe cultural and political commentator. I took myself too seriously, and was also taken too seriously. As a consequence, my blog became a chore, and I look back on my academic work, and think "what the hell was I on!?!?!".