Remember in March 2020 when we all had the TikTok sound “Bored in the house and I’m in the house bored” stuck in our heads on repeat? Yeah, let’s never go back to that place ever again. It’s 2022, better days are coming, and no one, I repeat NO. ONE. is getting bored on my watch, no matter how much free time they find themselves with. Because you know what my friend? We’re going to find you a gosh darn hobby.

Yes, a hobby. No, it doesn’t have to be coin collecting or building model trains (though I’m not judging if that’s what you’re into). I’ve searched far and wide to put together a list of new hobbies to try that will have a first date, Insta story stalker, or college admissions specialist thinking, “wow, that baddie right there is interesting,” and came out with a number of ideas that are *actually* fun, easy, and affordable, so you can pick them up and get them started ASAP.

Whether you’re looking for fun things to do with friends or you’re simply flying solo, scroll through to find the best hobbies for adults (that’s you!). And if you realize you have a calling for whatever hobby you chose, don’t forget about me when you’re famous!

Hobbies for Staying at Home

1. Pizza making

Mamma mia, we love this one! Grab a bag of pizza dough from your local grocery store, roll it out, and slap your favorite toppings on to create your ideal pie. Once you start getting the hang of it, you can start investing in some tools, like a pizza oven you can attach to your grill or a pizza stone that keeps the crust perfectly crispy every time.

You can purchase a KettlePizza maker for only Dhs980 at Amazon.

2. Gua sha

A traditional Chinese medicine practice involving massaging the skin with a stone, gua sha is one of my favorite ways to practice self-care. But doing it right means learning from a pro. Luckily, there’s plenty of information out there, and YouTube videos are a great place to start (we love this one from Sandra Lanshin Chiu, L.Ac., and suggest making sure your teacher is trained in Chinese medicine). We also put together a gua sha guide you can check out if you’re ready to go all in.

You can purchase a Gua Sha for only Dhs125 at Iherb.

3. Calligraphy

Whether you’re looking to up your stationery game or elevate your note-taking, learning calligraphy will undoubtedly add a lot to your life. Getting the skill down is totally free (there are tons of great resources online) but, beware, the pens may make your credit card a little sad.

4. Gaming

From Animal Crossing to Myst, there’s absolutely something for you in the gaming world. Just be sure to do it right and splurge on a gorgeous gaming setup!

5. Throwing themed dinner parties

Now that it’s a bit safer for us to gather with our vaccinated frands, doing weekly *themed* (very important) dinner parties can be a great way to debrief. The best themes I’ve seen are “1997 Romeo and Juliet,” “Studio 54,” and “Positano, Italy,” but I’m sure you’ll come up with ones that are evennn better.

6. Learning to cook

Don’t feel bad, Paris Hilton is still navigating the kitchen too! If you’re looking for ways to make learning to cook super fun, I suggest picking a workbook to cook through from top to bottom or picking something random from this yummy list of TikTok recipes every night.

Adorably Quirky Hobbies

7. Puzzling

If you’ve ever placed that final piece into a puzzle, you know that’s a feeling worth repeating. With their range of sizes, shapes, and designs, you’ll never run out of puzzles to tackle. Plus, if you really love one once you’re done, you can frame it for a rustic artwork moment.

You can purchase a Jigsaw puzzle for only Dhs17 at Noon.

8. Candle-making

Candles can be expensive as hell. But not if you make them yourself! DIYing them also means you can make your home smell *exactly* how you want it to, which is kind of amazing.

You can purchase a candle-making kit for only Dhs188 on Amazon.

Art Chick™ Hobbies

9. Cake decorating

Making art and eating it too? That just takes the cake! Get creative with fondant, icing, candy, sprinkles, and whatever else your lil hungry heart can dream of, and get decorating, boo! There are plenty of YouTube channels that will teach you the basics (one of our faves is Cake Cake), or you can simply have at it and learn as you go. If you end up finding that you have a knack for it, I’ve got good news: a well-decorated cake can go for $$. Hello, side hustle!

You can purchase a cake decorating set for only Dhs75 on Amazon.

10. Painting

Painting is not only amazingly therapeutic but a cost-effective way to spruce up your space with a personal touch. If you want to skip the experimental phase and follow the greats, you can watch some Bob Ross reruns on Hulu or browse the plethora of how-tos on YouTube.

Very Fahncy Hobbies

11. Learning a new language

If the only thing you can say in another language is “Khalas ya habibi,” it’s about time to make some changes, my friend. Download a language learning app like Duolingo or Babbel on your phone, take on a tried-and-true Rosetta Stone course, or sign up for an immersive class somewhere near you. Whichever you choose, you’ll be better for it—just think about how many international hotties you can strike up a convo with on your next vacay!

12. Meditation

Get your ohm on (*Missy Elliot voice*) and find your inner peace (yes, it’s in there somewhere) by learning how to meditate. If you have a Netflix subscription or your ex still hasn’t logged you out of their account, we recommend taking the Headspace Guide to Meditation course available for free on the platform, which is perf for beginners.

13. Manicuring 

Okay, this is a skill that could make you some extra money, TBH. We’re definitely having a nail art renaissance and learning to do it yourself would be HUGE. All side-hustle efforts aside, if you can get your left hand done without it looking like your right hand’s awkward sister, I’ll be thoroughly impressed.

Via Cosmopolitan US