12 New Hobbies You Can Take Up Instead Of Using Social Media
Start writing a post
Dating

12 Cool Hobbies For You To Take Up That Do NOT Involve Mindlessly Scrolling Through Social Media

Because 4+ hours of screen time a day just isn't healthy.

1246
12 Cool Hobbies For You To Take Up That Do NOT Involve Mindlessly Scrolling Through Social Media

I'm the type of person who kinda has a lot of random things that I kinda know how to do. I don't have the patience to really master a skill or craft, but I think that hobbies are super cool and worth all the effort. So, if you're anything like me and you just like learning how to do little hobbies to kill time, you're in luck because I've rounded up 12!

1. Take up an instrument.

Giphy

I know you need an instrument for this one, but you honestly might be able to ask around your friends and family to see if they have an old guitar or something that they seldom use anymore that they wouldn't mind letting you borrow.

I learned guitar and a little piano this way actually, and while I'm not fantastic, I am good enough that I play guitar for my campus ministry for worship and people can at least recognize the songs. I just looked up chord charts online and it went on from there!

2. Hand Lettering/Calligraphy

Giphy

This is my newest hobby. I bought a handful of markers and some paper and started out just copying things I saw online. I am still not great at super fancy lettering like the stuff above, but I can write out cute little birthday cards and such. The cool thing about this is that there are so many pictures and videos online of people doing calligraphy that you should never run out of inspiration!

3. Cooking

Giphy

This is another fun passtime of mine, and you can go about it in one of two ways. I tend to just like using up random things around the house and making something out of it (eating on a budget, amirite?), but my boyfriend really enjoys things that take a lot of time and a lot of precision. He's gotten into making bread actually, and it's really good, but it takes a LONG time and I just don't have the patience to help him with it anymore.

Either way you do it, cooking is a pretty fun passtime... and you (usually) get a pretty good meal out of it after!

4. Exercise

Giphy

Okay, I'll admit it, this one isn't exactly in my heavy rotation. But you know just as well as me that it's an awesome hobby to have! I really do keep meaning to pick up running or something, but I don't know, naps just sound so much better...

Don't be like me, get some exercise.

5. Clothes Revamping

Giphy

This is a nifty one.

There are so many Pinterest posts that can spur on some cool ideas on what to do to liven up some old clothes. I am personally a fan of making headbands out of old shirts!

6. Gardening

Giphy

For the patient ones out there, this is probably a really awesome idea.

I really want to start gardening, but I just find it so hard to wait for so long... and then I forget to water the plant or something eats it and it was all for nothing.

Hopefully someday I'll be able to hone my green thumb, but until then, maybe you're better at it than I am!

(Bonus points because it sometimes means free food later on)

7. Reading... Or Not.

Giphy

Here's a two-in-one.

Reading's a bit of a given, but here's an idea: after you go through a book, you can paint over its pages.

My high school English teacher made us do blackout poetry one time and it was really cool. You essentially take a page of a book and scribble/paint over every word that you don't want. Then, you're left with a poem of words that you didn't scribble out. It was super fun and a great way to get some more use out of a book that you might just not read again!

8. Making specialty coffee/cocoa/lemonade...

Giphy

I've become a homemade cocoa fanatic, and no, I don't care that its Summer.

When I realized that you could just dump milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and whatever other ingredients you can dream up into a pot on a stovetop and call it hot cocoa, it was game over. I've perfected the Nutella cocoa, cinnamon cocoa, peppermint cocoa... The list goes on.

It's super cool to have an easy, go-to thing that you're really good at making, but experimenting with variations makes it that much more fun!

9. Card Making

Giphy

This is something I keep meaning to get really good at!

I like doing a little calligraphy here and there, but I haven't really done anything else to cards other than write/draw on them. My boyfriend's grandmother is super into making cards and she cuts pictures out of magazines and organizes the pictures so she can use them for the appropriate occasion. They always look really cute and it's a super thoughtful gesture that friends and family members are sure to love!

10. Thrifting

Giphy

I've got several friends who are into this. One of my coworkers swears by finding business casual clothes in thrift stores because it's so cheap, and she really always does look awesome.

Bonus story: one time she found a purse worth like $1,000 and bought it for $20. The purse also had like $400 cash inside. What a find!!!

11. Journaling or Scrapbooking

Giphy

In middle school, I kept a "Dear Future Me" journal.

Every few days I would write in it, and I've actually read a few of the entries back. Some of them are sad, some hopelessly cringey, but some really are very positive. I had the intention to go back and write "Dear Past Me" entries, but I'm just waiting on the right time to do that.

Nevertheless, I love getting a chance to go back and read what I was thinking. Your future self will really thank you!

12. Photography

Giphy

There's always someone looking for someone to take their pictures. If you have a quality enough camera, why not take one of your friends out for a glamour shoot??

Bonus points if you build up a portfolio and people start paying you for their pictures!

I hope you found something that struck your interest! There are so many cool hobby ideas out there--believe me, I've looked them over dozens of times in my searches for something new to pick up. Whether you're inclined to master one thing of dabble in many, I hope that you can find something non-screen related to entertain yourself with this summer!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50885
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32570
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955769
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180793
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments