From making muffins to making soap, there are so many hobbies out there worth checking out. Even though you’re probably juggling a lot of responsibilities in your 20s, it’s also important to make time for things you love, like hobbies. In this blog post, I’ll cover all the great reasons to pick up a hobby, how to find the time for hobbies, and 19 cheap hobbies you can start right now.
“But I don’t have time for hobbies”
Now you might be thinking, “Who has the time for hobbies? Not me.” With school, work, extracurricular activities, relationships, sleep, and everything else filling your busy schedule, it may seem like there’s absolutely no time for hobbies. But the truth is, you have more time than you think.
Ask yourself this–how much time do you spend watching TV? Or checking social media? When you really think about it, all that time adds up. Now don’t get me wrong okay, I love watching Netflix as much as the next girl, but I often feel a little more accomplished after working on a hobby versus bingeing a whole season of a show.
That’s not to say you can never enjoy time-wasters like TV or social media. It’s more about filling your time with activities that bring you joy rather than checking Instagram seventeen times a day.
Why start a hobby?
While hobbies may just seem like a fun way to spend your time, they actually have a lot of other benefits too. Just some of the good things hobbies can help you with include:
- Beating boredom
- Learning new skills
- Coping with stress
- Boosting your confidence
- Having a great creative outlet
- Helping with time-management
- Giving you a sense of accomplishment
- Helping you learn more about yourself and what you like
- Meeting and bonding with people you actually have something in common with
Even though there are lots of fun hobbies out there, sometimes they come up with a hefty price tag. But just like no spend weekends, you don’t need always need to spend lots of money to have fun. So if you’re looking to start a hobby, but don’t want to spend a whole ton of money, here are 19 cheap hobbies to get you started.
Cheap and easy hobbies you will love:
1. Painting
Unleash your inner Picasso and get painting. Whether you want to paint beach landscapes or portraits of your dog, painting is a fun way to get creative that can improve your concentration and self-confidence. There are lots of free tutorials online out there for beginners and experts alike. You can paint solo or if you have a friend who wants to take up painting too, you guys can get together and have wine and paint nights. How fun is that?
2. Drawing
Not only is drawing a fun hobby and a great skill to learn but it’s also great for creativity, memory, and stress relief. Whether you want to make free-hand drawings or follow a free step-by-step class online, grab some pencils and paper and start drawing.
3. Colouring
Colouring isn’t just for kids anymore. From mandalas to animals, colouring in empty shapes is a fun and relaxing way to spend your time. Colouring has been shown to improve sleep and focus while reducing stress and anxiety. Plus, it’s pretty cheap too–all you need is some crayons and a colouring book that you can easily find at a dollar store for next to nothing.
4. Writing
Have a way with words? Get into writing. Writing is not only a great way to express yourself creatively, but it’s actually been shown to improve mood and lower stress levels. The great thing about writing is there are so many different avenues you can try–poems, short stories, screenplays, blog posts, you name it. All you need is your laptop or some pen and paper and you’re good to go.
5. Baking
Have a little bit of a sweet tooth? Why not take up baking? As you follow a recipe and create something delicious from scratch, this hobby is a great way to express yourself, practice mindfulness, and give back, which can improve your overall mood and sense of well-being. And the best part? Free dessert!
6. Cooking
If baking’s not really your thing, get cooking in the kitchen. Cooking can be an awesome and affordable creative outlet that improves your quality of life, express your emotions, and makes you feel good. Plus, like baking, you get to eat what you make at the end.
7. Knitting
Nothing is cooler than taking a ball of yarn and turning it into something cozy. Knitting is not only rewarding and creative, but it’s also great for reducing depression, anxiety, and loneliness. While it can feel like a repetitive task, it’s also really satisfying and perfect for multitasking as you can knit while watching movies or listening to music, audiobooks, and podcasts. And then once you’re done with your projects, you can gift them, donate them, or keep them for yourself.
8. Cross-stitching
If you’re wanting to create some cool and unique things, now’s the time to take up cross-stitching as a hobby. Learning to cross-stitch can help you feel calmer, more focused, and less stressed. With lots of free videos for beginners and a big online community of fellow cross-stitchers out there, all you need is to grab some fabric, needles, and thread and you will be well on your way.
9. Calligraphy
If you want to combine your love of writing and art, why not try your hand at calligraphy? Practicing calligraphy can help your physical and mental health by helping you feel mindful, calm, and relaxed. With just a few tools and some practice, you can learn to create some beautiful letter designs.
10. Bullet journaling
If you’re looking for a hobby that’s both creative and productive, bullet journaling might be right for you. By creating a bullet journal full of monthly and daily logs, doodles, charts, mind maps, and drawings, you can stay organized while also being creative. While the upfront costs of a bullet journal, markers, and pens might be a little pricy, the good news is you won’t need to keep paying for supplies as you go on.
11. Soap making
If you’re looking for a more unique hobby, then soap making might be right up your alley. Making your own soap is not only a creative way to pass time, but can help you save money, create something you can use with ingredients that you like, and feel like you have accomplished something amazing. Plus, you can actually use or gift your creations once you’re done.
12. Coding
If you want to unleash your inner tech guru, take the time to learn how to code. Although it can be hard at times, learning code languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript can be super rewarding. Plus, many beginner classes online are free and it looks great on a resume and can help you stand out when you’re applying for jobs.
13. Graphic design
Always wanted to learn how to use Photoshop or Illustrator? Do it. From portraits to posters, there are endless things you can design. While it can be hard to learn at first, graphic design is so rewarding and looks great on a resume. While Adobe Creative Suite is a little pricy, you can always get a free trial to try it out or you could just make a free account with Canva.
14. Dancing
Crank up the music and dance, dance, dance. Dancing’s not only a great way to express yourself creatively, but it’s also a great form of exercise as it strengthens muscles, improves coordination, and increases self-confidence. So whether you want to master those viral dances on Tik Tok or try different styles of dancing like hip hop or salsa, dancing is a great way to learn something new and have some fun.
15. Making music
If you have always wanted to make music, go make it happen. Playing an instrument has lots of benefits like reducing stress, improving memory, and strengthening the immune system. While getting an instrument is usually pretty expensive, there are a few cheaper options like renting from a music shop, borrowing from a friend or buying one second-hand online. So whether it’s piano, guitar, drums, or another instrument, unleash your creativity and make some music.
16. Nail art
Love getting mani-pedis? Who needs to spend $50-$100 at a spa when you can just do it yourself? While spas often only put some nail polish and clear coat on your nails, build your self-confidence and challenge yourself creatively by creating little designs on your nails. There are so many free videos out there you can check out and you can buy nail tools and supplies online for pretty cheap. From little flowers to sparkles, nail art is a great creative outlet that will make your fingers and toes feel great and look gorgeous.
17. Make-up
If you spend every weekend at Sephora, why not go the extra mile and pursue makeup as a hobby? While makeup might not seem like a hobby like knitting or drawing, it’s still a fun activity that can help you express yourself and feel confident and powerful. You don’t even necessarily have to buy anything with this hobby, just work with the makeup you already have. So whether you just want to try new looks for yourself or become the next James Charles and start your own beauty Youtube channel, the possibilities are endless.
18. Jewlery making
If you love wearing jewelry, take some time and learn how to make some of your own pieces. Not only is making a necklace or a bracelet such an amazing sense of accomplishment, but it can also reduce stress and improve your physical health. Plus, they make great gifts for family and friends, or even just for yourself too.
19. Scrapbooking
If you have been missing your family and friends a lot lately, reflect on all the happy times with scrapbooking. Scrapbooking not only reduces your stress levels and encourages you to stay in the moment, but it makes you feel better as well as it asks you to look back on the fun you have had in the past and the strong relationships you have with the people close to you. Dig around for some old photos and get some cheap supplies at a craft or dollar store and you will be ready to build your awesome scrapbook.
Final thoughts on cheap hobbies:
Taking up hobbies in your 20s is a great way to express yourself creatively and learn more about yourself. But sometimes it might feel like there’s not enough time or money for hobbies. With these 19 cheap and easy hobbies though, you will be able to express yourself and create some wonderful things without having to spend a fortune.
