The topic of hobbies has come up so frequently on social media recently. I see the following questions often: What hobbies should I start? How do I get into a hobby? How do I stay engaged with hobbies? As a known hobby hoarder (someone who collects and picks up many hobbies), I feel compelled to speak on this topic!

Having a hobby is such an important and beautiful thing. I spent last blog post ranting about this subject. Hobbies can teach you new things, boost mood, inspire creativity, and so much more. And as someone who loves so many hobbies, I am here to help you find one to connect with.

Sometimes it feels as if there is a high barrier to entry to start a hobby, which can deter some folks. However, hobbies don’t have to be incredibly expensive. This post includes some of my absolute favorite hobbies, all of which can be completely free (or low cost)! At first blush, these hobbies may seem expensive. With time, you can certainly start to sink money into each (we’ll save how much I’ve spent on books and hiking equipment for another day). But I am here to show you how they can be inexpensive, and help you start a new, free hobby. Let’s get into it!

reading

With the power of a library card, you can start reading for free. Libraries are a great way to try out new genres and books outside of your comfort zone. They’re also a fantastic way to find new favorites and read popular books too!

The main question I see when it comes to library cards is: “What do I do when the book I want to read has a long wait time?” Put that book on hold and find another book in the meantime! Libby has an awesome feature where you can view books that are available to you at this very moment. Pick something that seems interesting and give it a try while you wait!

You can also visit your local library and pick up a physical book. The amount of physical books shelved at libraries is astounding. Trust me, you have plenty of material to catch up on while you wait the 8 week hold time for your TikTok recommended book.

When I check out books from the library, I feel more confident in picking books for myself. I try not to read reviews about the book I’m interested in, as it skews my perception and sometimes deters me from the book (sometimes for good reason, and other times I don’t agree with reviews). And because I am not buying the book for my personal collection, I can simply bring the book back to the library if I’m not jiving with it. This saves me so much money!

hiking

Grab your best pair of walking shoes and a water bottle, because we are getting outside! The best parts about nature is that it’s pretty to look at, and is often free, if not low cost.

I highly recommend checking out easy trails to start with on AllTrails. The app will tell you the difficulty, how to get there, and any fees that may be associated with the trailhead. Sometimes there are fees for parking, and they oftentimes are priced at around $5.

However, check in with your local library first! Not only will a library card help you with the first hobby I’ve listed, but they can also sometimes offer parking passes for trails.

And remember to practice Leave No Trace principles! Respect the flora, fauna, and the people on the trail. The outdoors is for everybody!

baking

Baking is a hobby that can seem intimidating to get into. Ingredients can be expensive, and you might not have all of the tools you need to get started. I highly recommend finding projects you have most of the ingredients for.

There are some ingredients I usually have on hand, like flour, sugar, baking powder, etc. Because I keep these kitchen staples around, I can bake things like breads and cookies without needing to make a trip to the store. You may have to spend a bit to get the necessities, but once you have these ingredients, they often stick around for awhile.

Sourdough is a slow baking hobby I’ve gotten into recently. I actually got my sourdough starter for free, from a friend who got hers from Facebook Marketplace for $5. I’ve made pancakes, pretzels, and bread so far with it, all using ingredients I already had around the house!

And yet another reason to get a library card: your local library may offer cooking equipment for checkout! This whole post is really just library propaganda. Seriously though, there is so much your library can offer.

writing

Writing is a hobby I’ve picked up recently and it has felt so rewarding. There are so many different ways to write. You can journal, you can write stories and poetry, you can even start a blog (like me!).

If you’re reading this on a phone or a computer, then it’s likely you have all of the necessary tools to start writing. You can pick up a pencil and paper, open up your notes app, crack open a journal, or try your hand at blogging.

Through writing, you can practice expressing feelings and ideas, and fully formulate them on paper. Before you know it, you may have a collection of stories, posts, or even just random thoughts! Personally, I think some of the best hobbies are ones with a final product that you’ve created. There is just something so special about that.

Hobbies don’t have to be expensive! In a world of rising costs and feeling like you need to fork out cash in order to do something fun, I just want you to know there are options. Below is an overview of the hobbies I shared today, and how you can get started:

• Reading: Visit your local library and get started with a library card. Use apps like Libby to check out eBooks, or head to your library to check out physical books.
• Hiking: Put on some clothes and shoes you feel comfortable moving in and bring a water bottle. Read information on hikes with apps like AllTrails, and learn more about the trail, how to get there, and any fees associated. Read up on the Leave No Trace principles before you head out.
• Baking: Take inventory of what you have at home and find recipes that utilize ingredients you already have. Borrow equipment from friends, family, or even your library.
• Writing: You can start writing right now with just a pen and paper, your notes app, a journal, a Google Doc, or a blogging site. Formulate ideas and let your creativity flow.

Hobbies are fulfilling and bring so much joy into my life. I hope this post helps you find your next hobby! Let me know in the comments if there are any free/low cost hobbies you enjoy. I am always on the lookout for new hobbies to hoard 🙂