Creative hobbies will help you change up your day-to-day routine, diversify your skills, and discover new passions.
If you feel bored with your life, it’s time to try something different. Why not add some creative hobbies into your routine? If you’re ready to take up a new creative hobby in 2021, this list will help you figure out which one is best for you!
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Creative hobbies can improve your mental wellness!
Creativity is one of the best healthy ways to manage stress. If you have a busy lifestyle, a “hobby” might not be your top priority in life. Work, school, and family come first.
But even in the busiest schedules, it’s important to spend time with yourself and incorporate self-care into your lifestyle. You can make your new creative hobby a part of your self-care routine. That way, you can spend a little time on it every day without disrupting your existing schedule.
Creative hobbies will…
- Teach you new skills
- Increase your self-esteem
- Boost your creativity
- Provide you with networking opportunities
- Make you more interesting
- Help you relieve stress
- Improve your overall mental wellbeing
As you can see, there are many reasons why you should take up a creative hobby. So, which one should you try first? Check out the list below for plenty of ideas!
Here are 35 creative hobbies to try in 2021:
1. Blogging
I put this first on the list because it’s the thing I personally enjoy the most! My blog is my passion project. I always make time for it, even on the busiest days. Blogging helps improve your writing, design, and social media skills. It involves a lot more than just writing, which a lot of people don’t realize. Because it’s so interdisciplinary, it is sure to teach you something new, no matter what your background is!
If you have any questions about how to get started blogging, feel free to email me at [email protected] and I’ll be happy to help you. 🙂
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2. Fiction writing
If you love reading novels and other fiction works, you should consider writing fiction! I read a lot of fantasy novels when I was growing up, and that influenced my writing. I actually participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) when I was 13. If you like structured challenges, NaNoWriMo is a great way to make sure you actually finish the novel you begin.
To help you get started…
- Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You’ll Ever Need
- The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface
- Outlining Your Novel Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises for Planning Your Best Book
3. Nonfiction writing
Autobiographies, biographies, commentary, critique, and memoir are common forms of nonfiction writing. If fiction isn’t your thing, but you still enjoy the literary arts, you should consider nonfiction writing. It can be therapeutic.
To help you get started…
- How to Write an Essay in Five Easy Steps
- How To Write Non-Fiction: Turn Your Knowledge Into Words
- On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
4. Poetry
When it comes to writing poetry, the excuse I hear the most is, “But I’m not any good at it.” That’s your inner critic talking. You need to get out of that “not good enough” mindset!
Poetry is a highly expressive form of writing that is fueled by passion. It can improve your cognitive function, heal emotional pain, help you learn new words, and make you more self-aware. There are many different types of poetry, so don’t knock it till you’ve tried them all!
If you feel self-conscious about your poetry, you don’t have to share it with other people. Just keep it private and use it for your own benefit.
I think this social media crazed world has conditioned us to believe that we have to share everything with everyone, but that’s not true! If you want your poetry to be a safe, sacred practice for yourself, then keep it private.
To help you get started…
- How to Write Poetry: The Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Poem
- How to Write a Poem: A Beginner’s Guide
- The Poet’s Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry
5. Photography
Photography is so much fun! It gives you the power to freeze time and immortalize precious moments. It changes the way you look at the world around you. As a photographer, you will constantly seek out new angles and unique ways to view the subjects you’re shooting. And if you ever wanted to monetize your passion for photography, you could easily start your own business with it!
Below, I’ve linked the camera equipment I currently use. Just in case you’re interested!
To help you get started…
- Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
- Canon EOS 80D
- The Beginner’s Photography Guide: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Manual for Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera
6. Painting
In addition to boosting your creativity, painting will improve your memory and motor skills. If you struggle with negative self-talk and a harsh inner critic, painting will help you let go of that and allow your creativity to flow freely.
To help you get started…
- How to Paint: A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Watercolors, Acrylics, and Oils
- Acrylic Painting: Landscapes: Learn to paint landscapes in acrylic step by step
- Learn to Paint in Acrylics with 50 Small Paintings: Pick up the skills
7. Drawing
Like painting, drawing will improve your motor skills and creativity. The more you draw, the better you’ll get!
To help you get started…
- How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students
- You Can Draw in 30 Days: The Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less
- How to Draw with Photorealism: Drawing and Shading Techniques – Beginner to Advanced
8. Hand lettering
If you want a super relaxing and therapeutic creative hobby, try hand lettering! It’s a traditional art form in which you write letters by hand and present words as works of art in themselves.
Hand lettering is easy to monetize, and you’ll be able to create some beautiful DIY projects with your new skills. It’s a win-win for you!
To help you get started…
- Happy Hand Lettering: An Inspirational Guide for Creating Beautiful Words of Life
- Super Simple Hand Lettering: 20 Traceable Alphabets, Easy Projects, Practice Sheets & More!
- The Ultimate Guide to Modern Calligraphy & Hand Lettering for Beginners
9. Bullet journaling
A bullet journal is a creative way to organize your life. If you easily lose track of your to-do lists, you need a bullet journal to keep everything in one place! There are tons of different pages you can include in your bullet journal, including habit trackers, mood trackers, coloring pages, and more.
To help you get started…
- Dot Journaling—A Practical Guide
- Beyond Bullets: Creative Journaling Ideas to Customize Your Personal Productivity System
- Journal Me Organized: The Complete Guide to Practical and Creative Planning
10. Embroidery
In addition to creativity, embroidery requires discipline and patience. It is a beautiful art form that will help relieve stress and distract you from anxiety.
To help you get started…
- Embroidery: A Step-by-Step Guide to More than 200 Stitches
- Hoop Dreams: Modern Hand Embroidery
- A-Z of Embroidery Stitches: A Complete Manual for the Beginner Through to the Advanced Embroiderer
11. Fashion design
If you’re obsessed with clothing and personal style, consider fashion design! It’s a creative hobby that you can turn into a career if you want to.
To help you get started…
- The Beginner’s Fashion Design Studio: Easy Templates for Drawing Fashion Favorites
- Fashion Design Course: Principles, Practice, and Techniques
- Fashionpedia – The Visual Dictionary Of Fashion Design
12. Knitting/crocheting
Knitting and crocheting will improve your learning and memory skills. They also have really active communities surrounding them, so you can make new friends through your hobby.
Plus, if you get into knitting or crocheting, you will never have to worry about gift ideas again! 😉
To help you get started…
- Vogue® Knitting The Ultimate Knitting Book: Completely Revised & Updated
- Knitting & Crochet: A beginner’s step-by-step guide to methods and techniques
- The Knitting Book: Over 250 Step-by-Step Techniques
13. Sewing
What if you could sew all your own clothes? It’s ethically sound, you can customize the fit, and you can pick out the exact color or pattern you love the most.
Sewing improves hand-eye coordination and overall emotional wellbeing. If you have kids, you can teach them how to sew, too!
To help you get started…
- How To Start Sewing: The How and Why of Sewing for Fashion Design
- Sew Me! Sewing Basics: Simple Techniques and Projects for First-Time Sewers
- Sewing 101, Revised and Updated: Master Basic Skills and Techniques Easily through Step-by-Step Instruction
14. Pottery
Pottery is a relaxing form of self-expression that will improve your ability to focus. It requires experimentation and spontaneity.
If you’ve never tried it before, I recommend you take a class. In college, I took a pottery class, and it helped me learn the basics. There’s a lot that goes into the process of making a pot, so I think a structured learning environment would be beneficial for you if you are a beginner.
To help you get started…
- The Potter’s Studio Handbook: A start-to-finish guide to hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramics
- Pottery for Beginners: The Art of Wheel Throwing
- Making Pottery You Can Use: Plates that stack • Lids that fit • Spouts that pour • Handles that stay on
15. Scrapbooking
If you love taking photos, working with your hands, and turning memories into tangible gifts, scrapbooking is for you! Back before hard drives existed, people put their photos into scrapbooks to preserve them for future generations to look back on. Even though the 21st century is a digital age, the art of scrapbooking is not dead! Go to any craft store, and you will find aisles of items you could use for your scrapbook. The possibilities are endless!
To help you get started…
- Scrapbooking Made Easy
- Scrapbooking: The Ultimate guide to Scrapbooking for Beginners in 30 Minutes or Less!
- The Scrapbook Designer’s Workbook: Unlocking the Secrets to Great Page Design
16. Random DIY projects!
If all else fails, just hop on Pinterest and browse the DIY section. Before long, you’ll find a tutorial that is too cute to pass up!
17. Nail art
Nail art is a great way to express yourself, especially if you love bold and daring looks! YouTube has tons of beginner-friendly DIY nail tutorials for you to watch.
To help you get started…
- Spectacular Nail Art: A Step-by-Step Guide to 35 Gorgeous Designs
- DIY Nail Art: Easy, Step-by-Step Instructions for 75 Creative Nail Art Designs
- Nail Candy: 50+ Ideas for Totally Cool Nails
18. Makeup
Ever since high school, I’ve enjoyed expressing myself through makeup. It’s an art form you can wear! YouTube is the best place to find makeup tips and how-to’s.
To help you get started…
- Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual: For Everyone from Beginner to Pro
- Robert Jones’ Makeup Masterclass: A Complete Course in Makeup for All Levels, Beginner to Advanced
- How to be a Professional Makeup Artist: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
19. Dancing
Dance is a creative hobby that is also a rigorous physical activity! If you want to get in shape and boost creativity, consider getting into dance. You could check your local gym or dance studio for classes. Or, you could just hop online and see if you find any free video tutorials that pique your interest.
20. Theater
Especially if you’re an introvert, theater will get you out of your comfort zone! It can help improve your self-confidence, and it makes it easy to find like-minded people to be friends with. Theater is deeply rooted in history. As you learn more about theater, you will also become more educated about culture and the arts in general.
21. Music
You’re never too old to learn how to play an instrument. Did you know that you use almost every part of your brain when you play music?
When I was younger, I used to play piano and violin. I haven’t played an instrument since high school, but I often think about relearning it. If you want to learn music theory, piano is the best instrument to start with. The piano has more notes than other instruments, you can play chords on it, and it is relatively easy to play.
Of course, if there is a particular instrument you want to learn, then go for it! But the piano is good if you aren’t sure where to start.
To help you get started…
- How to Read Music in 30 Days: Music Theory for Beginners
- How To Play Keyboard: A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners
- All You Need to Know About the Music Business: 10th Edition
22. Quilting
If you need a break from computers and phones, take up quilting! It is a traditional art form that you can enjoy without using any devices. Quilting will allow you to play with color and geometry. You will enjoy making quilts by hand, and you can even give them as gifts once you complete them!
To help you get started…
- Pat Sloan’s Teach Me to Make My First Quilt: A How-to Book for All You Need to Know
- Better Homes and Gardens: Complete Guide to Quilting, More than 750 Step-by-Step Color Photographs
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rag Quilting
23. Origami
The ancient art of origami is still alive in the 21st century! The cool thing about origami is that it’s perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike. When you’re starting out, you can find easy-to-follow tutorials online, but there are challenging ones available too. Origami proves that you can make just about anything by folding paper.
To help you get started…
- Japanese Origami for Beginners Kit: 20 Classic Origami Models: Kit with 96-page Origami Book, 72 High-Quality Origami Papers and Instructional DVD: Great for Kids and Adults!
- Fun with Origami: 17 Easy-to-Do Projects and 24 Sheets of Origami Paper
- Ultimate Origami for Beginners Kit: The Perfect Kit for Beginners-Everything you Need is in This Box!
24. Flower arranging
Flower arranging is another hobby that can be easily monetized! It does not cost much to get started, and anyone can do it. You can give your finished arrangements to loved ones, or you can start your own small business and sell flowers for weddings, events, or special gifts.
To help you get started…
- Fresh Flower Arranging: Step-by-Step Designs for Home, Weddings, and Gifts
- The Flower Chef: A Modern Guide to Do-It-Yourself Floral Arrangements
- On Flowers: Lessons from an Accidental Florist
25. Jewelry making
If you’re interested in making your own jewelry, craft stores have plenty of resources to help you. Additionally, you should see if your hometown has a local bead shop to check out. If you shop small, you can find some really interesting pieces to include in the jewelry you make. Your pieces will be one-of-a-kind!
To help you get started…
- Bead Jewelry Making for Beginners: Step-by-Step Instructions for Beautiful Designs
- Wire-Wrapped Jewelry Techniques: Tools and Inspiration for Creating Your Own Fashionable Jewelry
- Making Wire & Bead Jewelry: Artful Wirework Techniques
26. Home decor
In addition to beautifying your own home, you could help others beautify theirs! There are so many different ways you could pursue a hobby in home decor. You could style rooms, create wall art, design furniture, etc. And if you want a career change, you could turn your passion for home decor into an interior design gig!
To help you get started…
- Inspire Your Home: Easy Affordable Ideas to Make Every Room Glamorous
- How to Make a House a Home: Creating a Purposeful, Personal Space
- The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well
27. Cooking
Microwaving frozen mac and cheese might not be that interesting, but cooking can be highly creative if you want it to be. Even just trying a recipe and adding a couple of new ingredients counts as creativity.
To help you get started…
- Creative Cooking for One or Two: Simple & Inspiring Meals That Are Just the Right Size
- Kitchen Creativity: Unlocking Culinary Genius-with Wisdom, Inspiration, and Ideas from the World’s Most Creative Chefs
- Lateral Cooking
28. Baking
If you have a sweet tooth, you should try baking! With baking, you learn the balance between following instructions and adding your own creative flair. Baking is fun because you get to make something you can share with friends and family!
To help you get started…
- Twist: Creative Ideas to Reinvent Your Baking
- Sugar Rebels: Pipe For Your Life – More than 60 Recipes from Instagram’s Kween of Baking
- Creative Desserts: Simply Amazing Dessert Recipes
29. Cake or cookie decorating
Decorating baked goods is a precise art. Cookie and cake decorating requires intense focus and patience. You will feel accomplished and proud of your masterpiece after it’s complete.
Once you get really good at decorating, your treats will look (almost) too good to eat!
To help you get started…
- 1,000 Ideas for Decorating Cupcakes, Cookies & Cakes
- Wilton Decorating Cakes Book (The Wilton school)
- First Time Cake Decorating: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide
30. Graphic design
If you like logos, advertising, and branding, graphic design is a great way to do something creative with your interest. You will want to learn the Adobe Creative Suite for starters. You should also get a drawing pad and start sketching out your ideas when you think of them.
In addition to digital design, you should try to practice traditional art forms. Drawing and painting will train your eye to view objects the way they actually are instead of using symbols to represent them in your brain. Drawing skills will make you a better designer.
To help you get started…
- How to Use Graphic Design to Sell Things, Explain Things, Make Things Look Better, Make People Laugh, Make People Cry, and (Every Once in a While) Change the World
- Creative Workshop: 80 Challenges to Sharpen Your Design Skills
- Graphic Design: The New Basics
31. Vector illustration
Creating illustrations on the computer is way different than drawing them by hand. You will want to learn Adobe Illustrator, which you can teach to yourself. Pinterest, YouTube, and Skillshare are great places to find Illustrator tutorials.
To help you get started…
- Adobe Illustrator CC Classroom in a Book
- The Adobe Illustrator WOW! Book for CS6 and CC
- Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud Revealed
32. Photo manipulation
Adobe Photoshop is a lot of fun to use once you’ve learned the basics! There are many ways you can edit or manipulate photos to look totally different. If you love using creative filters on Snapchat or Instagram, you should learn Photoshop. It will give you way more control, and you can literally do just about anything with it. Pinterest, YouTube, and Skillshare are great places to find Photoshop tutorials.
To help you get started…
- Adobe Photoshop CC Classroom in a Book
- How Do I Do That in Photoshop?: The Quickest Ways to Do the Things You Want to Do, Right Now!
- Adobe Photoshop CC For Dummies
33. Video creation
In the 21st century, video creation has become more popular among people of all ages. You could learn more about production in the film industry, or you could simply start your own YouTube channel and begin creating videos. These days, it is not difficult to publish your own video content online. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok make it simple and fun.
To help you get started…
- Crushing YouTube: How to Start a YouTube Channel, Launch Your YouTube Business and Make Money
- YouTube Secrets: The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Following and Making Money as a Video Influencer
- Adobe Premiere Pro CC Classroom in a Book
34. Animation
If you’re interested in learning how to animate stuff, I would recommend learning Adobe After Effects. This isn’t the only animation program out there, but it’s the one I learned on. It’s a complex program, and it requires a lot of dedication to learn it. But once you know the basics, you will be able to create all kinds of cool animations in it. There are tons of After Effects tutorials online you can follow. Pinterest, YouTube, and Skillshare are great places to find After Effects tutorials.
To help you get started…
- Adobe After Effects CC Classroom in a Book
- Animation Unleashed: 100 Principles Every Animator, Comic Book Writer, Filmmaker, Video Artist, and Game Developer Should Know
- The Animator’s Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators
35. User experience design
User experience design, or UX design for short, is an up-and-coming field that has tons of job opportunities available. I wanted to include it on this list because it does require creativity, although it mainly utilizes strategic thinking. Basically, UX design involves designing interfaces that users will interact with, like websites or apps. The goal is to provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. In addition to making the interfaces usable, UX designers also want to make interactions pleasurable and fun.
If you want a mentally challenging hobby that can easily translate into a career, UX design is an excellent choice.
To help you get started…
- Seven Step UX: The Cookbook for Creating Great Products
- UX for Beginners: A Crash Course in 100 Short Lessons
- UX Strategy: How to Devise Innovative Digital Products that People Want
Thanks for reading!
I hope you enjoyed this post. Leave me a comment below if you try one of these creative hobbies!
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I will definitely be trying most of these! Your blog is so nicely organized and pretty. I really appreciate the time and effort you spend making these, and the things you post. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words 🙂