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Do you love spending time by yourself, but you aren’t always sure how to spend your time alone? I hear ya!
Taking up solo hobbies is totally a thing for those of us who are introverts and need “me-time” to recharge. Or for those CEOs, teachers, or stay-at-home-moms who need a break from their hectic lives.
Choosing hobbies to do alone comes with plenty of benefits: it boosts your creativity, it gives you a chance to unwind, and it helps improve your happiness.
So what are the best hobbies for you to do alone? I’ve got you covered with a list of 35 solo hobbies… but, first, let’s talk about why hobbies are important.
Why Are Hobbies Important?
Hobbies are activities you do in your free time, and you can have more than one hobby. These kinds of activities are important and beneficial for various reasons. You learn new skills, which enriches your life… and you also strive for “practice makes perfect,” which develops perseverance and patience.
Hobbies make you more interesting as a person, since you can share what you’ve done with loved ones or like-minded people.
Hobbies are also important because they:
Why Are Hobbies Important for Introverts?
Introverts turn inward, focusing on their thoughts, feelings, and ideas, rather than turning outward – to other people. As such, introverts tend to feel drained when they’ve had too much social interaction.
After a day’s work and being forced to make small talk with colleagues, introverted people choose to practice their hobbies alone. And for those introverts who are lucky to work from home or in an environment where there isn’t a lot of interaction, solo hobbies give them a way to keep their minds sharp.
Hobbies can also add to their life, making it more meaningful and giving it purpose. These activities are fulfilling in a way your job may not be.
Introverts are also prone to overthinking, so when they practice their hobby, it can soothe their mind. They don’t have to overanalyze; instead, introverted humans can express their thoughts and feelings, and just enjoy being in the moment, which brings them peace.
Solo hobbies also give introverts dedicated me-time, which lets them deepen the bond they have with themselves. Plus, hobbies can give them something to look forward to!
35 Best Hobbies to Do Alone
1. Candles and Soap
Making candles or soap (or tie-dying tees) are ideal hobbies for introverts and when you need alone time.
Start making candles or soap with YouTube tutorials and step-by-step blogs that explain everything you need and how you can make soaps and candles.
Plus, you can create unique birthday gifts for your family and friends.
2. Writing
Writing is therapeutic; it helps you declutter your mind, express your feelings, and organize your thoughts.
There are many ways introverts can get writing:
If you feel stuck or uninspired, use writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.
3. Reading
Many introverts love to read, and making this one of your solo hobbies is the perfect way to make time to read.
Reading helps relieve stress, and you can learn new things or immerse yourself in the world of fiction or comics.
You can borrow books from your local library, browse a book store to see what your next read is, or read eBooks on your phone or Kindle.
4. Cooking and Baking
Another solo hobby for those who crave me-time is cooking or baking. Cook and bake in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Buy a cookbook and try out new recipes, or search online for unique dishes to try.
If you want to learn how to cook or bake, YouTube is your go-to resource. Or you can sign up for online cooking lessons with your favorite chef.
5. Gardening
When you take up gardening as your hobby to do alone, you reap the benefits of being outside in nature. Plus, you get to be physically active as you dig, plant, water, and harvest.
Choose whether you want to focus on creating a beautiful flower garden, a modern succulent and cacti garden, a herb garden (ideal if you cook and bake), or keep a fruit and/or veggie garden.
You can also be creative and express your creativity in your garden.
6. Learning a New Language
Nope, you don’t need to worry about joining a real-life class with a teacher and other students to learn French, Spanish, Chinese, Swahili, or Urdu. With all the advances in technology, you can use your computer, tablet, or smartphone to increase your language skills.
There are many language apps like Duolingo you can download. You can use YouTube tutorials or even check out blogs that explain the intricacies of grammar.
7. Coloring
Adult coloring has taken the world by storm and proven that coloring isn’t just for kids. Like writing, it is therapeutic. I like to color and play some mellow music in the background.
All you need is a coloring book and the medium you want to color with – coloring pencils, markers, or something else. You can also print adult coloring pages from the internet and enjoy.
8. Meditation and Yoga
Meditation and yoga are the perfect combo to soothe an introvert’s overthinking mind. These activities also make you feel less stressed and more relaxed.
Download apps like Headspace, Calm, or Alo Moves to your smart device or you can find YouTube videos to guide you.
9. Drawing and Painting
You don’t need to be Picasso to draw and/or paint. There are plenty of drawing and painting tutorials you can watch and self-teach.
Once you have the hang of it, you can draw and paint using pictures you find online, everyday items in your house (that you can arrange in a specific way), or go outside and find landscapes.
10. Traveling Solo
Traveling by yourself is a fantastic way to get out, explore new destinations, languages, and cultures, and learn more about yourself. You also have freedom to plan your trip as you’d like, change your plans on the fly, and travel at your pace.
If an international solo trip seems daunting, start small. Explore your local town or city, and then the surroundings, before moving to other travel spots in your country. When you’re ready, book that solo trip to London, Vietnam, or Madagascar.
11. Puzzles
Solving puzzles like crosswords, Sudoku (and its many varieties), and jigsaw puzzles keeps your mind sharp, improves your problem-solving skills, and helps you relax.
You can buy books with puzzles or cardboard jigsaw puzzles, download apps like Sudoku or Jigsaw Puzzles Epic, or solve puzzles online.
12. Photography
Introverts prefer being behind the camera to being in or posing for the perfect shot. You pretty much need a smartphone or camera to take up this solo hobby, and anything can be your subject.
You can walk around town and snap photos of interesting things that catch your eye, or you can go hiking and photograph nature.
13. Gaming
Gaming is for adults too! This hobby improves your problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and logical skills, and it can be relaxing.
There are many gaming genres, so you’ll be able to find games you like. For example, there are:
14. Journaling
Journaling is ideal for introverts, and it’s a solo hobby. It is also therapeutic as you reflect on your life and express your thoughts and feelings.
You can journal for various reasons:
Any book will do, and you can personalize your journal to encourage you to write.
15. Hiking
I personally love hiking, and while you can hike with other hikers, it’s a great hobby to do alone.
Go for a stroll in a forest or state or national park nearby, and breathe in the fresh air. You can hike at your own pace, and choose whether you’re going to challenge yourself today or not.
16. Arts and Crafts
Scroll on Pinterest or Instagram, and you’ll find your fingers itching to get creative with arts and crafts. The list of arts and crafts is pretty much endless, and you’ll never get bored.
One of my recent art and crafts was a DIY unicorn diamond art project I found on Pinterest, and I’m looking forward to learning about resin and making these galaxy coasters next.
17. Podcasts
If you are passionate about a topic or want to learn about something new, then podcasts are ideal.
You can even listen to your favorite podcast on your way to work when you ride the subway or when you work out at the gym.
18. Online Courses
If you want to further your education or even just learn about a topic you are interested in, then online courses are the way to go. Some of these are free, and you pay when you want the certificate. Investing in some courses is also a good way to improve your skills.
Check out what’s on offer on Udemy or Coursera, or create your own course on platforms like Thinktific, LearnDash, or Kajabi.
19. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
While there may be some human interaction at an animal shelter, you mostly work with cats, dogs, or rabbits.
You get to bathe, groom, play with, and feed these adorable beings – and be yourself while you love the animals.
20. The Art of Origami
You can do origami during your lunch break or in the evenings at home. You only need origami paper and YouTube instructional videos (or written instructions) to get started.
You can start with simple designs, and as you practice more, you can create intricate origami structures.
21. Calligraphy
Are you also entranced when you watch videos of people writing in the most beautiful and creative lettering? And best of all, you can use your calligraphy skills to write personalized cards, thank you notes, and more!
You need a calligraphy set (fountain pen, ink, and nibs, or brush pens) and calligraphy paper to get started. Get instructions online or on YouTube.
22. Solo Exercises
If you want to do cardio or strength training or a combination of both, there are many workouts to choose from.
You can exercise at the gym, from the comfort of your home while following along to Kayla Itsines, @Lisafiitt, or the Fitness Blender trainers, or just go outside and run, ruck, cycle, kayak, or canoe.
23. Star-Gazing
It’s calming to lay on a blanket outside and just watch the night sky and stars. You can really unwind while you find and name the constellations.
24. A Spa Day
If you like to do a spa day but you’re allergic to people, then you can have a DIY spa day at home. Have a relaxing soak in the tub or a shower.
Then, soak your feet in a tub with some Epsom salts and pamper them with a scrub, mask, or massage. Try a DIY face mask and paint your nails.
25. Practice Hairstyles
Another cool solo hobby is to practice different hairstyles on your own hair. Try a waterfall braid, curls, or something more intricate.
There are many videos with step-by-step instructions to help you learn.
26. Cake Decorating
Learning how to decorate cakes is the ideal companion hobby when you bake.
Look on Pinterest for the best cake ideas, and you’ll feel inspired to make galaxy, minimalist, mermaid, unicorn, and fault line cakes, cake pops, cookies, and cakesicles.
27. Get “dolled up” with Makeup
If you love makeup but never have time to try a new look, then practice when it’s me-time.
Find images on Pinterest and Instagram or watch YouTube videos and replicate interesting looks.
28. Paint Your Nails
Instead of getting your nails done professionally, you can learn to do them yourself.
With online tutorials and your creativity, you can create any look you desire and wow your friends and family.
29. Musical Instrument
If playing drums, piano, the guitar, or another musical instrument has ever called to you, now is the time to pick up the instrument of your choice and learn how to play.
There are plenty of online tutorials on YouTube or you can sign up for a course.
30. Your Favorite Tunes
Listening to music helps you destress and it improves your mood.
So find your old CDs or vinyl tracks, or stream your favorite songs via Spotify or Apple Music. Sit back, relax, and enjoy.
31. Coding
You don’t need to be super tech savvy to learn how to code. There are apps available (like Mimo, Codecademy, and Sololearn) on online tutorials that make coding beginner-friendly so anyone can learn.
Use your new coding skills to automate some repetitive tasks for work or create a website to show off your passions.
32. Listen to Bedtime Stories
Many celebrities are reading children’s bedtime stories – but even adults can also enjoy the soothing voices of Chris Pine, Oprah, Jennifer Garner, and more on StorylineOnline.
Listen to these before you go to bed or whenever you want to chill.
33. Veg Out on Movies and TV Shows
Stream your favorite movies and TV shows or discover new ones to watch.
Chilling with Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Starz, or Amazon Prime is a perfect solo hobby as you immerse yourself with the characters you see online.
34. Museums
Learn new things by visiting local museums or even traveling to other museums in nearby cities.
Whether you are interested in history, art, science, or other topics, there’s a museum out there for you.
35. Make Vision Boards
Vision boards represent your goals and dreams; they inspire, motivate, and encourage you.
Collect quotes and images, and make a digital vision board on Canva. Or cut out magazine pictures, collect trinkets, and create a vision board you can place in your kitchen or study.
Final Thoughts on Hobbies to Do Alone
Solo hobbies aren’t just for us introverts. They are ideal for anyone who needs time for themselves to recharge and just be.
Luckily, there are many hobbies you can do alone. Simply choose the ones that appeal to you from this list… or leave some ideas of your own in our comments section below!
Looking for more hobby ideas to enrich your life with? We’ve got you covered. Check out our guide on 55 hobbies for women to relax or our guide on 101 hobbies for men to be happier.
