8 Hobbies for Self-Improvement to Start Today
In a world where we're all trying to spend as little time as possible on our phones, starting a new hobby is a great way to not only take yourself away from the screen, but also to make friends with like minded people and build strong relationships.
But many people don't know that hobbies can also be an excellent addition to your self improvement journey. In this blog post, I am going to dive into 15 hobbies that are fun, exciting and also amazing for self improvement.
1. Journaling.
Journaling is very popular right now, and for a pretty good reason. Journaling is basically free therapy. You can have a conversation with yourself, tackle past traumas and even work on your mindset, all whilst doing something that's relaxing, enjoyable and reflective.
Even better is that journaling is really cheap to start. In fact, you probably already have a blank notebook and a pen at home that you can start with today.
But if you really want to take things up a notch, I would recommend investing in a guided journal that provides structure for your personal growth. These journals aren't just aesthetically pleasing, but they provide you with prompts and activities that make personal growth seamless, effective, and basically automatic.
The Dream Life Guided Journal which is a 27 step guide to creating the life of your dreams.This journal helps you to gain clarity on what your dream life looks like, understand what you need to do to achieve the life of your dreams, develop good habits, build a strong and resilient mindset, and take action on your goals.
If you want to make journaling more fun, why don't you try with a friend? Both invest in the same Guided Journal and host journaling sessions where you fill out the prompts and activities together.
2. Reading
During my own self-improvement journey, self help books for a complete lifesaver. They're a free way to gain expert advice from people that have gone through their own personal growth journeys and have learnt lessons that will be super valueable to your own growth.
Another great thing about books is that they can be really fun and engaging. You don't necessarily need to buy boring fiction books. There are plenty of non-fiction, history and documentary style books that can teach you great lessons about personal growth and self improvement.
My current favorite book is The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins, and I also love Atomic Habits by James Clear. If you've been in the self-improvement space for a while, you've probably already heard of these books. And if you haven't already read them, why haven't you? They're really amazing and will completely change the way that you think.
3. Cooking
I think one of the biggest flexes that you can possibly have is being a good cook. I mean, everyone loves someone who can cook a good meal, and it's a great way to feel a little bit better about yourself in a social situation. Anyway, cooking is another great hobby for self improvement.
Not only is it good for making yourself delicious meals, but it's also a really.Way to invest in your health You can teach yourself how to cook nutritious and wholesome recipes that are full of nutrients.
You can find tons of free recipes on Pinterest and a lot of the ingredients aren't as expensive as you might think. Plus, most recipes use very simple kitchen equipment, So this is a hobby that you can get started for a relatively low cost.
However, if you are feeling a little bit out there and you want to spend a bit of money on your self improvement hobby, you could always consider joining a cooking class.
4. Learn a new language
If you haven't downloaded Duolingo yet, you're missing out. This is an app that makes language learning fun, and believe me, it's kind of addictive.
Language isn't just fun and isn't just a good way to show off, it's also amazing for your brain. Learning language sharpens memory and boost creativity, which are both skills that we want to hone and maintain in the long run.
But from Duolingo isn't your thing. You can also learn languages by watching movies in foreign languages. This is also a really fun option that basically just gives you an excuse to binge Netflix in the name of self improvement.
6. Yoga
You’re probably not surprised to see a fitness-related hobby on here! But, Yoga isn’t just about staying fit! This ancient form of fitness also helps to reduce anxiety, ease stress and even reduce symptoms of depression.
Another great thing about Yoga is that it is free to start. You don’t need any fancy equipment, clothes or classes to try it out - you can find TONs of free 10-minute videos on YouTube.
Of course, once you’ve got the hang of things, you could treat yourself to a few classes or some nice equipment to take things up a level (there’s no harm in investing in your growth!).
A little side note: I get it. Yoga can seem pretty, dare I say, boring at first. But trust me, it gets better with time! When I started I got bored pretty easily. However, when I learnt how to use my breath to keep my thoughts in the present and really feel my body, the benefits became life changing!
You have to try it to know if it works! I like these Yoga cards for creating your own little Yoga flows.
7. Creative Writing
This self improvement hobby is great for your brain and maybe even your bank account!
If you’re good with words, creative writing can be a lucrative side hustle and a great way to strengthen your creativity, decision making skills, English language skills and even reduce stress (that’s a lot of benefits for something you can start for free!).
Starting is easy. Simply pick up a pen and paper, or a laptop if you prefer typing, and let your thoughts flow!
If you find yourself with writers block, consider using some creative writing prompts to get you started.
8. Walking & Hiking
This is another hobby that comes with both physical and mental benefits. Studies show that just 30 minutes of walking can reduce stress, boost your immune system, decrease symptoms of depression and even improve your gut health.
While walking is relatively common, hiking is a great way to make things a bit more of a ‘hobby’. You could join a hiking group, buy yourself some fancy hiking gear and plan a hiking trip with your friends.
As well as having a lot of self improvement benefits, hiking is also a great way to explore new places (who doesn’t love an excuse to travel!)
Self-improvement doesn’t have to feel like work. Picking up a hobby is a great way to grow, have fun, and build new skills. So, which one are you going to try first?
