How to start a new hobby
Step one: Don't quit before you get started.
If I could give you only one piece of advice about breaking your bad phone habits, it would be this: get a hobby.
It’s also the kind of advice that Old Me would roll my eyes at. Old Me is kind of an ass.
New Me has finally accepted that if I want to change my habits, I have to actually change. And when you’re making a real change in your life, it’s imperative to replace old unhealthy habits with new healthy habits. If you’re currently scrolling for hours of the day, you’re going to have to replace that time with something else, or you will backtrack on your goals.
You can use this time for catching up on projects or you can replace the habit of scrolling with simply relaxing. But the fact is – if you’re currently on your phone for 5-6 hours a day, chores and daydreaming won’t fill the time.
It’s time to pick up a new hobby.
Here’s whats pretty cool about starting a new hobby: It’s like being a kid again. Finding a new hobby that you’re excited about is a magical way to get to know yourself better, to rediscover to your strengths, and to pour yourself into something new and watch how it grows. Can you remember the last time you did that? The last time that you were truly fired up about something that inspired you?
Starting a new hobby can feel daunting, but I want to simplify it for you. Here are 4 straightforward steps to starting a new hobby:
Enjoy the discovery phase. Choosing the right hobby is important, but don’t take it too seriously. Make a list of a few things that interest you – maybe it’s photography, cooking, and knitting. Go to your local library and check out books on those topics. Sit down and read them and see what excites you, what you think might keep your interest. Maybe you’ll try a couple things to see what’s the right fit. There’s no perfect process here, you’re simply on a journey to find something that invigorates your creative spirit. It will take trial and error. Find joy in crossing things off your list, in discovering the unexpected. It’s all part of the adventure.
Take it slow. If you’re new to cooking, don’t expect to be making a Michelin level dish in a month. If you’ve never picked up a DSLR, you won’t be featured in a gallery on day 1. Focus on the process of learning. If you’re struggling with a step, break it down into smaller steps. It’s not about checking things off a list, it’s about really building a foundation for yourself. You’re not in a rush. Trust the process.
Find community. See if you can find local classes through your library or community rec center. Explore if there are groups or clubs that exist that you can join. If none exist, consider making your own club or finding a hobby partner who you can troubleshoot with and learn together! Hobbies don’t have to be isolating, they can be a great way to connect.
Delight in yourself. Be proud of your progress, but keep your focus on the experience, not the outcome. There isn’t an “end goal” when you find a hobby you love. The goal is to add something enriching to your life, something that is uniquely yours. Before, you were scrolling and tapping mindlessly on your phone. Now, you are creating something. You are talented and you should be proud.
A few landmines to avoid
I won’t lie to you, I never do. If you’re starting this hobby to take the place of your scrolling habits, there’s a few ways your phone might get in the way. With that in mind, here’s a few more tips:
Bulk up your “anti scrolling to do list” - Your body and brain are currently wired to pick up your phone when you’re bored. It’s the path of least resistance to getting a dopamine hit and you’ve been conditioned to do this time and time again. Starting a new habit will take time to rewire your brain. If you’re having a tough day and working on your hobby isn’t in the cards, that’s ok. But be ready with what you’ll do instead (reading, walking, meditation, yoga, resting, etc.).
Layer in more hobbies - When you feel like you’re in a good place with one hobby, add more in. There’s no reason you have to limit yourself. Keep the momentum going. The more hobbies you have, the less time you have to waste time on your phone.
Avoid relying on your phone to learn - There’s a wealth of information on the Internet that can help you master your new hobby, but there are a lot of ways to backtrack if you’re relying too much on it. We know how the YouTube algorithm can suck you in. We know social media is just a harmless click away. Remember, people learned how to do things before the Internet. Check out books from the library, take classes, ask people for help.
Need some ideas for what hobby to pick up? Check out my master list below.
Share your hobbies in the comments, I’d love to hear!