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Starting new things can be scary, and it can feel like there’s no point branching out from what you’re already good at. But anything you pick up in your 20s will be with you for the rest of your life, making now the best time to start. Here are 5 of the best hobbies to pick up in your 20s to set your future self up for success.
5 Best Hobbies to Pick Up in Your 20s
1. Photography
Your 20s could be some of the best years of your life, and there’s no better way to document them than with photography.
Photography is a great hobby to pick up in your 20s since there are virtually no start up costs. As a beginner, the camera on your phone should be good enough to take some gorgeous shots, and if you happen to enjoy it then you can always invest in a more professional camera down the line.
Photography is a fantastic way to boost your artistic thinking, and also gives you the opportunity to learn how to use photo editing software – a skill that may come in handy one day.
2. Writing
Writing is one of the best hobbies to pick up in your 20s, and is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time.
It’s a skill that anyone can become good at with enough practice, despite what your teachers may have told you at school. Just like any other skill, the more you write and the more you learn, the better you’ll become.
Becoming a great writer will help you express yourself more clearly – something that can help in all aspects of your life, from getting that promotion to helping you express problems in your personal relationships.
If you’re interested in learning to write – just start! You can share your work with others by publishing content online or starting a blog, but you don’t have to share your work if you don’t want to.
I’d even suggest starting a journal as a way of improving your writing. Anything and everything you write will develop your writer’s voice and help you become a more natural and compelling writer.
If you’d like to learn more about how to be a better writer, I suggest picking up a copy of On Writing Well by William Zinsser. It’s a brilliant guide to writing with tips that writers of any level can benefit from. This book has transformed my writing style and I’ve picked up habits that will stay with me for the rest of my writing career.
3. Reading
It’s common for people who loved books as children to lose that passion as they enter adulthood. But reading is relaxing, provides you with interesting conversation points, and is great for your general brain health – so you should consider getting into reading while you’re young.
Read everything you can get your hands on. Whether that’s fiction, non fiction, articles or poetry – the trick is to find something that interests you and start from there.
4. Language Learning
You don’t need to be talented to learn a language, and with free programs such as Duolingo there’s no better time to start.
Learning a language is hard work but is extremely satisfying, and will be well worth the effort when you’re finally able to communicate with someone in their native language.
If you’re serious about language learning then you can hire a language tutor or even travel to countries that speak your target language. These are fantastic opportunities to explore different cultures – something I highly recommend doing while you’re young.
And if you’re not able to travel then reading books, blogs, or listening to podcasts in other languages is highly rewarding and can be a great insight into other cultures.
5. Music
Learning an instrument from scratch can be overwhelming, particularly if you’ve never played one before.
But playing music is a great way to relax and take time for yourself. Few things are as satisfying as watching yourself progress in your chosen instrument, and the feeling of finally learning a piece you never thought you’d be able to is hard to beat.
If there’s an instrument you’ve always wanted to know how to play, just give it a shot! There are plenty of beginner level tutorials on YouTube or SkillShare (click here to get 2 months free on SkillShare), and if you want to take your learning a step further then you can take a paid course. It’ll be hard at first, but the more you practice the easier it’ll become.
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These are just 5 of the best hobbies to pick up in your 20s, but there are hundreds of others you can try. Let us know in the comments what your favorite hobby is – you may inspire someone else to pick it up!
I urge you to try something new and out of your comfort zone every once in a while. If you’ve been holding back from picking up a new hobby, then my advice is to just start. Pick something that interests you and give it your best shot.
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41 comments
Great post! Thank you for sharing this! I currently play two instruments and I am learning Spanish.
That’s great! I’d love to start learning Spanish soon. I’ve been learning French for years but Spanish really intrigues me.
Love this! Since leaving uni this month, I’ve been meaning to pick up on my French a bit – it was my highest grade at GCSE and now I’ve just lost my touch a bit!
Stay safe,
Niamh
xxx
I’m the same! I’ve been learning French for years but I feel like I just forget everything as soon as I take a few months off 😂
Agree with these! I’ve been doing a lot of reading and writing lately and I’m trying to learn a language too. As for playing an instrument, my dream would be to try the cello, but for now it remains a dream. Maybe someday soon!
Oh wow that would be amazing! I can’t wait for you to follow that dream.
Such a great post. I took up blogging because I love writing. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren | http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
This is such a great post – I love reading, and think it’s such a great skill to have. Journaling is something I would love to do/start – so far I haven’t managed to get into it due to writing my blog and constantly writing for university but it’s such a good thing to start and look back on in the future. I’d also love to learn a language – lockdown has made me realise how many activities and clubs I would like to start doing so I will be on the hunt for a language class. Thanks for sharing, some fantastic ideas here x
Paige // Paige Eades
I love journaling! I write a lot too and it’s really nice to write in a more care free style every now and again.
Awesome post! These are excellent hobbies for anyone to get into at any age! I have a hard time sticking with a lot of things, but reading & writing I have always stuck with since I started at a young age.
I have a whole list of hobbies to try out on my blog!
Thanks for sharing, nice blog post!!! I started learning a new language during lockdown, really enjoyed it
Love this! I’m already into photography and writing (obviously), I should read more and should probably really start with the other two!
Well I definitely feel like I’m on the right track seeing as how these are all hobbies I’ve picked up in 2020 lol I’m loving this post, super motivational!
xo Bri
Thanks, Bri!
My 20’s was actually when I stopped learning an instrument but I’d love to pick that up again, I used to play the drums and I loved it!
Being able to play the drums sounds so fun!
I feel proud that I have done or experienced all of these at some point in my life! Thank you for sharing 🙂
These area all such good ideas. I’m nearly halfway through my 20s and have done 3 of these, so will aim to take up photography and learn a language too!
This is great! Good luck!
Nice tips! I especially like where you remind folks that writing can be enjoyed as private undertaking and by no means a commitment to blog and share.
Right? I love blogging but it has nothing on the joy I get out of writing privately. Thanks for the comment!
These are brilliant ideas for hobbies that anyone can start to get in to. I’ve tried all of these, some of them from a young age, but some I fell away from, such as playing instruments. I have loved taking part in all of these hobbies and would like to get back in to them all.
Absolutely agree with writing! Even if you’re not a great writer, writing is a great skill and has so many mental health benefits as well! X
The benefits of writing on my mental health have been unreal – and totally unexpected! Nowadays it’s just something I automatically turn to when I’m feeling anxious or depressed. Thanks for commenting 😊
These are great suggestions! Honestly, as a music teacher, I hear SO many people say that they are ‘too old’ to learn an instrument, but you’re never too old! I’ve had students of all ages come through my class and I genuinely love each and every one of them. If there is anyone considering taking that first step, I say go for it! You never know unless you try!
That’s crazy! It’s such a widespread misconception and I’m not entirely sure where it comes from. Thanks so much for the insight 😊
I’ve actually started 3 of these as hobbies (reading, photography, and writing), and I’m working on trying to learn a new language, but that one’s been the most challenging! While I knew how to play a few instruments when I was younger I’m definitely more than rusty! My latest hobby has been drawing and painting, and I’ve been loving it! Great post xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Drawing and painting is a great hobby! I’ve just started to get back into drawing as well. It’s another of those ones that anyone can learn, but most people seem to think otherwise.
This was a great post, thank you for sharing it. I picked up reading again in my late 20s and now I can’t stop. Looking forward to checking out the writing book you recommended as I’m hoping to do NaNoWriMo this year so it will definitely come in handy!
Hayley | happilyeverhomebody.com
Thanks! It too me a while to get back into reading as well, but now I love it. Wow that’s amazing! I’ve always wanted to do NaNoWriMo so I may join you.
Great post with great ideas. I have also learned a new language (German) and written the blog post on the same.
I love these ideas! I really want to take more photographs of nature and I’d love to learn Italian. Thank you for sharing! 💛
Ooooh! Love these different tips for hobbies to pick up! I found learning a new language being super helpful. It’s fun to be able to speak a foreign language with someone else. You can never go wrong with taking on a new instrument! Working on the creative part of your brain!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
I agree – both are super fun! I also found that learning languages and instruments were good ways to keep my brain activated after I finished education.
Writing is a hobby that I love and I’m so happy to have. I want to take more photography this year too x
I’m in the exact same position! Writing is my main hobby but I want to get more into photography and more specifically photo editing.
I absolutely loved this post. Your blog is beautiful.
I love writing & have been writing for as long as I can remember, but I definitely want to get into photography this year.
Nons Mshengu – Cher Belle
I can’t wait to see some of your photography!
Yes to all of these! I’ve picked up drawing in my 20s haha. And I love it! Even though sometimes I feel self-conscious as so many people really get into art when they’re teenagers, but I’m trying to get rid of these thoughts and just enjoy it. Also, I definitely recommend everyone to try. I feel like my imagination became better since I picked it up and other things like writing became easier!
Drawing is a brilliant one! It can be really discouraging to see people who are younger than you creating things that are way out of your range, but it’s important to note they’ve put hours and hours of work into their craft. I love drawing and I agree with you that it helps develop your imagination – often little things in life can become a major source of inspiration for a drawing.
The best thing about the majority of these hobbies is that they are inexpensive to start! I’m a huge fan of sporting hobbies, but do love writing and reading – perfect hobbies for a rainy, miserable day.