Do you love spending time alone but aren’t always sure how to spend your time alone? I hear ya!
Taking up solo hobbies is totally a thing for introverts who need “me-time” to recharge, CEOs, teachers, or stay-at-home moms who need a break from their hectic lives.
Choosing hobbies to do alone has plenty of benefits: It boosts your creativity, gives you a chance to unwind, and helps improve your happiness.
Our list of the 35 best solo hobbies offers a diverse array of fulfilling hobbies that can serve as both an escape from the chaos of daily life and a path to personal growth.
Whether you're looking to unleash your creativity, cultivate new skills, or find peace amid the noise, these solo habits can be the perfect way to decompress, recharge, and revitalize your spirit.
Join us as we delve into a world of hobbies that promise not only relaxation but also an opportunity to discover something new about yourself.
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 beneficial for various reasons. You learn new skills, enriching your life… and striving for “practice makes perfect,” which develops perseverance and patience.
Hobbies make you more interesting since you can share your work 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 others. As such, introverts 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. For introverts lucky enough to work from home or in an environment without much interaction, solo hobbies give them a way to keep their minds sharp.
Hobbies can also enrich one's life, making it more meaningful and giving it purpose. These activities are fulfilling in a way that one's job may not be.
Introverts are also prone to overthinking, so practicing their hobby can soothe their minds. They don’t have to overanalyze; instead, introverted humans can express their thoughts and feelings and enjoy being in the moment, which brings them peace.
Solo hobbies also give introverts dedicated me-time, which lets them deepen their bond with themselves. Plus, hobbies can provide them with 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 those who 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 as a hobby you can do alone is excellent because it allows personal expression and creativity.
Creative writing enables the construction of imaginative worlds and characters, providing escapism and a profound sense of accomplishment.
This solitary pursuit is not limited to fiction, as blogging and non-fiction writing allow individuals to share insights and knowledge across various topics.
Engaging in writing groups can further improve this solitary hobby, providing a supportive community where ideas are exchanged and skills are honed.
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 it one of your solo hobbies is the perfect way to make time for it.
As a solitary hobby, you can delve deeply into different ideas, cultures, and eras through diverse genres. Whether it's the gripping suspense of thriller books, the imaginative landscapes of fantasy novels, or the enlightening narratives of non-fiction, reading provides solace and wisdom for introverts and extroverts alike.
A book club can enrich the reading experience by encouraging discussions and sharing insights. Meanwhile, journaling, another great hobby to do alone, complements reading by allowing personal reflections on themes and characters encountered in literature.
You can borrow books from your local library, browse a book store to see your next read, or read eBooks on your Kindle or phone.
4. Cooking and Culinary Arts
Cooking and baking provide a fulfilling hobby that allows individuals to unleash their creativity through experimenting with diverse recipes. Plus, you get to eat some great food.
Whether you are baking a delicate soufflé or crafting an elaborate entrée, the process of creating meals can be both rewarding and meditative. You can take baking courses or attend a local cooking class that will enhance your culinary skills while offering the opportunity to meet like-minded food enthusiasts.
For those who prefer to learn in the comfort of their kitchen, online cook-along sessions or streaming cooking shows provide a modern alternative.
Enthusiasts often turn to food blogs, recipe books, or their own curated recipe cards for inspiration. Exploring native cuisine broadens one's appreciation for global flavors and techniques, making the culinary arts a truly immersive hobby.
YouTube is an excellent resource for learning how to cook or bake. You can also sign up for online cooking lessons with your favorite chef.
5. Gardening and Nature: A Journey into the Green World
Gardening and connecting with nature through hobbies like growing plants, foraging, birdwatching, and starting an herb garden offer invaluable opportunities for relaxation and fulfillment.
Whether tending to a vibrant array of houseplants on sunlit window sills or exploring the countryside in search of unique flowers to press and preserve, these activities enrich mind and body.
Cultivating a space for growing herbs or vegetables yields health benefits and instills a deep connection with the earth. Engaging with nature through these tranquil pastimes encourages mindfulness and a profound appreciation of the natural world.
6. Learning a New Language
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 technological advances, 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.
[See this list of 7 excellent language learning apps to help get started]
7. Coloring – A Hobby for Art Therapy
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—pencils, markers, or something else. You can also print adult coloring pages from the internet and enjoy.
8. Meditation and Yoga
Pursuing hobbies that focus on mindfulness and relaxation can transform mental and emotional well-being.
Ideas for these spiritual and calming activities include meditation, tai chi, tarot reading, I Ching, nature walks, aromatherapy, yoga, breathing exercises, and more.
Meditation, for example, offers a tranquil space for introspection, guiding individuals toward inner peace and silence. Meanwhile, engaging with tarot or goddess cards stimulates intuition and provides insight into one's spiritual journey.
A spiritual mentor can provide wisdom and direction for those seeking guidance. Or you can simply download apps like Headspace, Calm, or Alo Moves to your smart device and/or you can find YouTube videos to guide you.
[14 Mindfulness Apps to Help You Get Started]
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 combine with hiking or solo travel hobbies to go outside and find great landscapes or city views.
10. Traveling Solo
Traveling alone is a fantastic way to get out, explore new destinations, languages, and cultures, and learn more about yourself. You also have the 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 its surroundings before moving to other travel spots in your country. Book that solo trip to London, Vietnam, or Madagascar when you're ready.
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 and Visual Arts
Photography and visual arts are dynamic hobbies that can be done alone. These hobbies engage individuals in both art's technical and creative aspects, providing a means for personal expression and communication.
Photography allows you to see the world differently, capturing moments and details often overlooked. Visual arts offer various mediums for showcasing creativity, from drawing and painting to digital creations.
Beginners can enter this hobby by referencing guides tailored to foundational skills such as camera-phone mastery.
Specific specialties of this hobby, like food photography and landscape photography, focus on capturing the essence and beauty of these subjects, and photography projects can serve as a platform for personal expression.
Smartphone technology has revolutionized photography, making street photography and portrait photography more accessible to all.
You can easily combine photography with other solo hobbies by becoming an expert in photography to highlight your newfound skills. For example, you could take pictures of what you cook or grow or stunning images from your hikes or travels.
To get started with these visual art hobbies, you can take online classes, learn from the School of YouTube, or check out great blogs.
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 can 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 love hiking. While you can hike with other hikers, it’s a great hobby to do alone.
Go for a stroll in a forest, state, or national park nearby and breathe in the fresh air. You can hike at your own pace and choose whether to challenge yourself today.
16. Arts and Crafts
DIY arts and crafts present numerous opportunities for people to express creativity while honing their manual skills.
There is a wide range of solo hobbies you can do alone that fall into this category, including activities such as painting, knitting, and needlework. These hobbies will allow for artistic expression and foster essential cognitive skills.
Pottery making and découpage provide relaxing outlets encouraging focus improvement and stress reduction, making them ideal pastimes for unwinding.
These hobbies will also allow you to create unique gifts for friends and family, unique hand-made treasures your inner circle will cherish.
17. Podcasts
If you are passionate about a topic or want to learn something new, then podcasts are ideal.
You can even listen to your favorite podcast while riding the subway or working out at the gym.
Here are some curated podcast lists to find ones that are right for you:
- Happiness Podcasts
- Funny Podcasts
- Christian Podcasts
- Motivational Podcasts
- Thought Provoking
- Psychology
- Educational
- Self Help
- Personal Finance
- Productivity
18. Learning and Skill Development Via Online Courses
Engaging in hobbies involving new skills can be incredibly fulfilling and transformative. Many of these skills can become hobbies of their own, but if you want to be a polyglot, learning a series of skills one after another can become its own hobby.
Here are a few ideas of some of the skills that can be learned online as part of a “skill learning” hobby:
- Programming Languages
- Home Brewing Beer
- Graphic Design
- Digital Marketing
- New Languages
- Data Analysis
- Photography
- Web Development
Want to learn more about what skills you can learn online as part of your new hobby? Check out what’s on offer on Udemy or Coursera, or create your own course on platforms like Thinktific, LearnDash, or Kajabi.
[See a comprehensive list of 101 new skills to learn]
19. Volunteer at an Animal Shelter
While some human interaction may exist at an animal shelter, you primarily 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. To get started, you only need origami paper and YouTube instructional videos (or written instructions).
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? Best of all, you can use your calligraphy skills to write personalized cards, thank you notes, and more!
To get started, you need a calligraphy set (fountain pen, ink, nibs, or brush pens) and calligraphy paper. Instructions are available online or on YouTube.
22. Solo Physical Activities
Getting and staying fit matters. Fitness is a great hobby to pursue on your own. All you need to get started on traditional fitness activities are some weights and perhaps good running shoes for some running.
There are also more “fun” hobbies for physical activity. Yoga, pilates, rock climbing, solo exercise, rucking, cycling, and cold-water swimming promote physical and mental well-being.
Engaging in these activities provides a unique opportunity to connect with oneself, build physical strength, and foster a sense of mental clarity and focus. Cold-water swimming, for example, invigorates the body and sharpens the mind, while yoga blends movement with mindfulness to enhance flexibility and reduce stress.
You can cultivate a resilient spirit and a balanced well-being by immersing yourself in these solo hobby activities.
23. Star-Gazing
It’s calming to lay on a blanket outside and watch the night sky and stars. You can unwind while you find and name the constellations.
24. A Spa Day
If you like to do a spa day but are allergic to people, 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 fantastic solo hobby is to practice different hairstyles on your 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. A plethora of TV shows, “Great British Bake Off“, “Cake Boss“, and “Is it Cake,” show the growing popularity of this fun mixture of baking and artistic expression,
Look on Pinterest for the best cake ideas, and places like YouTube and skills learning sites like Udemy for beginner guides to getting started.
27. Get “dolled up” with Makeup
If you love makeup but never have time to try a new look, practice when it’s me-time.
Find images on Pinterest and Instagram, and watch YouTube videos to 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 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
Playing music is not the only way to make it a hobby. You can also listen to music, learn more about what happens behind the scenes with your favorite artists, and explore new genres.
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. When you get good at it, this can be a great hobby you can roll into a side-hustle. Coders are always in demand.
32. Listen to Bedtime Stories
Many celebrities are reading children’s bedtime stories, but even adults can 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. Upcycling and DIY Projects
Upcycling and DIY projects are increasingly popular hobbies. They promote creativity and resourcefulness and offer a sustainable way to personalize one's home.
These hands-on activities, such as candle-making and whittling, encourage individuals to repurpose and transform everyday items into something unique and beautiful. From crafting intricate trinket dishes out of oyster shells to building rustic coffee tables from old chairs, upcycling breathes new life into discarded materials.
Exploring your local thrift or charity shops can provide a treasure trove of inspiration — perfect for finding the right materials for your next project.
Once again, you can find inspiration, ideas, and beginner-level introductions on YouTube, Pinterest, and skill-learning websites.
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 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. You can also cut out magazine pictures, collect trinkets, and create a vision board you can place in your kitchen or study.
You can use this guide to get started making vision boards. If online vision boards are more your speed, see some of the best vision board apps.
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. Choose the ones that appeal to you from this list… or leave some ideas in our comments section below!
Looking for more hobby ideas to enrich your life with? See more of our posts on hobbies:
- 41 Hobbies for Introverts to Try
- 65 Best Hobbies for Couples to Share
- 101 Hobbies for Women to Relax and Enjoy Life
- 30 Weird Hobbies That Are Bizarre to Most People
- 51 Fun Hobbies for Teens to Get Them Away from Devices
