For most of us, there are times when we like being around others, and times when it’s nice to be alone. The problem is, no matter how much we may need some ‘me-time’, we might not always know how to spend it.
But, there are all kinds of interesting hobbies you can do by yourself – and there are also many activities that are far more enjoyable to do solo.
To get you inspired, here are 14 fulfilling hobbies that you can do by yourself.
1. Writing
Writing can be an incredibly rewarding solo pursuit – and it’s never too late to start. Whether you’ve always enjoyed writing and have dreams of publishing a book, or you’d just like to get creative and see what you’re capable of.
You could try writing a novel, short story, or a non-fiction book. Alternatively, you might like to try your hand at blogging or journaling. To find out more about how to get started with writing, head over to the books, literature, and writing section of our website. Here, you’ll also find our Writers Corner space, where you can share your writing with other readers.
While sitting down and staring at an empty page can be daunting, it’s important to remember that, for most people, getting going is the most difficult part. Once you find your flow, you’ll probably wonder where the time has gone.
If you’re looking for support and inspiration, you might like to join the writing group or poetry community club over on Rest Less Events.
2. Chess
Chess might be a game for two, but it can also be played as a solo game, and playing by yourself offers a whole host of benefits. Not only does it allow you to practise your tactics, but it can also boost cognitive skills and creativity.
Two-player chess is all about anticipating your opponent’s moves, which requires focus, strategy, and patience. Solo chess is the same but arguably more difficult; after all, who can predict your next move better than you?
In order to play solo chess, you, of course, need to play as both competitors, so the only requirement is learning how not to favour one side over the other, and to keep an unbiased viewpoint. This doesn’t mean all your games will end up in a draw, however – as inevitably, you’ll make a mistake at some point – which will give your ‘opponent’ the upper hand!
You can play solo chess using a traditional chess board or online, on a solo chess server. The beauty of solo chess is that it’s not a fast game; it’s designed to be played slowly, and games can take days or weeks to finish.
3. Foraging
If you like being outdoors and cooking from scratch, foraging might be right up your street. Foraging involves collecting food from nature – anything from mushrooms and berries to herbs and plants.
Not only does foraging allow you to connect with nature and enjoy some quiet time in the Great Outdoors, but it also means you’ll feel more connected to the meals you eat – and you’ll know you’re eating healthily and sustainably, too. Plus, you’ll save money on food shopping!
However, it’s important to know exactly what ingredients you’re looking for and to be aware that some UK plants and fungi are toxic. To brush up on your knowledge, check out this foraging guide from BBC Good Food. And for cooking inspiration, have a read of our article: 11 foraged food recipes.
4. Photography
Another creative pursuit you might like to try is photography. There are many different types of photography, so you can experiment to find your niche.
If you have a passion for food, why not look into food photography? If you like snapping pictures of everyday life, street photography could be for you. Like being in nature? Why not try landscape photography? Given the calibre of smartphones these days, you won’t need to fork out for an expensive camera either.
To learn more, have a read of our articles: A beginner’s guide to photography, How to take better photos with your phone, and 8 fun photography projects that you can start today.
Or, to learn about iconic photographers and their impact on different genres of photography, you might like to join the six-part series on Rest Less Events. Kicking off on 21st March 2025, you’ll be encouraged to dive into the world of photography, learn about its greats, and unleash your creativity.
5. Birdwatching
Another great solo pursuit for people who enjoy connecting with the natural world is birdwatching. One of the best things about birdwatching is that you can do it anywhere – even from the comfort of your home.
Simply looking out the window and seeing what birds you can spot can be fascinating – and often surprising! Many people also enjoy the meditative and mindful aspects of birdwatching, as it can help you focus on the present moment.
Once you’ve started to observe the habits and behaviours of the birds around you, you might be amazed at how quickly you develop a passion for it. And there are all kinds of exciting bird events to watch out for – such as migratory birds passing through or chicks hatching.
To find out more, have a read of our beginner’s guide to birdwatching.
6. Needlework
If you’re looking for a hobby you can do indoors, why not consider needlework?
There are all kinds of needlework to try. For example, if you like the idea of making your own clothes, knitting or crochet might be for you. Or, if you’d prefer to make pretty designs, cross-stitch could be your thing.
Whatever form of needlework you decide to try, you’ll get plenty of benefits from it. Needlework has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus, and even boost cognitive skills. Plus, you’ll end up with hand-made treasures that make perfect gifts.
You don’t need any special skills to become a knitting or sewing whizz – you’ll just need some patience.
For more ideas on how to give needlework a go, head over to the art section of our website. Or, why not join the crochet and chat group on Rest Less Events?
7. Gardening
Gardening can be a fulfilling way to spend your time. It also offers lots of health benefits; it can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, and boost mood and self-esteem. Plus, gardening outdoors is a great form of exercise and allows you to get some fresh air.
Gardening can also help you feel connected to nature, and growing living things and seeing them flourish is hugely satisfying. You don’t need lots of space to get growing either. Have a read of our article, 9 tips for gardening in small spaces, to find out more.
Plus, if you enjoy cooking, you could grow your own vegetables and herbs. Again, you don’t need a garden or even a balcony for this, as many small plants and herbs grow happily on window sills.
For more information, head over to the gardening section of our website.
8. Exercise
There are all kinds of exercises that are perfect to do solo. If you’re looking to work on your strength, balance, and flexibility – and also reduce stress and anxiety – why not try yoga or Pilates? Or, if you’d like to get your heart pumping, why not give running or cycling a try, or have a go at combat sports?
Alternatively, walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise and can be easy to slot into your daily routine. Even better, you could enjoy listening to a podcast or audiobook as you walk.
For further inspiration, head over to the fitness and exercise section of our website. Or, why not sign up for a virtual exercise class over on Rest Less Events?
9. Whittling
If you’ve always been intrigued by the act of turning a plain piece of wood into something beautiful or useful, why not have a go at whittling?
Whittling is an ancient form of wood carving that doesn’t require any special skills to get going. You don’t even need any specific tools – just a knife and some wood.
You can carve objects like bowls and spoons or more intricate items, like sculptures, chess pieces, or figurines. Having to concentrate intently on what you’re doing means that whittling is another mindful activity, and it’s been proven to reduce stress and help you focus on the present moment.
To give it a go, check out our beginner’s guide to whittling. Or, you might like to read our beginner’s guide to carpentry.
10. Learning a language
Learning a language can be an enriching experience that allows you to discover new cultures and connect with different people. Plus, there are health perks to learning a language. It can boost cognitive skills like listening, multitasking, flexibility, and problem-solving; enhance your job prospects; and improve self-esteem.
An easy way to get started is to try apps like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone, where you can spend as little or as much time as you’d like practising listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. We also have various virtual language classes available and discussion groups over on Rest Less Events.
For more inspiration, you might like to check out our articles: 6 languages that are easier for English speakers to learn and 7 tips for immersing yourself in foreign languages.
11. Painting
If you have an untapped artistic streak, why not give painting a go? Like other creative activities, painting has powerful health benefits: it can improve memory, boost focus, sharpen motor skills, relieve stress and anxiety, and foster emotional growth.
Another perk of painting is that anyone can do it – you just need plenty of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. You could try painting a portrait, a landscape, a still-life, or experiment with colour and brushwork as freely as you like…after all, the best thing about art is there are no rules! Painting isn’t just a fun way to spend your time, it also gives you an outlet to express yourself.
To find out more, have a read of our painting guide.
12. Calligraphy
The ancient art of calligraphy has been practised since 600 BC and remains popular today.
Learning how to write letters and symbols in beautiful and elaborate ways is both relaxing and satisfying – and you don’t need to be good at writing or drawing to have a flair for calligraphy. You just need to be patient and give yourself time to master the specific strokes each calligraphy letter is made up of.
Picking up a pen and taking the time to create something beautiful can be rewarding and meditative. Plus, once you’ve mastered the art of calligraphy, you’ll be able to make personalised cards for loved ones!
For more information, have a read of our introduction to calligraphy.
13. Playing a musical instrument
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument, why not spend some time making those dreams a reality?
There are countless benefits of learning to play an instrument: it’s fun, can boost your mood, distract you from negative thoughts, improve memory, and reduce stress.
Plus, while learning an instrument is a hobby best practised solo, once you’ve learned the basics, you can look into joining a music group. So, if you’re looking to expand your social circle and meet new people, it’s an excellent choice.
Many people think that if they never learned how to play an instrument as a child, they’ll struggle as an adult – but this isn’t true. It’s never too late to acquire new skills, and music is no different. Having said that, some instruments are easier to pick up than others, so have a read of our article, 7 of the easiest musical instruments for adults to learn, to find out more.
14. Cooking and baking
One of the most immediately rewarding solo hobbies is cooking/baking because you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour straight away!
If you’d like to improve your culinary skills, why not have a look at some food blogs and websites for tips? Or check out some online cooking tutorials, like Skillshare’s knife skills class or secrets of slow cooking tutorial.
Alternatively, head over to the food and drink section of our website for more inspiration. Here, you’ll find articles like 12 tips to make cooking for one easier and 10 nostalgic baking recipes.
Final thoughts…
Spending time by yourself is important for many reasons. It’s a chance for self-reflection, discovery, and relaxation – and finding a new hobby can be the perfect way to enjoy it. Whether it’s heading out for a walk or a run, finding a quiet corner to paint in, or losing yourself in music, the importance of carving out time for yourself should never be minimised.
On the flip side, some of us may spend more time alone than we’d like, and if that’s the case, we hope the activities in this list have inspired you.
If none of these ideas have jumped out at you, head over to the hobbies and activities section of our website for more ideas.
Do you enjoy spending time by yourself? What do you do with this time? Are you interested in any of these hobbies? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.