The colder the temperatures get, the likelihood of me leaving the house gets smaller. I feel like January/February are the grayest, most dreariest months. It is easy to fall into the motions of working (from home most of us still), then immediately slumping into your couch under a blanket and start binging a show. Now nothing is wrong with that, it is what majority of my nights look like. However, sometimes I start to get a little stir crazy this time of year.
Don’t get me wrong—I love a good binge session, but it gets old. Add snowstorms into the mix, and suddenly an entire season is paused (especially after the holidays end) for all the stuff we’ll probably start up again once the world thaws. If you don’t want to spend all winter feeling frozen in time, here’s a list of fun, fulfilling hobbies you can start within the comfort (and warmth) of your own home!
1. Experiment in the kitchen
This is one of my favorite indoor activities that I like to do all year long! Whether you are ready for your own Food Network show, or just starting off in the kitchen, try new dishes, recipes, and methods. Experiment with new cuisines or flavor profiles and get creative. Yes, the food you eat for nutrition, pleasure, and comfort can also be an enjoyable way to pass the time and get your creative juices flowing when you’re stuck indoors through the season.
Nothing beats a classic comfort meal. Plus cooking and using your oven makes your house extra toasty. Try some of my favorite soup recipes here!
If cooking anything beyond the basics feels totally out of your wheelhouse, try investing in a good cookbook first. As you get used to new recipes and new flavor combinations, you’ll need cookbooks less and less to whip up something great. Also nothing is better than a pretty cookbook!
2. Sharpen your writing skills
As y’all know I started BasicallyB as a creative outlet. Writing has always been one of my strong suits and how I enjoy expressing myself. Writing does amazing things for your brain. The easiest place to start is with a journal. So there so many kinds of journals out there for writing. Gratitude journals, daily journals, mindfulness journals, anything. Here are a few that I have used in the past or currently. I am trying to spend 5-10 minutes a day journaling. The best part about these journals is that there are different prompts every day.
3. Tackle your TBR pile
If you have a mile long TBR list, consider taking some time and diving in. You may not be able to jet off on a beach vacation this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get some quality reading time in. Curling up with a good book is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening especially when it is too cold to go outside. My goal is to read 2 books a month. Here is what is on my TBR list that I want to dive in too.
4. Stay balanced with yoga
Even if you’re more of a HIIT or spin class kind of girl, think of yoga as an exercise for stress relief rather than just physical benefits. Certain yoga poses can help relieve anxiety or lessen the effects of sitting at a desk all day. Try adding a yoga practice into your daily routine to deepen your breath, stay connected to your body, and make it to summer with as little stress as possible. I started doing yoga last summer and it has been wonderful, I have really enjoyed it!
Recently I have been adding a short 10 minute flow to the end of my workouts, or even just making sure I am taking time for stretching and breathing.
5. Learn a new language
Why not spend all winter learning a new language, then try out your newfound skills on your next vacation? This hobby will keep your mind stimulated and, if you keep it up, give your resume a major boost. Plus, you’ll be challenging your mind and have a goal to work toward (like watching that French film without subtitles), which always makes hobbies more fulfilling.
Fun fact: I minored in Spanish and at one point was almost fluent. But since graduating I haven’t kept up with it and lost a lot. I would love to brush up on those skills – especially because my next trip I will be needing it! Italian has also been a language I would love to learn too!
6. Try A New Workout
Don’t roll your eyes just yet. Trying a new workout could actually be considered a “hobby” because workouts don’t have to be forced, painful, or boring. In fact, your workouts should like a hobby, whether it’s a relaxing yoga flow after a long day or an energizing dance class that reminds you of a GNO when it’s too cold to actually go to a club.
For me, buying a Peloton was the greatest thing for my workouts during the winter. I literally have no excuse because I just have to go in the other room and clip in. I love how they have all different kinds of workouts. From cycling, to strength, to barre, to yoga, and meditation. So whichever my body needs I can find a class for it ranging from 5 minutes to an hour.
But if Peloton is not your thing there are a ton of different workouts out there. Fiton is a great free option. I did The Sculpt Society during the height of the pandemic. I also heard the Obé Fitness is another great online workout plan!
7. Start an indoor herb garden
Gardening doesn’t have to be an outdoor activity only for summertime. Keeping a few different herbs indoors not only adds a refreshing feel to your home (and makes for pretty decor!), but it also means more flavorful, healthy meals for a fraction of the price of store-bought herbs. The best part? It’s so easy to start and keep up an indoor herb garden, you don’t even need a green thumb to do it.
If you’ve been here a while you know that I started my first “outdoor” herb garden this spring, and I have honestly missed having fresh herbs at my fingertips!
8. Learn how to apply your makeup
This also might not fall under a hobby for some of you, but hear me out! Makeup tutorials are so entertaining! Probably because full-face looks seem like a far-off dream—who has money for 32 high-end products and who is going anywhere fancy enough to be glam all of the time? I can’t hate on it too much—everything I’ve learned about makeup I’ve learned from my favorite YouTube beauty icons. I love a good before and after, trying out new techniques (mastering a winged eyeliner, for instance), and getting the 411 on new product reviews.
Learning how to master conturing, or the perfect red lip is a great way to spend a cold winter day!
9. Make your own soap and/or candles
We all went through the stages of baking banana bread and tie-dying everything in sight! Well this winter it is time to level up your crafting. Soap and candles are something you can never have too many of! I have candles lit at all times because it just adds such an ambiance! So why not try making your own? Order yourself some supplies, watch a few how-to videos, and get going. Bonus: you now have easy gifts for friends celebrating their birthday or just because!
10. Paint
Channel your inner Frida Kahlo and try painting. You don’t have to be an artist to pick up a paintbrush and get busy. If you want to go freehand, this painting kit from Amazon has everything you need to get started. If you’re like me and would like some direction (and a guaranteed pretty result), this paint-by-numbers set is a must-have. Put on some of your favorite tunes, grab a glass of wine, and get artsy.
Bonus points to host a little sip and paint with a few girlfriends! But I am definitely more on the paint by numbers pace.
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