18 Best Hobbies for Introverts to Try

Are you an introvert and looking for a perfect hobby for yourself? If you are, you’re in the right place. I’m someone who enjoys spending time by myself, so I totally get the need for some alone time. But what else is there other than watching TV? 

I have compiled a list of the best hobbies for introverts that will be a good fit for you if you don’t enjoy social settings too much. Many of these are fun solo activities you can do completely alone, but there are also some that can be a bit more social, depending on how you do them.  

Alright, let’s get to the list! There are some great hobbies here, so make sure to really take your time pondering whether a hobby would be right for you or not. Sometimes something that first seems boring or too difficult turns out to be something you love to do. 

1. Book club

If you like to spend your free time reading books and browsing new titles at your local library, how about joining a book club? There are many online book clubs you can join, so you don’t necessarily even have to meet any new people. 

The good thing about keeping things online is that you can choose how much interaction is right for you. Book clubs are also a great way to combine your love of reading and learning something about the world that you wouldn’t have learned on your own. And they are of course a great place to find good books to read! 

Related post: I Was in a Private Members’ Club for a Year – Here’s My Experience

2. Geocaching

Do you know what geocaching is? It’s kind of like orienteering, but you can look for the caches at your own pace, and it’s always interesting to see what is hidden in the cache. 

It’s also a fun way to get some fresh air and exercise. 

3. Writing

Creative writing is a great hobby to have, as challenging as it can be. Once you start getting the hang of it, writing short stories, poems, and even novels can honestly be a lot of fun, and writing skills always come in handy. 

You can write alone at home, or find some nice local coffee shop where there is just the right amount of background noise to get you in the zone to write your next masterpiece. 

4. Photography 

Everyone’s taking photos with their phones now, but that’s not the same as proper photography. If you are interested in learning to take better photos (even if it’s for Instagram), why not make a hobby out of it? 

Knowing what aperture, shutter speed, and ISO mean and how to control them to get the results you want is a useful skill to have. You don’t need to become a professional photographer, but learning different techniques and finding new ways to be creative and express yourself is always a good idea. 

5. Make YouTube videos

I feel like a lot of people have played with the idea of starting their own Youtube channel, but either haven’t bothered with it or have decided that it’s too late now. As an introvert, you might also wonder whether putting yourself in front of potentially thousands of people is a good idea. 

But the thing is, it’s definitely not too late for Youtube, and making videos is mostly a very solitary way to spend your time. I of course always tout new ways to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone, and I think creating a Youtube channel is a great way to do just that. 

It can be a fun hobby that exposes you to new challenges, possibly teaches you some new social skills as you figure out the best way to grab and maintain people’s attention, and maybe even brings in some money. 

6. Learn a new language

Why am I always talking about learning new languages? Well, I might only speak two languages myself, but I have also studied French, German, Swedish, and Spanish. And a little bit of Persian and Swahili, but I probably shouldn’t count those since I can barely form one sentence in either one. 

In any case, learning a new language can be useful, it can make you feel better about yourself, and it can even bring you joy while you’re doing it, which might sound crazy to you. I think the beginning is definitely the hardest part, but before you know it, you might be able to start reading simple books or listening to music in your target language. Learning a foreign language has also been linked with many cognitive benefits! 

7. Baking

If you like spending time in the kitchen, how about making baking your new hobby? Learning a new skill is always useful, and this one’s also delicious. 

By trying different recipes, you’ll find new favorites and maybe even start coming up with your own recipes. Another great thing is that you’ll never have to worry about having guests over again because you’ll easily conjure up something impressive. 

8. Museums

If you like art, why not make it a habit to go to museums more often? There are constantly changing exhibitions and little niche museums that you haven’t even heard of yet, waiting for you to discover their secrets. 

You could even take day trips to other cities just to check out their museums. 

9. Watercolor painting

A while ago adult coloring books were all the rage (well, some of the rage). I think doing something artistic is a great way to unwind after a long day or when you’re feeling stressed. 

Another thing I like to recommend is watercolor painting. If you need a creative outlet, watercolors are a medium worth considering because they are quite cheap, easy to use, and the results are beautiful. 

10. Volunteer work

I’ve done a lot of volunteer work, although most of it wasn’t exactly introvert-friendly. But the good thing about volunteering is that there are lots of different options available, and you can definitely find something that feels right for you. You can do it online, or find a small NGO or maybe an animal shelter that needs helping hands. 

You can learn a lot by volunteering and it looks good on your resume. If you’re ever looking to meet new people or make new friends, volunteering is also a good way to do that. 

Check these links out: 

UN Online Volunteering

VolunteerMatch

List of virtual volunteering opportunities

11. Crossword puzzles

Crossword puzzles aren’t just a fun and easily portable hobby; they can help you build your vocabulary and teach you some useful trivia. 

No social interaction needed, and this is definitely a healthier option than online games. There are plenty of different kinds of crossword puzzle magazines to choose from, some easy and some very challenging. 

12. Growing herbs

You don’t need a green thumb to grow some simple herbs, and seeing little green things sprout on your windowsill will make you feel like at least one thing in your life is right when it feels like everything is going wrong. 

Growing your own herbs is an easy way to make your cooking a little bit more interesting, and you’ll get results with minimal time and money investment. 

13. Taking online classes

One great option for a new hobby is to start taking online classes. I love learning new things and I’m quite sure you do too. There are plenty of online courses to choose from, whether you want to learn about US history or investing. You could even take dance classes online. 

You don’t need to take classes with a certificate in mind, it’s totally fine to do it simply for your own enjoyment. 

14. Start a blog

I myself really enjoy blogging, as challenging as it can be. If you like writing and creating content, why not start a blog? You don’t have to do it with the intent of building a huge audience and making thousands (as some do), a personal blog that you update every once in a while is good too. 

You’ll learn many new skills, become better at social media, and this is also something you might be able to add to your resume. While writing blog posts normally takes hours, writing a post for a personal blog doesn’t necessarily take more than half an hour. And in any case, it’ll be fun to read your entries in the future! 

15. Hiking

If team sports make you queasy, but you’d like to move your body a little, how does hiking sound? This is an excellent hobby for an introvert since you can technically get as far from others as you want. 

Hiking is of course good for your physical health, but it’s also good for your mind, and you never know what wonderful things and stunning scenery you’ll see on your adventures. It’s a perfect way to spend some quality time all by yourself. 

16. Learn to play a simple instrument

Have you always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument? Do you wish you could play some of your favorite songs? 

If you said yes, consider picking up some simple instrument, like the ukulele. Of course, you are free to choose any instrument you like, but an easier instrument might be less daunting. 

You can take music lessons or look for instructional videos on Youtube. After all, the joy of playing is more important than becoming a master. 

17. Coding

If you like to work with computers and create things, you might want to give coding a try. You can learn to build websites or apps from scratch. 

I’m always promoting Codecademy, it’s definitely worth checking out! But at the end of the day, it’s consistent practice that builds skills. 

18. Make greeting cards

Do you enjoy having little DIY projects, but there’s nothing you’re working on right now? If that’s the case, perhaps you could consider making greeting cards. It’s a painless form of creative expression that doesn’t take too much time or money, and there’s probably a birthday, birth, or Christmas just around the corner anyway. You’ll also get an excuse to hit the local craft store every once in a while, which is a bonus. 

Time to choose a new hobby for yourself!

I hope you found this post about new hobbies for introverts helpful. I myself love to try new things and if I had more time, I’d probably try all the hobbies there. It can take a while to figure out what’s the right hobby for you, but the best way to find it is to actively search for it. 

This list of hobbies includes both completely free hobbies and those that require little investment. I encourage you to spend a little money on hobbies that you’re interested in, even if you’re not 100% sure they’re your thing. Finding your place in the world requires some trial and error after all. 

Comment down below what are your current favorite hobbies, I always love to hear from my readers! Do you usually prefer solo hobbies, or do you perhaps tend to lean towards group activities even if you are an introvert?

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