Some hobbies require a lot of equipment. If you want to take up a sport like, say, hockey, you will need protective gear, a stick, ice skates, and so on. This can get expensive fast, but if you have the money and are truly interested it may be worth it. If you’re on a budget, look for a hobby that’s low cost. Something like knitting, for example, only requires basic supplies like needles, yarn, and some scissors. While you’ll have to put some money towards this hobby, you can find many of these supplies for a lower cost online, at a department store, or a craft store. Even if a hobby does require equipment, start off with the cheap stuff. Don’t buy a $10,000 guitar if you’re just barely learning to play. It’s okay to spend something, but start slow.

Things like reading, drawing, or crossword puzzles can be done in small spare moments. You can do these things on your lunch break or after dinner at night. They do not require a lot of time. These may be good if you’re already busy. Other hobbies require a great deal of free time. Something like gardening, for example, must be done for a set number of hours each day. If you have a lot of free time to fill, opt for a hobby like this.

If you need the motivation of others, joining a sports team or a book club can be an excellent hobby as it forces you to interact with others. If you’re a more introverted person, something you do alone, like reading, maybe a better choice. Check out what people are interested in on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok. There’s nothing wrong with borrowing a hobby from someone else!

Think about skills you have always fantasized about having. Have you occasionally imagined yourself as a talented singer? Teaching yourself to sing in your spare time may be exciting for you. Have you always wanted to impress people with your art? Try taking up drawing or painting. Reviewing your past can help. What subjects did you love in school? What extracurricular activities from high school or college were most thrilling for you? This can offer hints on what kinds of hobbies you may enjoy as an adult.

For example, maybe you already enjoy cooking for yourself each night. You’re not skilled, but you’re a decent cook and have always been up for new recipes. You could take a cooking class. As you already know the foundations of cooking, it’ll be easier to get into the swing of things with this new hobby.

For example, maybe you’re slightly sedentary by nature and are a bit resistant to going out. You could try running or hiking, both of which force you to get out and move.

For example, you may write down things like words, books, language, culture, trivia, and so on. A good hobby may be doing crossword puzzles, which will force you to think logically about words and use your trivia knowledge to decipher clues.

Choose a friend with compatible interests. If you have a friend who’s into extreme sports, while you tend to like staying in with a book, the two of you will not be a good match hobby-wise. Instead, choose an equally bookish friend. The two of you could try joining a local book club together.

If you tend to be more solitary, you can look for support online. If you’re a knitter, for example, you can post in forums asking for advice and inspiration involving new knitting projects.

If you’re trying to take up running, for example, try starting with 5 to 10-minute runs and gradually increasing the length as you get more physically fit.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with dropping a hobby that isn’t doing anything for you. You can always pick something new that catches your eye in the future.