If you’re anything like me, you’re likely always on the hunt for a new creative outlet. Personally, my ideal day off involves sewing a tablecloth into a full-length ballgown, reading an entire six-book series, and painting a 10-foot-tall Renaissance portrait of myself, all at once.
I love a good activity, and luckily, with the rise of same-day shipping and craft stores, I can satisfy my every creative whim instantly — one of my favorite conveniences of modern life.
However, with so many hobbies at my disposal, not all creative pursuits are equal. I have a specific criterion for judging hobbies, which I’ve labeled the three Ps: price, process, and payoff.
Before I get into my rankings, though, I feel like I should clarify that I have yet to find a hobby that I don’t enjoy. All hobbies are worth considering, but some undoubtedly score higher than others.
- Making jewelry
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Making jewelry is my newest hobby to date, and I’m loving it so far. I took up this hobby for two reasons: jewelry can be expensive, and I have the smallest micro-wrists known to man, which makes finding bracelets that fit a near impossibility.
As far as the three Ps go, making jewelry scores well in payoff, but not as well in process and price, depending on the type of jewelry you decide to make. For me personally, the cases of beads were a bit of an investment, and I went as cheaply as I could.
My hack for saving money is going to the thrift store, finding outdated chunky necklaces with lots of beads on them, and upcycling those for my own creations.
As for the process, making jewelry can be time-consuming, especially if you’re working with wire, as even a short chain can take hours. It’s pretty therapeutic, though, so I can’t complain.
The real appeal of making jewelry is the payoff. So far, I’ve made an extensive collection of pretty, dainty bracelets that fit like a charm, and I did it for way less than it would’ve cost to buy them. For this reason, I’d highly recommend giving jewelry a try if you’re looking for a new hobby.
- Oil painting
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Oil painting is another hobby that requires a significant initial investment, but it’s one of my favorite pastimes, so I’m willing to pay the expense. I took it up in high school, and have been creating custom art ever since.
With that being said, it’s not the most beginner-friendly. There are countless materials required beyond just the paint: canvases, paintbrushes, paint thinner, palettes, palette knives, linseed oil… and those are just the basics. For this reason, oil painting scores low in terms of price.
The process and product are what keep me coming back. I love painting; I find it to be extremely calming and an excellent creative outlet, so being able to both enjoy myself and create art is a lot of fun.
Custom paintings also make excellent gifts, no matter how big or small the canvas, so it’s a great hobby to consider if you love art and personalized gifting.
- Thrifting
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Thrifting is one of my top contenders for a reason. If you love unique clothing, saving money, and shopping sustainably, thrifting is the hobby for you.
In terms of price, thrift stores are pretty unbeatable. A good portion of my go-to wardrobe pieces were only a few dollars, and some thrift stores run sales where certain colored tags are significantly discounted, further lowering prices.
The process is what might be a barrier for some people. Oftentimes, thrift stores are disorganized, unclean, and busy, which can make the experience itself relatively unappealing, depending on the person. I’ve never had an issue with it, as I’m often more focused on my finds than anything else, but it’s certainly not for everyone.
The payoff is the main appeal of thrifting. A good trip to the thrift store can be a serious game-changer for your wardrobe. I got all of my professional attire in one trip to the thrift store for less than $100 combined after stumbling upon a Banana Republic goldmine. Suffice it to say, I’m a big fan of thrifting.
- Sewing
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Oftentimes, clothing just doesn’t fit the way you want it to. The problem could be so slight, but even minor issues can make or break a garment.
Maybe the straps are too long, or the waist isn’t fitting right, or the length is off. Sewing offers a quick fix to all of these problems, and it’s one of my most-used hobbies for sure.
The initial price can be a barrier to entry, because sewing machines aren’t cheap, but hand-sewing is always an option for those just starting. I’d recommend a machine if you can get one, as it’s much faster and significantly easier to use, which brings me to my next point: the process.
The process can be anything from a few minutes to multiple days, depending on the project you’re working on. I usually use my sewing machine for alterations, which are typically quick and easy, but if you’re hoping to sew from scratch, you’ll have to put in a bit more time and effort.
The payoff is my favorite thing about sewing. I’ve saved multiple pieces of clothing over the years with my sewing machine — especially when it comes to adjusting lengths. I even sewed sleeves onto one of my Halloween costumes last-minute one year, after learning that it would be 40 degrees outside.
Sewing opens up a world of possibilities, and, better yet, you get to wear them.
- Reading and writing
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Reading and writing easily take the cake as my two favorite hobbies. A good book can transport you anywhere, at any time, with anyone. It’s hard to imagine anything better than that.
That same sense of possibility is what makes writing equally exciting. The ability to bring entire worlds, ideas, and experiences to life using words alone has always captivated me, so I try to write as often as I can.
The price to read and write is virtually free if you get your books from a library, as opposed to in stores like I do, so it scores highly in the price category.
Reading and writing score highly in terms of process, because, well, that’s most of the appeal! There’s nothing better than curling up with a good book and letting your imagination do the rest.
The payoff is also considerable. Frequent readers are more intelligent, articulate, and empathetic. They also become adept writers, which is a skill that carries value across nearly every field.
I have a lot more hobbies to try, and if this list has proven anything, it’s that I’ll probably enjoy every single one of them. So if you’re looking for your next creative outlet, consider this your sign to try something new.
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