Aren’t you tired of doomscrolling? Like, truly exhausted from spending your free time glued to a screen… just to end up feeling even more drained?
Good news: scrolling is out in 2026, and doing things is in.
This is the year of hobbies. The year of interests. The year of having something to say when someone asks, “So what do you do for fun?”
Because in 2026, all the cool girls have hobbies, and being interesting is officially back.
Here are some fun “cool girl hobbies” to try, whether you want something relaxing, creative, or just a little more main character than staring at your phone.
- Colouring
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Yes, colouring books are back… but for adults. The colouring side of TikTok has become a full-on community, with people showing off their pages, marker collections, and oddly satisfying colouring montages.
Adult colouring is one of those hobbies that’s super chill but still makes you feel productive. It’s perfect for when you want to unwind alone, or even do something cute with friends.
The current obsession? CoCo Wyo colouring books (especially the ones with adorable animals living their best little lives).
Also: crayons are out. Alcohol markers are IN.
Some people go all-out and buy expensive high-end markers, but you can totally start with affordable packs from Amazon and work your way up.Need inspo to start your colouring era?
- Crocheting
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I know, I know, it sounds like a grandma hobby. But honestly? Grandma has never been wrong.
Crocheting has exploded in popularity among younger people recently, and it’s easy to see why. People are making the CUTEST things: sweaters, hats, plushies, tote bags, blankets… basically an entire wardrobe and home decor collection.
It looks intimidating at first, but once you learn a few basic stitches, it becomes weirdly addictive. Start with a beginner YouTube tutorial, then level up as you go.
Bonus: wearing a crochet sweater is 10x cooler when you can say, “I made it.”
Michaels is a great spot to grab beginner supplies, yarn, hooks, and everything you need.Crochet influencer inspo:
- Journalism
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Journaling is having a HUGE moment right now, especially with the rise of junk journals and aesthetic bullet journaling. It’s not just about writing in a notebook anymore; it’s basically a creative outlet + therapy session + art project all in one.
You can:
- Write about your day
- make collages and mood pages
- Create a planner or bullet journal
- sketch, doodle, brain dump
- scrapbook memories and little receipts (yes, even that coffee cup sleeve)
And the best part? There are no rules. Your journal can be as messy or as pretty as you want.
You can grab cheap journals from the dollar store, or go for something fancier from Michaels or Indigo. And if you want to be that girl about it, Michaels has soooo many good pens, markers, and supplies.
Need journal inspo?
- Pilates / Working Out
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Everyone says they’re going to work out for their New Year’s resolution… but what if you made it your new hobby instead?
There are so many workout styles now that actually feel fun:
- pilates
- barre
- HIIT
- group fitness
- dance classes
- strength training
Instead of thinking of exercise as punishment, treat it like a weekly extracurricular. Put on your favourite playlist, go at your own pace, and make it something you genuinely look forward to.
Even better? Bring a friend and make it a social thing.
Find a class vibe you like:
- Reading
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If BookTok got you back into reading… same. Honestly, it’s probably the reason half the population is suddenly obsessed with romance novels and fantasy series again.
Reading is the perfect hobby because it’s relaxing and it gives you something to talk about. Once you find a book you love, you’ll want to recommend it to everyone, like it’s your full-time job.
You can:
- Join a book club
- make a “currently reading” post
- swap books with friends
- Start a little bookshelf rebrand
Also, books never run out (unlike shows). And reading a series is such a vibe because the world-building feels like you’re living in a whole other universe.
Need book recs?
- Cooking
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If you’re a foodie, cooking might be your new personality trait this year.
Cooking is such a useful skill, but it’s also genuinely fun, especially when you’re trying new recipes, perfecting your go-to meals, or making something cute for your friends and family.
TikTok has honestly reinvented cooking with endless easy ideas, healthy meals, and quick hacks that actually make you want to try new things.
It can be one of the pricier hobbies because groceries add up, but it’s so worth it when you’re feeding yourself something you made and feel proud of.
Recipe inspo here:
2026 is the year we stop being glued to our phones and start learning new skills, finding hidden talents, and doing things just because they’re fun.
Whether it’s colouring, crocheting, journalling, working out, reading, or cooking, hobbies are the cutest way to romanticize your downtime without feeling like you always have to be “busy.”
So don’t be afraid to try something new. You might accidentally discover your new favourite thing.
Cool girls do stuff. And this year, we were all cool girls.