We’ve had a long time of forced introversion on us lately. You may have loved it, or you may have hated it. If you’re one of the people who missed the everyday interaction of people, you’ll be happy to see that things are opening up again. There are loads of things you can do to get to know new people, but a shared hobby is a good starting point. It gives you common ground to build off with someone else. Read on to find out our picks for the best hobbies to get into to make new friends.
For lit people
Literary lovers can expand their love of books by joining a book club. The frustration of putting down a really good book is that, unless you’re in a book club, it’s unlikely anyone around you has gone through the same life-shattering experience, and therefore there’s no one to talk to about it. That is, unless you’ve got someone in your life happy enough to just nod and smile.
To take it a step further, you can join a writing group. Sharing ideas and expressing yourself will foster creativity and aid mental health, as will the social aspect of all these hobbies.
For sports-enthusiasts
Any team sport is a good option for someone looking to socialize, but there are other ideas if you’ve never been into football. If running is your thing, you can join a running club, or look into the famously friendly environment of rock climbing. Or embrace the idea that you don’t have to have a drink to dance like no one is watching and join a dance class.
It’s also worth mentioning that all dance classes will need a music source, if you play a musical instrument.
And if you get tired of playing with your new teammates you can play the Dangerous Beauty slot machine in the betting shop.
For the crafty
Any hobby can be social if you are doing it with other people. Knitting, crocheting, painting, pottery, sewing, etc. There’s a club out there for all of them.
And even if there isn’t: start one.
For everyone else
There was once an article that said video games were the perfect hobby for introverts, as, yes, single player games will allow you to go off on your own narrative in your own world without the input of anyone else if you so choose. But with advancements in gaming technology and an explosion in online gaming, users can team up with other players to take down the enemy.
You’d be surprised how much empty space there is in between strategizing for big battles, and if you’re the awkward type you’ll have to fill that silence with something. Before you know it, you’ve got a conversation going. Who knew it was that easy?
The travel bug can look into group travel. There are organized travel tours available to bus or train you to a new area with a bunch of new friends. Travelling in itself can be a social hobby if you’re bold. Sharing hostel rooms, integrating with the locals, working your way through a holiday are all ways to socialize while travelling.