# Help me find a (new?) hobby **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 22, 2015, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200 "2015-09-22T13:08:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![brovolone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e4f/32.png) [@brovolone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brovolone)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/21 "2015-09-22T23:33:09Z")
Volunteering at a nursing home-- you can play instruments with the residents there. Listen to their stories while pushing them around in a wheelchair outdoors or play games with them. You can help pass out meal trays and things like that which also keep you active. Best of all, everyone has a story to them-- so it’s kind of like reading a book. If you have a pet dog, a lot of nursing homes will let you bring the dog in to visit with the residents… which is cool because then your dog gets to be a little more active and social too. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2015, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/22 "2015-09-22T23:54:04Z")
I don’t know the prices but you can get weighted keyboards that mimic a piano. If you’re fighting pounds then consider cooking and nutrition as a hobby. You’ll get better meals with fewer calories. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/23 "2015-09-23T14:24:46Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > …ahem… Jazz is nice too from time to time, and is amazing to play on guitar 🆒 It is indeed and I’ve played my share of jazz standards over the years. I guess what it boils down to is: I’m not really interested in playing guitar anymore. Anyway, thanks for your help. With your suggestions and a bit of reflection on my part this is the short list: Piano - Few have suggested it but I’m really excited about it. Archery - The more I think about it, and read about it from you, the more I’m interested. Photography - That’s a good one. I’d never have considered it but several of you have mentioned it and I can see the appeal. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/24 "2015-09-23T14:28:12Z")
How about competitive [curling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curling)? ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/25 "2015-09-23T16:13:03Z")
Historical Reenacting. I’m in an American War of Independence (AWI/Revolutionary War) group in Southeast New Hampshire. [www.kingsrangers.org](http://www.kingsrangers.org) ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/26 "2015-09-23T18:45:30Z")
I’ve three suggestions for the OP: [ol][li][Gateball](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateball)[/li][li]Ground Golf (do a web search for 그라운드골프 (that’s the Korean for it) and check the videos in the results).[/li][\*][Park Golf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Park_golf)[/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/27 "2015-09-23T19:18:58Z")
I would like to suggest you look into martial arts. It’s exercise, it will improve your balance and coordination, it’s incredibly fun, and you are learning some self defense skills as well. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/28 "2015-09-23T21:49:54Z")
I bought my recurve from Lancaster Archery, and they were very helpful. If you have an archery lane near you they can help immensely or a fish and game club if you want to get into 3d archery which is a hoot as well. I would recommend getting (or building) a take down recurve or a basic long bow for primitive shooting first as it allows you to develop proper technique and then if you are still into it, look at a good compound bow. Once you get into the compounds, there are infinite gadgets to follow. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/29 "2015-09-23T22:11:21Z")
☹ I . . . I thought _we_ were your hobby… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/30 "2015-09-23T23:33:40Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > I bought my recurve from Lancaster Archery, and they were very helpful. If you have an archery lane near you they can help immensely or a fish and game club if you want to get into 3d archery which is a hoot as well. > > I would recommend getting (or building) a take down recurve or a basic long bow for primitive shooting first as it allows you to develop proper technique and then if you are still into it, look at a good compound bow. Once you get into the compounds, there are infinite gadgets to follow. Most trad shooters consider compounds as a starting point because they have training wheels, trad archery is considered the more elite of archery. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/31 "2015-09-24T00:57:11Z")
You seem more like a doer or player than a maker, but maybe you haven’t considered making things yet. Would you be interested in making musical instruments? Or even making telescopes? There are kits you can get to give these things a try. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/32 "2015-09-24T08:00:30Z")
I’m afraid I don’t have the skills. I suck at building and repairing things :(. > [@Dragwyr](#): > > I would like to suggest you look into martial arts. > > It’s exercise, it will improve your balance and coordination, it’s incredibly fun, and you are learning some self defense skills as well. Funny, I didn’t mention it but I stumbled on one of my eldest daughter’s classmates recently and he said he had started aikido. Would that be a good idea instead of the more usual karate and/or judo? > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > ☹ > > I . . . I thought _we_ were your hobby… > > ☹ But you are, dear. You are. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/33 "2015-09-24T08:57:32Z")
By the way, I was wondering: would it be really bad to start the piano without a teacher ? I know that for the cello it’s a big no-no because of intonation issues, which you won’t get with a piano, and because of posture problems which can lead to injury. Is it the same with the piano ? I can read piano sheet music, certainly at beginner level so it’s tempting to give it a try on my own. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/34 "2015-09-24T09:35:39Z")
Another vote for cycling - it’s great for fitness (and for the environment if you commute) and is actually really social if that’s your thing (can be a solo sport too if you’d rather be left alone). I’ve just turned 40 and got back into cycling last year after a little time off having kids and it’s very doable, I regularly see people in their 60s and 70s out riding too. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/35 "2015-09-24T11:46:40Z")
> [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](#): > > By the way, I was wondering: would it be really bad to start the piano without a teacher ? > > I know that for the cello it’s a big no-no because of intonation issues, which you won’t get with a piano, and because of posture problems which can lead to injury. Is it the same with the piano ? > > I can read piano sheet music, certainly at beginner level so it’s tempting to give it a try on my own. My teenaged son started playing guitar, using my coaching. We got a small piano from my wife’s mom when she sold her house, and he started playing that. He is not playing classical - just banging out chords like Jack White does when he plays piano, but boy does he get a lot of joy out of it. Guitar: okay, you are a classical guy; if you aren’t feelin’ it, I am not going to try to convince. I have recently transitioned from flatpick to fingerstyle on a steel string, and am playing blues, jazz, rock and other styles on steel string and find it immersive in wonderful ways. I also built a couple of solidbody electric guitars - really fun. Again, not in your sweet spot since they aren’t for classical, but they were fun to do. ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/36 "2015-09-24T12:43:51Z")
> [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](#): > > By the way, I was wondering: would it be really bad to start the piano without a teacher ? If you want to eventually play these guys – > [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](#): > > It pales in comprison with the piano repertoire ( **Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Schubert, Schumann, Tchaïkovsky, Liszt, Bartok, Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, Ligeti** to name but a few and you could arguably add **Bach** ) – you need a teacher. So if you start with a teacher, you will only be doing your future self a favor, as you won’t have to unlearn bad habits you developed when teaching yourself. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/37 "2015-09-24T12:48:46Z")
_Hey, why don’t you consider…_ Travel ? Spend a few days in the adjacent state. When my mom and dad retired they spent a year on the road going to the National Parks, and collected the pins and patches from each. If your budget permits, go visit a country you have never been to. Come stay with the \*\*DrumBum’s \*\*and drink G&T’s on the veranda. The band sets up Fridays around 18h00 and plays until 01h00 or so. We have extra rooms but expect the cats to intrude during the night. You will however need to get a few vaccinations prior arriving… ---
**Author:** ![Gothic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Gothic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gothic)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/38 "2015-09-24T13:30:06Z")
Any public golf courses near you? ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/39 "2015-09-24T13:47:53Z")
Take a page from that holistic detective. Start following someone. Either walk out the door and follow the first person you see or go to a crowded place, pick a random time like 1:37 pm to look around and find the person that is most like you to follow. Unless you hate yourself, then follow the person that is the least like yourself. That person will lead you to your hobby. And if it doesn’t your new hobby would be following people. Take lots of pictures and make a blog out of it. It could also be a good hands on way to learn martial arts skills. No, I don’t expect this to be helpful advice or something a sane person would do but I expect it would be a bit interesting if someone did try it. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200/40 "2015-09-24T14:21:09Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Guitar: okay, you are a classical guy; if you aren’t feelin’ it, I am not going to try to convince. I have recently transitioned \*\*from flatpick to fingerstyle on a steel string, \*\*and am playing blues, jazz, rock and other styles on steel string and find it immersive in wonderful ways. Oh yes, I couldn’t agree more. I transitioned about 10 years ago. It felt terrible for a while because I had to relearn a lot of things, especially as far as coordination was concerned but it has sure opened up playing perspectives that I didn’t have before so it was absolutely worth it. I never use a pick now. > [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > If you want to eventually play these guys – > > – you need a teacher. So if you start with a teacher, you will only be doing your future self a favor, as you won’t have to unlearn bad habits you developed when teaching yourself. Excellent point. Not sure I’ll ever reach a level where I can consider playing their music but that’s some good advice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-find-a-new-hobby/732200.md?page=3)