Skills in Art and Hobbies 1

Show or explain to the satisfaction of the Scout Master your ability in one of the following. Singing, Playing a musical Instrument, Dancing, Acting, Drawing, Painting, Sculpturing or any other hobby. You may do so by even showing certificates received by you, in the selected field.

Find a new hobby – what do you like?

First things first – it’s maybe not the best idea to throw a dart at a random list of hobbies to choose one. Unless, of course, darts is your new hobby. Instead, try thinking about the kinds of things you like to do.

Are you the creative type or do you prefer being active? Do you want escapism or tangible gains? Narrowing down your wants may make it easier to choose an activity that’s suited to you.

Is there something you used to enjoy as a child? Maybe you had a particular aptitude for something when you were younger but didn’t have the time to keep it up. Maybe it’s worth dipping back in and seeing if you still enjoy it as an adult?

Another point worth considering is whether or not you want your new hobby to be similar to your existing ones. It can be nice to find something that complements your existing skills, but it’s often refreshing to have a change of pace.

What’s your goal for your new hobby?

Although your hobby is probably a way to keep you engaged and happy, it’s likely that you have other goals in mind. Jigsaw-puzzling, for example, is a less physically intense pastime than weightlifting.

1. Reading

As the great Joseph Addison once said, ‘reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.’ Reading can be the ultimate form of escapism, helping you discover new worlds, learn about different cultures, and explore new ideas. If you’re looking for somewhere to get started, here’s a list of some classic novels to consider.

2. Writing

You may have heard the theory circulating that Shakespeare wrote King Lear during quarantine in the plague years. So, no better time to start penning your ideas down, right? If you need a bit of a primer, you can check out our courses on writing fiction and how to make a poem.

3. Mindfulness and meditation

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and paying attention to the current moment. It’s about noticing your thoughts and feelings without judgement, often done through meditation. The two practices can be hugely beneficial, improving both your physical and mental health.

4. Gardening

Whether you want to plant a shrub, sow some indoor seeds, or tackle your weeds, taking care of your garden can be rewarding and beneficial. As well as a sense of satisfaction of a job well done, it can also reduce stress and lower your blood pressure.

5. Scrapbooking

If you’ve been looking for a creative way of displaying your memorable photos, a scrapbook could be just the thing for you. As well as all of your favourite snaps, you can use all kinds of decorations and memorabilia to give your creation some flair. It’s a relaxing hobby that can help you appreciate all the good you have in your life.

6. Listening to music

Of course, you probably already listen to music on a regular basis. However, there’s never a wrong time to start discovering new bands and artists that you like. As far as finding a new hobby goes, this is a fairly limitless one. Try jumping into an entirely new genre, ask your friends for recommendations, or using a tool like Gnoosic to find new music.

7. Colouring

Colouring is a hobby that’s suitable for people of all ages. It’s a relaxing and creative pastime that can give you focus and let you express yourself. Plus, it’s simple to get started with. All you need are colouring pencils and some templates, many of which you can find for free.

8. Cooking

Cooking can be a great way to relax. From trying new recipes to cooking up something entirely unique, you’ve got the freedom to experiment. There are learning opportunities too. Whether it’s learning about nutrition, mastering the basics of a healthy diet, or finding out how super superfoods are, the possibilities are plentiful.

9. Journaling

For those seeking a more introspective hobby, journaling can be incredibly therapeutic. It helps you organise your thoughts, relieve feelings of anxiety, practice gratitude, and let you reflect on your life. It’s also a project that you can start with ease – all you need is either a pen and notebook or a word processor. Don’t overthink it, just start writing and see where it takes you.

10. Cycling

Cycling can be a great alternative. Aside from a bike and helmet, there’s not much you need to get started with cycling. However, as a new hobby, there are plenty of different areas of interest you might want to get into. Will you choose road cycling or are you more of a mountain biker?

One of our Scout Instructors was a former Cyclist who went around Sri Lanka with his custom made bike. Check his blog on http://web.archive.org/web/20200222140857/http://cyclingpissa.com/

11. Play an instrument

Whether you can already play an instrument or not, there’s never a bad time to learn a new one. There are so many possibilities here; we could dedicate an entire post to just listing them out. You’ll find all kinds of resources for whichever instrument you choose, including hours of video tutorials.

12. Learn a language

Learning a new language brings many benefits and can be extremely rewarding. Plus, with all types of language courses available, you can choose one that sparks your interest. You can match your chosen language to your favourite food or travel destination and practice on your next holiday. Duolingo is the best place to start off.

13. Blogging

If you enjoy writing and sharing your interests and opinions, blogging could well be the hobby for you. It gives you a platform to organise your thoughts, express your feelings, and connect with people across the world. It’s also a highly useful digital skill to master. It’s simple to get started, and there are plenty of blogging platforms available.

14. Acting

You may not immediately think of acting as the most obvious new hobby, but it’s worth considering. If you’re self conscious to being with, there are plenty of acting exercises you can do from home to boost your acting abilities, and many books on acting you can get started with.

15. Graphic design

On the theme of creating visually appealing content, graphic design is a skill that can easily be learned from home. You can start by looking at some content creators you admire and thinking about the skills and techniques they use.

16. Painting

If you’ve got some paintbrushes and paints knocking around, you can easily jump into painting as your new hobby. YouTube recently added 12 seasons of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross. So, you can listen to his dulcet tones as you begin to master your new craft.

17. Photography

Photography is a pastime that’s become increasingly easy to get into. After all, most of us carry a camera around with us just about everywhere we go. Although your smartphone may not be the connoisseur’s choice of equipment, it’s more than sufficient for learning some of the basics of photography with. You can take an array of photos of the family pet, for example.

18. Sculpting

This is a hobby that will probably require you to order a few bits in, but it can definitely be just as rewarding as any of the hobbies on our list. It’s also a skill that you can dive into and get creative with. For the future Michelangelos among us, this is definitely one worth considering. You can sculpt using a variety of materials – everything from clay to marble, depending on your confidence levels, space, and budget.

Try it out

You don’t have to make your final decision about your new hobby just yet. You can spend some time trying a few different options to see which one is right for you.