Everyone knows that hobbies are important. However, it can be quite difficult to figure out what hobbies might interest you and what activities you could engage in. Are you the type of person who loves exploring new places? Do you enjoy spending time with family and friends? Or maybe getting out there on your own is more your thing. Whatever your interests may be, there’s a good chance that there’s at least one activity that you haven’t tried out yet. END OF AN ERA – 40-something as such, we believe that now is the perfect time to start exploring hobbies and interests that are a little bit more age-appropriate than in previous years. So, if you are an aging man who has been wondering what to do with yourself as well as how to stay active as an older adult, then read on for some great new ideas…
Try learning a new language
Do you want to learn a new language? If so, then now is a perfect time. Some people are finding that they have more energy as they get older and can better focus on learning a new language. To make this happen, try taking classes or learning online. If you already know one of the foreign languages, another option would be to dedicate your time to reading books in the language you want to improve. This will help you build up your vocabulary and make it easier for you to start speaking the language fluently.
You could also try an app to learn a foreign language called Duolingo (referral link).
At the time of writing this article there are 39 courses offered:
Spanish (31.6M learners),
French (19.0M learners),
Chinese (6.02M learners)
Norwegian (Bokmål) (1.18M learners)
Scottish Gaelic (450K learners)
Hungarian (426K learners) BETA
Haitian Creole (417K learners) BETA
Zulu (156K learners)
Take up martial arts
Mixed martial arts is a popular activity for people of all ages. It can be quite hard to get started in this sport, which is why it’s a good idea to take a class with an instructor first before jumping right into the deep end. In addition to learning self-defense, you can also work on your fitness and discipline as well as build some great muscle strength.
Have you ever thought about learning Muy Thai? And how about actually going to Thailand and learning this martial art directly from an experienced Muy Thai fighter? Doesn’t that sound exciting? Guess what? You can actually do it, and it is not so expensive (USD 10 -25 per session). You could find some clubs in Chiang Mai, near Bangkok, or in Phuket (the largest island in Thailand).
Related links:
Paint or draw
If you enjoy art, consider taking up painting or drawing. This is a hobby that you can take up without having to spend a lot of money on supplies and equipment. You don’t need to be an artist or an expert to have fun with this type of crafting. In fact, many people who are just starting out find it easier than they think. There are also many great tutorials online that will walk you through the basics of what to do if you’re interested in learning how to paint or draw more effectively. With this activity, it’s important to remember that it’s all about practice. Our bodies forget how to do things after a certain age, so keep that in mind when practicing new crafts. If your body starts feeling too old for new hobbies, then try yoga or running instead; these activities require more balance, coordination, and flexibility than painting does, which makes them a better choice for older adults.
Check out this YouTube video: How to draw #1:
Related links:
Join a club or group sports team
One of the best ways to keep your mind and body active is to join a club or group sports team. Or just “weekend walking buddies”. Not only will joining one of these groups help you stay active, but it can also give you a chance to meet new people. There are all sorts of different sports and activities that clubs or teams offer. You can be a member of a running club or join a softball team in order to find your next hobby. If you enjoy playing team sports, then consider playing basketball at your local YMCA or gym. You might also want to check out rec leagues for pickup games, which often take place on weekends at local gyms and outdoor courts throughout the city.
Keep enjoying music and going to gigs
If you enjoy playing music and going to gigs, then why not combine these two interests? It’s possible to find new bands or concerts that appeal to your tastes. You might also want to check out a music festival near you. These events are typically free with some ticketed performances that often come with free drinks, food, and other perks. Lastly, if you love taking photographs, why not start up a photography business of your own? You could take portraits of people in your area or even create an original photography shoot like an art gallery exhibit or photo book.
Related links:
Here is a short article from Forbes on “How to start your photography business”
Here, YouTube series on “How to start a photography business in 2022”
Try playing board games or tabletop role-playing games
Board games are a great way to get friends and family together for some friendly competition. From Monopoly to Risk, board games are easy to learn and will keep you entertained for hours on end. Just make sure you remember the rules and that your guests do too! If you’re more into enjoying a more casual game of Monopoly or Risk, then tabletop role-playing games might be right up your alley. Tabletop role-playing games are very simple to learn, usually take no time at all to set up, and provide players with an immersive experience where they can create their own character, explore a new world, kill monsters and fight dragons!
Related (games for mobile phone):
Clash Of Clans (strategical game – no violence, can restrict the time of playing to a few minutes a day)
Clash Of Clans in Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/clash-of-clans/id529479190
Clash Of Clans in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.supercell.clashofclans&hl=en&gl=US
Call Of Duty – COD (violence and time consuming, you can easily spend 15 min on one game without noticing the time passing)
COD in Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/call-of-duty-mobile/id1287282214
COD in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.activision.callofduty.shooter&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1
All time best, especially for relaxing and keeping your mind out of thinking about troubles – Tetris:
Tetris in Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tetris/id1491074310
Tetris in Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.n3twork.tetris&hl=en&gl=US
Don’t run out of ideas – keep exploring!
The key to successful hobbies is keeping an open mind. You can do anything from going for a walk in the park to playing a game of chess. But remember, having fun and staying healthy are the most important goals. So don’t be afraid to try something new. We know that figuring out what you want to do can be tricky, but it is worth the effort! – List your interests. Perhaps there was something you really enjoyed doing in your childhood. A great way to find new hobbies is just by brainstorming with yourself on what you like or enjoy doing. This will help you narrow down which activities might interest you and give you a general idea of what type of hobby would be best for you. Tour places in your area If exploring new places sounds like something that might be interesting, then take a drive and explore different parks or neighborhoods near your home. These types of explorations are fun for everyone and help make memories for later on down the road. Get involved in a local sports team. Joining a local sports team is another great way to get active as well as meet new people who share similar interests as you. It’s also an opportunity to get involved in community events, so it’s more than just about getting into shape.-
Try getting outside and exercising
In case you haven’t noticed, your body is changing! You probably can’t do the things you used to in your 30s. I can’t hike in the mountains as before. I started to have, not pleasurable knee aches. This is when I noticed I need to start taking care of my body and take things easier than before.
One of the best things I started, was going out for a walk. By keeping active, you can reap many benefits, such as increased immunity and better sleep quality. It also helps tremendously with our psyche. Highly recommended if you’re noticing any anxiety issues (I know that from experience).
So make sure that you are doing the basic exercises to keep up with the challenges life throws at us. And remember – it doesn’t hurt to get outside and enjoy the fresh air!
A few other hobby ideas:
- Learn to shoot
- Learn to code – it’s never too late, and can really motivating (you start with https://www.freecodecamp.org/; it’s really free and motivating; you could also check https://www.codecademy.com/ – start with a free option before spending $$$ on PRO; also they do offer quite often 50% off, so better wait for a deal; these two places are perfect to start with, do waste your time looking for other sources.
- Birdwatching
- Rock climbing
- Get into robotics (it may be really demanding)
- Fishing & Camping
- Gardening (change the landscape in your garden or on the balcony – your wife will enjoy it; hydroponic gardening at home is another interesting thing to do; growing your own food and being independent when the next “covid” hits)
- Geocaching (https://www.geocaching.com/play) – enjoy the outdoors with your kids or alone; all around the world
- Woodworking – can really beneficial
- Pottery – I’d really like to try this one
- Amateur Radio
- Drone Photography/Videography
- And the final point for new hobbies in our age: Home Brewing and Distilling
Conclusion
For the 40-year-old man, there are still so many things to explore. It’s not the end of life. We are nearly halfway through though. Don’t waste your time watching TV all evening.
Sit down with a piece of paper (or an app on your mobile), and try to get out some ideas about a hobby. Give yourself a chance to try something new! At our age, we are still young at heart and so we should take advantage of this time in our lives and try to do something new. Don’t sit and wait until the end of your life – you will regret it. The best time to start something new is…now, as you may guess.