33 Best Hobbies For Introverts And People Who Like To Be Alone

You know whatintroverts do for fun(because you are one), and you know your brain needs fun in order to function as it should.

You also know you need to conserve energy, so hobbies for loners are your best bet for finding a creative way to get your head back in the game.

Welcome to33 of the best hobbies for introverts! Read on to find a new favorite.

What Activities Do Introverts Enjoy?

Think of the hobbies introverts tend to enjoy, and they probably fall into one of these categories:

• Creating by themselves (writing, knitting or crocheting, drawing, etc.)
• Enjoying solitary restorative movement (yoga, tai chi, dance, walking, etc.)
• Collecting a specific and meaningful category of things (art, seashells, dolls, etc.)
• Relaxing with entertainment (TV, books, documentaries, podcasts, music, etc.)
• Spending time in nature (nature walks,camping, bicycling, hiking, etc.)

For anintrovert, hobbies are about rest and rekindling a fire that’s burning low. And that requires sometime alone. Read on to learn more about specific hobbies and how to get started with them.

33 Hobbies for Introverts and People Who Like to Be Alone

仔细观察这个列表的爱好introvertsand imagine yourself doing each of these things. Think, too, of what you’d most like to create for yourself or someone else.

Some of these could actually qualify as social hobbies for introverts since the end result is something you can share with others.

And if two or more introverts enjoy the same hobby, they can (remotely) keep each other posted on their progress with each new project.

1. Writing

Cost to get started:Free (using Google Docs) or the cost of notebooks and pens or other writing software (Microsoft Word, Scrivener, etc.)

Supplies needed:Notebooks, journal, pens or pencils, writing software and the devices on which to use them

Time commitment:From a few minutes a day to as long as you like, with regular breaks

Interaction with others:None required

Writingis a good way for an introvert to get their thoughts out. Some things are harder to express through spoken words.

Don’t underestimate the importance of a good story, journal entry, or article.

2. Drawing

Cost to get started:From $0 to hundreds in quality paper, drawing pencils, and instruction

Supplies needed:Drawing paper, drawing pencils (charcoals), color pencils.

Time commitment:30 minutes or more a day to as long as you like

Interaction with others:None, unless you want company

Drawingis a great grounding skill when it feels like the world is spinning around you. It can berelaxing, entertaining, and very rewarding.

No one is perfect when they first start out, but drawing isn’t just about the final result. Anyone can enjoy it.

3. Learning Languages

Cost to get started:From $0 to as much as you’re willing to spend on language resources

Supplies needed:A language app; dictionary and other language guides; other tools as needed (flashcards, books written in the chosen language, music in the chosen language…)

Time commitment:As little as a few minutes a day to as long as you like

Interaction with others:Solitary with an app or recorded language tools; less solitary with a class

Learning a new language is not only a great hobby but a very useful life skill. While it may be frustrating at times, there are many different ways to learn.

Many people will post helpful videos on YouTube, and others have free websites for learning.

There are also many language-learning apps that will cost you little to nothing.

4. Making Friendship Bracelets

Cost to get started:Cost of embroidery floss or crochet thread

Supplies needed:Embroidery floss or crochet thread in chosen colors

Time commitment:None, though it can take upwards of 30 minutes to create one

Interaction with others:None required

Being an introvertdoesn’t mean not having friends. In fact, introverts often like to surprise theirclosest friendswith gifts or signs of affection.

You can find dozens of braceletpatterns online for free. Making friendship bracelets is very time-consuming, but the result is a beautiful, vibrantly colored gift.

5. Knitting or Crocheting

Cost to get started:Under $50 for yarn and knitting needles or crochet hooks, though large projects requiring many skeins of yarn may cost more

Supplies needed:Yarn or crochet thread, knitting needles or crochet hooks or knitting loom, finishing needle, placeholding clips, yarn bag for crafting on-the-go

Time commitment:None required, though it can take an hour or more for some projects and days for larger ones

Interaction with others:None required

Pick up knitting or crocheting, and you can enjoy making hats, scarves, blankets, etc. for yourself or for loved ones.

You can even open an Esty store and sell some of your finished pieces — if only to pay for new yarn and crafting supplies.

6. Sewing

Cost to get started:Under $10 for needles and thread for DIY repair or $100s for a good sewing machine and fabric for sewing projects

Supplies needed:Needles, thread,sewing machinewith extra needles, fabric, scissors, measuring tools, lamp with eye-friendly light, adjustable dressform (for garments)

Time commitment:A few minutes a day for small tasks, up to hours for large projects

Interaction with others:None required unless you’re tailoring people’s clothes and need them to show up for measurements and fittings

If you’ve ever looked at someone’s finished sewing project and thought, “Wow! I wish I could do that,” you can make a start just by learning some simple sewing projects — like a small purse or a keychain holder for your lip balm.

7. Baking

Cost to get started:Under $10 for basic baking supplies (flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs…) to $100s for high-quality baking tools (stand mixer, utensils, baking pans…)

Supplies needed:混合碗,烤盘,餐具,用具/ mixing tools, rolling pin, cutting board, cake decorating kit, ingredients, mixer (stand or hand-held).

Time commitment:From under 30 minutes for quick projects to hours for detailed cakes, elaborate pastries, etc.

Interaction with others:None required

If you love baked goods (or you know someone who does), learn how to bake bread, cakes, and other goodies with a few basic baking tools and supplies. YouTube has tutorials on baking and cake decorating, so you can learn helpful tips from experienced bakers.

8. Doing Puzzles

Cost to get started:Around $10 and up, depending on complexity and where you buy them

Supplies needed:Puzzles, puzzle-friendly accessories: storage roll mat, puzzle board

Time commitment:You decide.

Interaction with others:None, unless you want company

If you love crossword puzzles or Sudoku, you can either download an app or buy someprinted puzzle booksto work on. If you’re more into jigsaw puzzles, you narrow down the (overwhelming) options by choosing a particular theme for each week or month.

9. Yoga

Cost to get started:From $0 (with YouTube videos or free apps) to around $20-30 for a yoga mat, plus whatever you spend on yoga classes and yoga-specific clothing

Supplies needed:Yoga mat, yoga classes or training, yoga app/s, yoga-friendly clothes

Time commitment:From 10 minutes to 1-1.5 hours, depending on whether you’re doing a few basic moves on your own to start the day (or end it) or you’re attending a class

Interaction with others:None when you’re doing this alone with an app; quite a bit more when you’re in a class with other yoga learners

If you need more calm in your life right now, yoga gives you a variety of options to choose from — Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Yoga Nidra, Bikram (hot) yoga, Kundalini, etc — depending on what you need from it most right now.

10. Reading

Cost to get started:Free with a library card

Supplies needed:Books to read

Time commitment:As much or as little time as you have or want to spend reading

Interaction with others:None required unless you’ve joined a book club

You might already have a stack ofbookswaiting for you on a shelf or on the Cloud, but if you don’t, do some browsing and find some new reads. Then schedule some reading time for each day. Or if you’d rather listen to someone else read, choose audiobooks.

11. Going on a Nature Walk

Cost to get started:Free

Supplies needed:None (unless you need new walking shoes)

Time commitment:None required. Make it as long or short as fits your life.

Interaction with others:None, unless you want company

Even when you’re social distancing (or physical distancing), you can take nature walks to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine (if there is any), and scenery. Get out there and find places that inspire you for mindful movement and quiet reflection.

12. Pottery

Cost to get started:Stoneware clay costs around$26.15for 50 lbs. The cost of renting kiln space will depend on availability in your area.

Supplies needed:Clay (stoneware, earthenware, etc.), canvas (work surface, so clay won’t stick), glaze, pottery wheel (depending on what you’re making), and rented kiln space

Time commitment:Allot at least an hour each time; it’s messy work, and it can take time to turn a lump of clay into the shape you want.

Interaction with others:None required.

What would you make for yourself (or someone else) if you knew how to work with clay — a large fruit bowl, a tall vase, a set of mugs?

You can always start with something simple like a tray for your keys and loose change or a small candy dish.

13. Watching Movies/TV shows

Cost to get started:None but whatever you spend for programming (Netflix, Roku, etc.)

Supplies needed:A television or computer, TV and movie streaming services/apps

Time commitment:The length of whatever movies or shows you choose to watch

Interaction with others:None, unless you want company

Maybe this doesn’t sound like a hobby, but watching movies or TV shows can strengthen your connection withfamilyand friends with similar tastes — as well as fellow fandom members you meet and follow online (I recommend Tumblr for this).

14. Online Games

Cost to get started:The cost of said games (some are free).

Supplies needed:A computer or tablet, game apps or gaming website

Time commitment:As long as a game lasts (varies).

Interaction with others:None required

Any internet search for “online games” will take you tosites full of gamesyou might enjoy playing duringyour time alone. Narrow your search with words like “mystery,” “fantasy,” or “solitaire” if you’re looking for games of a particular type or genre.

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15. Painting

Cost to get started:$20+ for a canvas and an inexpensive set of acrylic paints and brushes

Supplies needed:Paints (acrylics, oils, or watercolor), brushes, canvas or other painting surface (rocks, tiles, etc.)

Time commitment:Budget 30 minutes to an hour or more for a painting project (depending on size and complexity)

Interaction with others:None required

Painting tools and supplies are easy to get online, and YouTube is full of painting tutorials for when you’re staring at that fresh, white canvas and wondering how to begin. You can alsopaint rocksand tiles for use as gifts or decorations.

16. Biking

Cost to get started:$100 and up for a bicycle and around $20+ for a helmet

Supplies needed:Bicycle, bicycle helmet, snug-fitting clothes (jersey and padded bib shorts or bike shorts), athletic shoes or road bike shoes, water bottle

Time commitment:You decide.

Interaction with others:None, unless you want company

If you’ve got a bicycle and somewhere to ride it, biking is not only a great way to get some fresh air and exercise; it also gives you another way to get from one place to another. Save gas and cycle to the nearest store. Or go for a ride on a nearby bike trail.

17. Gardening

Cost to get started:The cost of potting soil and quality seeds or seedlings, pots and tools

Supplies needed:Pots, potting soil, seeds or seedlings, gardening tools (trowel, etc.), gardening gloves, knee rest, watering can or hose for irrigation

Time commitment:30 minutes+ daily to plant, cultivate, feed and water, and remove weeds

Interaction with others:None required

Even if all you have room for are a few containers, choose your plants from a local nursery or grow your own from seeds. Learn what you can from experienced gardeners via their books or YouTube channels and enjoy growing and harvesting food and flowers..

18. Watching Documentaries

Cost to get started:Free on YouTube; other streaming/programming services may cost.

Supplies needed:A television or computer, streaming app or digital receiver

Time commitment:You decide.

Interaction with others:None, unless you want company

Find alist of documentariesworth checking out and make watching them a regular daily or weekly thing. You can even choose a theme for each week or month and choose your documentaries accordingly. Or just go with whatever appeals to you most on a given day.

19. Coloring

Cost to get started:$5 and up for an adult coloring book, plus $10+ for a set of dual-tipped color markers (brush tip and fine tip)

Supplies needed:Adult coloring book/s, color markers (ideally with dual tips: brush and fine)

Time commitment:You decide.

Interaction with others:除非你想要的公司

Buy yourself someadult coloring booksand a set of color pencils or fine-tipped markers and get started on a soothing hobby that helps you get into a meditative state.

You can even laminate your favorite finished pages to create placemats or decorative bookmarks.

20. Origami

Cost to get started:$7 and up for origami paper (instructional videos on YouTube are free)

Supplies needed:Origami paper (which comes in a variety of colors and/or patterns)

Time commitment:A few minutes or as long as you like

Interaction with others:None required

Remember that stack of patterned scrapbooking paper you never used — or that someone gave you thinking, “Well, now, she’ll finally make use of those albums I gave her.” (Nervous laugh).Origamiis an excellent use for that — and YouTube is a great place to learn it.

21. Calligraphy

Cost to get started:$7 and up for modern calligraphy brush pens or$25+for a fountain pen set with nibs, ink, etc.; $10+ for calligraphy paper

Supplies needed:modern calligraphy brush pens or a fountain pen set, calligraphy paper (140 gsm), instruction booklet or video

Time commitment:30 minutes or more (as needed) for practice or specific projects

Interaction with others:None required

Learn calligraphy, and you can create beautiful gifts and wall art with yourfavorite quotes, poetry, or song lyrics. Usehigh-quality paperto prevent bleed-through, and use your new skill to write more heartfelt notes to the people you care about.

22. Learning a Musical Instrument

Cost to get started:Depends on the instrument, but used instruments cost less than new.

Supplies needed:Your instrument, carrying case, cleaning/maintenance kit

Time commitment:30 minutes or more daily for practice

Interaction with others:None required

Take up an affordable instrument like the tin whistle or invest in the instrument you’ve always wanted to play and learn from a local teacher or from online videos. Make time every day for practice and work on one tune at a time until you master it.

23.学习电脑编程

Cost to get started:Free text/code editor (Atom.io, etc.) and free instructional videos on YouTube; $20+ for Udemy videos (on sale), free GitHub membership

Supplies needed:Code editor or IDE (Integrated Development Editor), a computer (desktop or laptop), instructional booklet or videos/video courses

Time commitment:30 minutes or more daily to learn new concepts and practice

Interaction with others:None required

If you’ve always wanted to develop a new app or write code for a website with your own design ideas, learn computer programming. Learn from online videos and courses to build and sharpen your coding skills for frontend, backend, or full stack web development.

24. Whittling

Cost to get started:$20+ for awhittling knifeorcarving kit, $18+ for a sharpener/strop kit.

Supplies needed:whittling knife, sharpener/strop kit, wood (soft woods like pine or balsa are best), gloves or a thumb guard

Time commitment:30 minutes or more daily to practice

Interaction with others:除非你想要的公司

If you’d rather work with wood, get yourself awhittling knifeand start by turning random twigs or small blocks of wood into figures or kitchen utensils (a new wooden spoon for your favorite baker, perhaps — or a carved wooden pendant for a friend).

25. Listening to Podcasts

Cost to get started:Free

Supplies needed:podcast apps (Stitcher, iTunes, etc.) and computer, tablet or phone

Time commitment:30 minutes or more per podcast

Interaction with others:None required

With all the podcasts available now (and the number keeps growing), you’re bound to find some that interest you. If you find it easier tolisten to audiobooks比sit down andread a book, a whole world of learning and inspiration awaits.

26. Singing

Cost to get started:Free

Supplies needed:None

Time commitment:You decide.

Interaction with others:None required

If you love singing but want to improve your singing voice, you’ll find plenty ofinspiration and ideasonline from talented and experienced singers who’ve been where you are now.

Learn from them and practice every day to hone your vocal skills and learn new songs.

27. Photography

Cost to get started:$100 and up for adigital camera, $0 and up for photo editing software

Supplies needed:digital camera, photo editing software — likePhotoScape(free) or AdobeCreative Cloud’s Photography or Photoshop

Time commitment:30 minutes+ (practice) or whenever you find yourself in a place or situation that calls for a camera

Interaction with others:None required unless you’re photographing people

Photography as a hobby doesn’t require you to besocial, though it does give you plenty to share online with fellow photography enthusiasts — as well as people you care about who love to see what you’re up to.

Social Hobbies for Introverts.

Being an introvert doesn’t make you antisocial, even when your energy levels are low. Sometimes, hobbies that involve other people can be more appealing than going solo. So, this post would be incomplete without a selection of introvert-friendly social hobbies.

28. Playing Chess

Cost to get started:$13 and up for a chess board

Supplies needed:Chess board

Time commitment:Budget at least an hour for a game, though it can either take far less or far more time than that.

Interaction with others:One other person

Chess is a game of strategy that is most enjoyable with two players — as opposed to one player versus an app or online game.

你可能需要几场比赛让所有的rules down, but once you know them, you and your opponent can enjoy hours of quiet, thoughtful strategizing.

29. Volunteering at an Animal Shelter

Cost to get started:Free

Supplies needed:None (shelters typically have leashes for you to use)

Time commitment:Depends on the shelter and what you’ll be doing for the animals assigned to you.

Interaction with others:Some interaction with shelter staff, plus interaction with the animal/s you spend time with.

If you want to volunteer but prefer the company of animals, this is the perfect hobby. Depending on the policies at your nearest shelter, you could spend time every week walking dogs or helping with other animals.

While you’ll probably still have some interaction with shelter staff, you’ll get to enjoy socializing with a variety of dogs, cats, and other animals without committing to one.

30. Writing Workshops

Cost to get started:Depends on the type of workshop and its duration

Supplies needed:Writing tools (laptop, software, notebooks and pens, reference books

Time commitment:Depends on the workshop

Interaction with others:Some socializing with the workshop leader/s and other participants

Turn a solo hobby into a more social one by joining a writing workshop. Depending on the type of workshop you join, you’ll benefit from the experience and ideas of the workshop leader and other participants.

On top of that, you’ll end the workshop with a completed work or something well on its way to completion.

31. Socializing on Social Media

Cost to get started:Free

Supplies needed:Social mediaapp/s, device (computer, tablet, or phone)

Time commitment:From 30 minutes a day to whatever amount of time fits your life

Interaction with others:Virtual interaction with other social media contacts

Social media channels you to interact with people you might otherwise never meet without the awkwardness involved in face-to-face meetings.

Whether you prefer Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, or something else, you can easily spend hours a day scrolling through posts and sharing your own, as well as supporting and encouraging others. And when you’re done or you need a break, just close the tab (or the app) and move on to something else.

32. Join a Book Club

Cost to get started:我们ually none unless the leader requests a monthly fee to help cover the cost of books (if they buy them for members)

Supplies needed:Books specified by the book club leader (if they don’t buy them for you), notebook or journal

Time commitment:An hour or more, depending on the book club

Interaction with others:As a member, you’re expected to weigh in on what you’ve read, as well as to ask questions or add to other members’ insights

If you love reading but also love to share your thoughts about books you read, this is the perfect way to make reading more social. Choose a group that reads the kinds of books you like to read, and make sure to get the assigned reading done before each meeting.

Some groups meet in person, when possible, while others use web chat apps like Zoom.

33. Coffee and Chat

Cost to get started:$2.50 and up for the coffee

Supplies needed:None

Time commitment:An hour or more, depending on your schedules

Interaction with others:You’ll be socializing with at least one other person

Who doesn’tloveto meet a friend and catch up over a cuppa? Even if you can’t meet face-to-face or in your favorite coffee shop, there are still ways to start this hobby or keep it going strong.

Consider brewing your favorite coffee before chatting together over Zoom or Skype. And if you can’t share baked goods right now, nothing says you can’t send each other something once a month to enjoy during the next chat.

What hobbies for introverts interest you?

Now that you’ve looked over this list of hobbies for introverts, which of them appealed to you most? Did any make you think, “I’ve always wanted to try that,” or “Well, now I have time…”?

Maybe you already have the tools you need to start one of thehobbieson this list. Or maybe you’re excited about buying what you need to get started on something new.

Whatever your plans, may your newest hobby bring you hours of enjoyment — either of the relaxing variety or the more stimulating kind. We need both.

Explore your world with a new hobby you can enjoy during yourlone time. Then show the world whatintrovertscan do when they get some time to themselves.

Expect great things!