Ahhh, your 30s, the bumpy, pothole-riddled road full of sudden, unpredictable twists, turns, and maybe even a U-turn here or there. That’s sort of what it feels like, right? It’s like your 20s are playing a cruel joke on you while your 40s loom in the shadows nearby. (Okay, let’s not be dramatic, your 30s are actually kind of the best.)
But here’s the thing, by the time you hit 30, you’re more in control of your life than ever before. You’re more in tune with yourself and you have a better idea of what you want. At the same time, your responsibilities are bigger, which makes self-care that much more important. Now is the perfect time to dedicate some time to yourself. Carving out time to do something you love can give you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, and bring joy and relaxation to an otherwise stressful routine. So, today we’re sharing a round-up of hobbies that women in their 30s can enjoy.
Try Something New: 10 Hobbies For Women In Their 30s
Photography
Tons of people enjoy photography as a hobby, and thanks to your phone, you don’t need a big, fancy camera to join in the fun. Don’t overthink it, just snap photos of anything that catches your eye, and have fun with it by trying different perspectives and subjects. It’s a great way to stay focused on the present moment too, which can work wonders for your mental health.
Whether or not to share your photos is totally up to you! You can keep them to yourself or share them with friends and family on social media. Or, you can share them on online platforms and reap the benefits of discovering one of the best money-making hobbies.
Art
Put the world on pause for a bit and focus on creating something unique and beautiful. Creating art is a great way to relax and fuel your creative energy. Try sculpting, painting, drawing, crocheting, or any of the MILLIONS of art forms out there. (Underwater basket weaving, maybe???) It doesn’t matter if you don’t have natural talent either. Who cares if you’re a total beginner? Everyone has to start somewhere!
Cooking & Baking
Being an adult means you don’t have to ask permission to bake cookies at 9 am or apologize for covering the kitchen in flour while making homemade noodles. If you like to bake or cook, turn it into a hobby. Try new recipes, learn new skills, and experiment with different techniques. You can then share your goodies with lucky friends, families, neighbors, etc. And, to get inspired, you should def binge All on the Table, one of our FAVE food podcasts.
Podcasting Or Vlogging
Podcasting or vlogging are great hobbies for women who to love to talk and spill the tea. Maybe you have a knack for making people laugh, maybe you have a life experience from your 20s you MUST share, or maybe you’re just SUPER knowledgeable on makeup, business, pop culture, or anything in between! Whatever it is, if you have something to say, turn it into a hobby! Listen to a few of the best podcasts for women in their 30s to get an idea of what all the fun is about and make sure you have what you need to start a podcast.
Volunteering
Volunteering is another great option with unlimited possibilities. Try volunteering your time to help the less fortunate, which can benefit your soul just as much as the people you help. You can also volunteer in your local community and support causes you’re passionate about. Volunteering is an amazing way to make a positive impact and learn more about yourself in the process. If you’re not sure what the community around you really needs, listen to I Am America for some of our country’s biggest societal struggles!
Exercise
There are waaay too many benefits of exercise to list them all, and we’re willing to bet you’re not up for an in-depth discussion about bone density, heart health, improved flexibility, etc., so just trust us when we say exercise is good for you. But exercising doesn’t have to mean sweating in a gym or running on a treadmill, unless that’s your thing, of course. When we say exercise, we mean physical activities that get your body moving, like practicing yoga, taking a dance class, and rock climbing.
Puzzles & Games
Puzzles and games, digital or not, are perfect for slowing down, relaxing, and taking your mind off things. Old-school jigsaw puzzles will keep you occupied for a while and it always feels great to complete one. Board games are a great way to relieve stress while spending time with others, and video games are ideal for accessible entertainment and finding a temporary escape.
DIY Projects
How about creating something entirely from scratch? DIY projects are a popular hobby because you get to decide what to make, how to make it, and what to make it for. From furniture flips and handmade home decor to redoing an entire room in your home, there are countless DIY projects to enjoy. Let’s get crafty, guys!
Reading
Kenzie Elizabeth, host of House Guest with Kenzie Elizabeth, recently proclaimed that Grandma Hobbies Are In, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Kenzie also wanted everyone to know that You Need Hobbies in Your Twenties to be a Happy Healthy Individual, so that’s your cue to try reading as a hobby. There’s really nothing like getting lost in a good book, and with unlimited options at your fingertips, you can easily find a book that keeps your attention. Even better, join a book club like The Readheads Book Club. They’re super fun and great for meeting new people!
Speaking of reading, the episode of Balanced Black Girl, How Reading Fiction Helps Us Raise Our Standards and Practice Self-Care, is a must-listen.
Gardening
Last, but certainly not least, gardening is another “grandma hobby” that can be only as time-consuming as you want it to be. Pick a spot in your backyard and get started with the help of a beginner gardening kit or try growing simple vegetables in a pot. Caring for something and watching it grow and turn into nourishment for your body is unlike anything else.
What Women In Their 30s Wants To Be Happy
Happiness. Genuine, long-lasting happiness. That’s the answer to the age-old question of what women want. But you can’t just buy a box of happiness and call it a day. To a certain extent, happiness comes naturally, but the kind of happiness that comes from feeling completely satisfied with most, if not all, aspects of your life usually takes time and a good amount of effort. So, what’s a gal to do? What makes women, particularly women in their 30s, happiest?
There’s no one-size-fits-all road map to happiness because everyone is different, but here are the things mentioned most often:
- Enduring, authentic friendships
- Career success (seeing your hard work pay off, achieving financial independence, etc.)
- Meaningful experiences (vacations, milestones, special occasions, holidays, etc.)
- Self-confidence, self-love (truly loving yourself as you are)
- Personal growth
- Letting go of the past and moving on; no regrets
For more on this, be sure to check out Real Pod: Change Your Brain, Change Your Life & The 7 Habits of Happiness.
Finding a hobby is a great first step to being truly happy in your 30s.
With so many great hobbies for women to choose from, this post just barely scratches the surface of possibility. Finding a hobby in your 30s can have a huge impact on your mental health, and can help you achieve true happiness for yourself. Find a hobby that makes you feel good and stick with it!!
For more great hobby ideas, check out Winter Hobbies To Try This Season and Hobbies That Help You Make Money!
Or, if you need to pause your search and take a breather, the Dear Media show catalog is a great resource for more stellar life advice for women of any age from relationship advice to career wisdom. You can also find a bunch of insightful posts in the Dear Media blog, too! Basically, let Dear Media be one of your new hobbies!