Looking for a new hobby? Here are 30 enjoyable hobbies to try in midlife.

Women often start looking for new hobbies in midlife. And that’s mostly because we now have more time for ourselves. But even if we didn’t have children and aren’t experiencing empty nesting, midlife is a time for reflection and investing in yourself. 

Why should women over 50 have hobbies?

The obvious answer is – to have some fun. But it’s wonderful to know that there are also many other benefits to trying new hobbies in midlife.

1. Mental Stimulation: Having a hobby can challenge the mind, provide mental stimulation, and prevent cognitive decline that may come with ageing.

2. Socializing: Hobbies are an opportunity for women over 50 to meet new people and bond over shared interests, which encourages social interaction that can lead to a sense of community and belonging. And this can be vital for happiness and longevity.

3. Increased Physical Activity: Certain hobbies, like hiking, gardening, or dancing can help women over 50 stay active, improving overall health and well-being.

4. Personal Growth and Development: Engaging in a hobby can allow midlife women to explore creativity, learn new skills, and achieve personal growth and development.

5. Reduce Stress: Hobbies can provide a positive way to reduce stress and encourage relaxation.

Hobbies for Women in Midlife

• Gardening – Gardening is a great way to get outside, get some exercise, and enjoy solitude in nature. There are also the added benefits of spending less time on technology, getting to feel more “grounded” (sorry, it had to be done) and the pleasure of seeing the results of your efforts.

• Painting and drawing – These are both relaxing and creative hobbies. And there are many different types of painting and drawing techniques to try – so it would suit any level of ability.

• Knitting or crocheting – (Yes, I am, in fact including knitting and crocheting in this list. Because what would a midlife hobbies list be without knitting and crocheting? Incomplete, that’s what!) But seriously, knitting and crocheting are great hobbies for women over 50. They’re low-impact activities and can be done almost anywhere. Also, Michelle Obama is doing it so I’m in. There are many different patterns and projects to try, from scarves and hats to sweaters and blankets. And if you’re a beginner like me, you can even start with knitting dishcloths!

• Cooking – If you find cooking relaxing, it could be a great hobby to try out new recipes and cuisines during midlife. Often an empty nest means more time and fewer people to cook for which may be the ideal time to experiment and start enjoying cooking again. And you could test out your new dishes on friends by having dinner parties.

• Travelling – Traveling is a great way to explore new places, learn about different cultures, and make new friends. Whether it’s a weekend road trip, exploring your home town or a month-long adventure abroad, there’s always something new to discover.

• Yoga and Pilates are great ways to improve flexibility, balance, and strength. They also help to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

• Writing – Writing is a great way to express oneself and explore your creativity. Whether it’s journaling, writing poetry, or writing a memoir, there are endless possibilities for creative expression. I love blogging and find that it’s a brilliant way to express myself creatively. And I learn new things all the time by running the maintenance, improvements and the backend of my blog.

• Tennis or Pickleball. If you’ve played tennis before but even doubles is now feeling like too much hard work, you may want to try pickleball. It’s played on a smaller court and is easy to pick up. It’s also very sociable so if you’re lonely or looking for more friends, you can meet lots of people by joining a group.

• Join a boxing class. It’s a good workout and a great way to let off some steam. Hah.

• Deep water running or wild swimming. Being low-impact, these kinds of activities are well-suited to women our age. It’s excellent for maintaining fitness and doing a bit of cardio and resistance training too. Check out this post for why deep water running is a great exercise option for us. And wild swimming seems to have become quite popular lately too – swimming in lakes, rivers, rock pools and the ocean – especially in cold water – apparently has many benefits. (*Makes mental note to research wetsuit swimwear.*)

• Dancing – Dancing is a fun and invigorating hobby that can be enjoyed at any age. Whether it’s ballroom dancing, salsa dancing, or line dancing, there are many different styles to explore and enjoy.

I recently tried a Zumba class at the gym and let’s put it this way – it was a good workout. Fantastic for those who have danced before and have good coordination. Me? Not so much. I mean I can hold my own at a dance party, but when it comes to choreographed moves, I find myself doing a lot of shuffling around. And I always tend to be about two steps behind the rest of the class, trying awkwardly to catch up. So yes, a real workout for me! But also lots of fun and laughs.

And for those who are like me, I’d say head straight to the back of the class, avoid any mirrors and maybe only do the leg part initially. You’ll still have lots of fun, work up a real sweat and make friends with the other fun ladies in the class (especially that one in the back row with you!).

Some brilliant books about midlife that midlife women need to read

• Volunteering – Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the world. There are many different organizations and causes to support, from animal shelters and food banks to social justice and environmental advocacy groups.

• Reading – Reading can transport midlife women to new worlds, inspiring us to learn more about different cultures, people, and perspectives. Keeping an open mind and continuing to learn are important things to strive for in midlife and beyond. Every year I set up a reading challenge on Goodreads which keeps me focused throughout the year.

• Playing a Musical Instrument – Learning to play musical instruments is a great way to challenge the mind, improve hand-eye coordination, and express yourself creatively. There are so many different instruments to choose from. And you don’t have to set your goals to anything more than learning a couple of songs on the guitar or piano if that’s all you can manage. Learning to read music would, in itself, be an amazing skill to learn.

• Birdwatching – Birdwatching is a relaxing and fascinating hobby that allows midlife women to observe the beauty and behaviour of different bird species. And strangely only seems to come into its own as we age! Yes, I’m now at the age where I get super excited when ‘my kingfisher’ comes to visit our garden.

• Collecting – And by collecting I don’t mean hoarding. Selectively curated collecting can be a fun way to explore our interests and curiosities. There are many different things to collect, such as vases, spoons, books, vintage items, art and so much more. The wackier the collection the better, in my opinion.

• Hiking – or walking – is a great way to get some fresh air, exercise, and appreciate beautiful surroundings. There are many different trails to explore –  from easy neighbourhood or nature walks to challenging mountain treks.

• Martial Arts like Tai Chi which is relaxing and beneficial.

• Flower arranging. I did a flower arranging course at a local florist last year where I learnt some great tips and spent a lovely afternoon chatting with a wide variety of people. Flower arranging is a skill that’ll stand you in good stead and is incredibly calming. It’s also so rewarding to see what you can create in a variety of vases.

• Arts and crafts – a wonderful way to express creativity and make something beautiful with your own hands. There are endless possibilities, from paper crafts and pottery to woodworking, jewellery or candle making. I’m in the process of researching pottery classes in my area because I love the idea of creating something useful with my hands.

• Golf is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, and a fun way to socialize and meet new people too. I’ve heard it’s advisable to get a few lessons to start with and then practice, practice, practice.

• Genealogy is a fascinating hobby that allows us middle-aged women to trace our family history and discover our roots. PS This could be very rewarding but also totally devastating – proceed with caution. 😉

• Learning a new language keeps your brain engaged. This would be a handy hobby to pick up before going on a trip abroad where you could practice your pronunciation in real life.

• Photography is another fantastic hobby that allows women over 50 to capture the beauty of the world around them in a relaxed way. Whether it’s photographing family and friends, nature, or landscapes, there’s always something interesting to photograph, all in your own time. You could sign up for a course to learn the basics and then take it from there.

In conclusion

Having hobbies can offer many potential benefits for women over 50, over and above merely making you feel happy. And there are so many great hobbies that would be fantastic for women in midlife. Do you have a wonderfully different hobby? Or which of the ones I listed do you do or maybe want to try?

You may also want to read: How to find new hobbies

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