LIFE

The new year is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. Trying different activities can lead you to new friends and more happiness—and who knows, you might become really good at something! Whether you love being artsy or getting your hands dirty, check the list below to find a new hobby you’ll no doubt enjoy.

If you love…posting on Insta, try photography
Diving into photography might seem overwhelming at first, with all the camera setting and technical terms, but if you have a smartphone with a high-quality cam, you can start snapping artsy pics with just that! And if you already have a camera, even better. Practice makes perfect. The next time you see a beautiful sunset, try experimenting with angles and filters to see how you can best capture it. You can also ask your friends to pose for photos or look for interesting subjects around your house. There are tons of photography tips and tutorials online, so check those out if you want to polish your skills! Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can even enter contests and start lending your talents to your family and friends.

If you love…playing games on your phone, try coding
You know that game you’ve been playing non-stop since last week? Someone came up with that idea, coded it and made sure it's flawless—and you can do that, too. Coding allows you to make websites, animate movies, design high-tech clothing and so much more. If your school has a computer science class, start learning how to code by signing up! If not, there are tons of free resources online that can teach you, including Codeacademy.

If you love…interacting with nature, try gardening
Turning dirt into a delicious garden of fruits and vegetables or a beautiful assortment of flowers can be very rewarding. All you need is a patch of soil, some plants and a bit of research. Surf online to find out which plants grow best in your area and the deets on taking care of your garden. There’s nothing tastier than tomatoes or strawberries that came from your own backyard!

If you love…eating dessert, try baking
Who doesn’t love the smell of cookies baking in the oven? GL has tons of recipes you can try, including ones for cookies, DIY Pop Tarts and pies. If you find that you really love baking, you could eventually start your own business, throw a bake sale to raise money for a good cause or just offer some delicious cookies to your friends and teachers.

If you love…talking and sharing information, try making a YouTube channel
Whether you enjoy reading novels, doing makeup, singing or making people laugh, you can easily start a YouTube channel to share your talents and opinions with the world. Chances are, you’ll meet other YouTubers with similar interests, impress your peers and learn video editing skills. And, with some persistence and a bit of luck, you might be able to earn some cash. Make sure you practice internet safety and receive your parents’ permission first, though!

Lauren Riihimaki (AKA LaurDIY) has over 8 million subscribers, and she made a great video explaining how to start a YouTube channel:

What hobby do you want to try in 2019? Share in the comments!

by Grace Zhou | 12/30/2018