Bored at 40? Start a New Hobby!

Turning 40 is a new milestone. It means you've established yourself in your career, kids are off to college, and you're tired of the usual stuff you're doing around the house. Or, you are momentarily in a situation where your time is all in your hands. Days are getting boring and tiresome. You feel so unproductive. Lying in bed with your gadget the whole day does not count as a productive endeavor.

It is never too late to get up, move around, and try new things, no matter how silly you think they are. It is the right time to start a new hobby, in addition to pruning your roses in the garden and changing the wall paper of your cellphone.

Here's a short list of possible hobbies and hopefully you can pick one or two that you will enjoy tremendously.

Learn a new language.

Not only it is challenging, but learning a new local or foreign language gives you a skill that can break barriers between neighbors.  It can create new friendships and can open you into new possibilities. It is a great exercise for the brain as what crunches do to your abdomen.

Paint or draw.

Everyone of us harbors an artist within. With a box of crayon or a good set of brushes and paints, you can create works of art. It may not attract buyers but the feeling of relaxation that it renders you is priceless. When I was in college, I buy children's coloring books and I feel relaxed and stress-free every time I color fishes, flowers, and Bugs Bunny.

Start a new sport, exercise, or physical activity.

If you're living a sedentary life for the last two decades, it would not be easy to start a new sport. The best physical activity to start you off is walking. It is free, easy, and good for anyone. Later, when walking is no longer challenging, try running with a buddy. You can always pick a sport or physical activity that you like and enjoy and meets your level of physical fitness. I suggest badminton, tennis, or volleyball. You can go swimming, hiking, biking, and trail running if you are more adventurous. You will be amazed that a year later, you are a new person because you are healthier and fitter.

Enroll in a self-improvement course.

It might be the best time to enroll in a speech class. You might want to get a tutor to teach you how to play a musical instrument or dance the Cha cha cha. You can develop new homemaking skills like cooking and baking or learn basic accounting and other business skills. You can also learn about car repairs. No one knows what these new skills can do to you and to your family. It is also a nice opportunity to meet new friends who share the same passion with you.

Start writing.

A good notebook and a good pen, or a laptop, can unleash the writer in you. You can start writing a journal or a blog about things that you are passionate about. It may be hard to put thoughts into words at first but writing constantly helps in unlocking those difficulties.

Start a collection of seemingly mundane things.

It may look absurd to others but collecting things can be therapeutic. I was an avid collector of rocks, bottle caps, stationery, mugs, stickers, fans, and pens. I tell you, it gives a different kind of satisfaction just to find a unique item to add to my growing collection.

Be a local tourist.

What? You're living in your city for two decades and you haven't visited the museum? You're not aware of the local tourist spots in your province? If your budget permits, you can visit one or two tourist attractions each month. It will open your eyes to the beauty of your place and be more aware of the local culture. Who knows, you might be of help in promoting ecotourism in your place. So pack those bags for a weekend and be a local tourist.

Be a photographer.

Almost everyone has a point-and-shoot camera but not everyone is a photographer. You can take photography seriously by learning the craft by heart. This can later become a full-blown career of yours. Prenuptial shoots are in and so with baby photography, food photography, and much more.

Make DIY a part of your vocabulary.

You can learn to make something out of some pieces of wood, nails, and hammer. With a can of paint, you can do some crafts for the home. You can beautify the garden with some DIY projects. So visit the hardware and find what you need to build tables, bench, and other simple furnitures. It takes practice to become creative.



These are just some of the things that you can take up as a hobby. I'm sure, there are some more based on your interest and capability. Start, keep at it and it will become a habit!