I just started to look at this site and decided this place might be a good place to ask a serious question with anonymity. I have a small problem. I'm 23 and my two main interests, video games and anime/manga, are started to become boring to me. After so much exposure, more than enough for a lifetime even, I think I should truly move on and look for something new.
I talked with some of my friends and a couple ideas sparked my interest. Here's a short list of ideas I have that I've liked so far:
Target shooting w/rifles
Archery
Beer brewing
Boxing
I've thrown out hobbies like photography and music(anything related) due to general apathy. I'd like something that would keep me somewhat active (why archery and boxing are there), but would like something that can be truly affected by changes that I can make (why rifles and beer brewing are there). I tend to like the idea of messing around with something to make it better, which is why I liked playing some cRPGs and some racing games with tuning. I like beer and wine, but I'm not exactly sure I'd want to suffer through the experimentation of making my own. Boxing sounds fun, but would be tough to find space for the stand and bag. Rifle shooting sounds like the best option, but I don't have the money for what I want yet (I liked the feel of the Ruger Mini-14 which is ~$600).
I want some other ideas, but something that isn't related to anime or video games. I thought it might be possible to have all my bases covered if I asked as many people as possible. Thanks in advance.
card tricks are always great fun
Maybe you should pick two hobbies: one requiring a lot of exertion, and one that doesn't. The sport keeps you in good shape and additional social ties, while you can do the other if you're sore all over.
BTW, boxing is boring as hell if you're on your own. Go to a gym instead of whacking a bag at home. Even better, they won't let you wimp out and slack off. Also, kickboxing is more interesting than plain boxing.
1) Lift weights.
Make a routine that revolves around 20 rep squats, deadlifts, dips, bent over rows, overhead presses, and chin ups. You'll feel like a new man after a few weeks. Increased energy levels, drive, and strength.
2) Start tricking. Get a friend involved, go out there, and do it.
Watch amplers of people tricking and working out. Get yourself motivated, and keep at it. It will give you the change you need.
Play go. Most interesting game in the world and you'll never cease to have potential to get better. Nice ppl too. Some sport for the physical side wouldn't do any harm though, als dmpk2k suggested.
Sex!
Archery is pretty cool. See if you can find a kyujutsu teacher for the complete wapanese experience.
On the topic of martial arts, you might wanna try jujutsu, aikido, or another heavy-duty martial art if you can find a decent dojo. Avoid taekwondo, 90% of the places are halfway between summer camps and juvenile recovery programs (at least, near where I live).
I'll second the recommendation for jujitsu.
The dojo really does matter though, because some are pragmatic, while others resemble tai chi. I suppose it depends on what you're looking for.
Being as boards like these have a large weeaboo percentage, you might want to try out kyudo. (Yeah, kyujutsu was already mentioned, but generally kyudo is more readily available.) Look it up on Wikipedia for details, but in a nutshell it's like traditional japanese archery in a ritualized, formal sort of way. The improvement aspect is there, though you'll mostly be tinkering with yourself.
Also, what >>7 said about the martial arts.
I don't want to derail this thread, but maybe this can become a generic "help anyone choose a new hobby" thread, as I am having the same dilemma. I am quite the hobby jumper, as I have gotten into and then dumped the following hobbies (and their associated gear) over the past four years: manga, anime, Go, Python programming, reading sci-fi / fantasy, WoW, console gaming, learning Japanese, Angband, DJing, pixel art, composing electronica, writing sci-fi / fantasy, imageboards, drawing and competitive fighting games.
I'm at a loss as to what to do with my free time now. Although I've finally established a regular gym/cardio routine, I spend the rest of my free time staring at the internets. Any ideas? Something social would probably benefit me the most, as I don't go out very much. Heck, even hooking up with the local nerds and tabletop RPGing is starting to sound good.
Learn some card tricks. It's very cheap and will take lots of free time if you want to be done correctly.
General radio stuff (amateur or not) could be interesting, although I'm not really into it (pretty expensive for anything reasonably interesting too I believe).
Skygazing has the same possible side benefit as radio: excercise. Of course, if you live in any densely populated area (>500 000 people) giving up instantly on this makes the most sense.
Geocaching is also recommended. All these are nerdy, but anyone who wants brainless will probably be perfectly happy with TV anyway, so no problem.
All rise for the glorious entrance of Alexander to this unworthy thread!
Boxing
follow your heart
go for Target shooting
i know you like guns.
What do you know! I'm hooked on WoW again! I'll be back when I'm tired of it, whee!
Ultimate Frisbee
I reccomend you start playing Dungeons and Dragons.
How about soccer, or motorsports, either as a spectator or participant in either one. Nothing exhilartes more than driving a car at high speeds, IMO.
But it's not easy to choose a hobby. Generally, the situation is you are fascinated by, not choose that.
If you feel boring to your hobbies, take a break. Maybe the situation will get well soon or later.
Then, MILITARY is nice.^^
If you want to try martial arts, Bajiquan(八極拳), that I am learning, is a good choice.
And, Taijiquan(太極拳) probably is the most popular Chinese martial art in China and Taiwan.
I say go for Beer brewing. Even if you mess up you can still drink the shit, and if its good you can set up your own bar.
Grow weed?!?!?
How about airsofting
Try making up a Rock Band with your friends
Dirt BMXing.
Think of the most hardcore thing possible, and do it, no matter what will or might happen.
Papercraft and assembling papermodels. :3
Gotta love photography. Seriously, it's way cool.
>>1
Target shooting? With a Mini-14? The only competitive sport they're really suited for is the Practical Rifle portion of 3-Gun. Even then, you might be at a disadvantage to the AR15 crowd, especially out at 300 meters and beyond. A lot of the high-dollar, high-speed-low-drag stuff the AR guys favor (especially in Unlimited Class), like electronic red dot sights, is difficult to adapt to the Mini platform.
Build an RC plane! Archery also sounds cool. I got inspired to try that after watching "Whe Weatherman"
>>10 here again… can anyone recommend some hobbies that involve both being social and being creative? Something like being in a band, or something...
martial arts?
learn something new?
Fencing. Find a good instructor who's willing to really push you, and you can get something out of it.
Requirements:
Good hand-eye coord.
Slim-Middle body composition.
Good work ethic.
200 or so dollars (US).