You know what introverts do for fun(because you are one), and you know your brain needs fun in order to function as it should.
You also know you need to conserve energy, so hobbies for loners are your best bet for finding a creative way to get your head back in the game.
Welcome to 33 of the best hobbies for introverts! Read on to find a new favorite.
What Activities Do Introverts Enjoy?
Think of the hobbies introverts tend to enjoy, and they probably fall into one of these categories:
Creating by themselves (writing, knitting or crocheting, drawing, etc.)
Enjoying solitary restorative movement (yoga, tai chi, dance, walking, etc.)
Collecting a specific and meaningful category of things (art, seashells, dolls, etc.)
Relaxing with entertainment (TV, books, documentaries, podcasts, music, etc.)
Spending time in nature (nature walks, camping, bicycling, hiking, etc.)
For an introvert, hobbies are about rest and rekindling a fire that’s burning low. And that requires some time alone. Read on to learn more about specific hobbies and how to get started with them.
33 Hobbies for Introverts and People Who Like to Be Alone
Look carefully through this list of hobbies for introverts and imagine yourself doing each of these things. Think, too, of what you’d most like to create for yourself or someone else.
Some of these could actually qualify as social hobbies for introverts since the end result is something you can share with others.
And if two or more introverts enjoy the same hobby, they can (remotely) keep each other posted on their progress with each new project.
1. Writing
Cost to get started: Free (using Google Docs) or the cost of notebooks and pens or other writing software (Microsoft Word, Scrivener, etc.)
Supplies needed: Notebooks, journal, pens or pencils, writing software and the devices on which to use them
Time commitment: From a few minutes a day to as long as you like, with regular breaks
Interaction with others: None required
Writing is a good way for an introvert to get their thoughts out. Some things are harder to express through spoken words.
Don’t underestimate the importance of a good story, journal entry, or article.
2. Drawing
Cost to get started: From $0 to hundreds in quality paper, drawing pencils, and instruction
Supplies needed: Drawing paper, drawing pencils (charcoals), color pencils
Time commitment: 30 minutes or more a day to as long as you like
Interaction with others: None, unless you want company
Drawing is a great grounding skill when it feels like the world is spinning around you. It can be relaxing, entertaining, and very rewarding.
No one is perfect when they first start out, but drawing isn’t just about the final result. Anyone can enjoy it.
3. Learning Languages
Cost to get started: From $0 to as much as you’re willing to spend on language resources
Supplies needed: A language app; dictionary and other language guides; other tools as needed (flashcards, books written in the chosen language, music in the chosen language…)
Time commitment: As little as a few minutes a day to as long as you like
Interaction with others: Solitary with an app or recorded language tools; less solitary with a class
Learning a new language is not only a great hobby, but a very useful life skill. While it may be frustrating at times, there are many different ways to learn.
Many people will post helpful videos on youtube, and others have free websites for learning.
There are also many language-learning apps that will cost you little to nothing.
4. Making Friendship Bracelets
Cost to get started: Cost of embroidery floss or crochet thread
Supplies needed: Embroidery floss or crochet thread in chosen colors
Time commitment: None, though it can take upwards of 30 minutes to create one
Interaction with others: None required
Being an introvert doesn’t mean not having friends. In fact, introverts often like to surprise their closest friends with gifts or signs of affection.
You can find dozens of bracelet patterns online for free. Making friendship bracelets is very time-consuming, but the result is a beautiful, vibrantly colored gift.
5. Knitting or Crocheting
Cost to get started: Under $50 for yarn and knitting needles or crochet hooks, though large projects requiring many skeins of yarn may cost more
Supplies needed: Yarn or crochet thread, knitting needles or crochet hooks or knitting loom, fnishing needle, placeholding clips, yarn bag for crafting on-the-go
Time commitment: None required, though it can take an hour or more for some projects and days for larger ones
Interaction with others: None required
Pick up knitting or crocheting, and you can enjoy making hats, scarves, blankets, etc. for yourself or for loved ones.
You can even open an Esty store and sell some of your finished pieces — if only to pay for new yarn and crafting supplies.
6. Sewing
Cost to get started: Under $10 for needles and thread for DIY repair or $100s for a good sewing machine and fabric for sewing projects
Supplies needed: Needles, thread, sewing maching with extra needles, fabric, scissors, measuring tools, lamp with eye-friendly light, adjustable dressform (for garments)
Time commitment: A few minutes a day for small tasks, up to hours for large projects
Interaction with others: None required unless you’re tailoring people’s clothes and need them to show up for measurements and fittings
If you’ve ever looked at someone’s finished sewing project and thought, “Wow! I wish I could do that,” you can make a start just by learning some simple sewing projects — like a small purse or a keychain holder for your lip balm.
7. Baking
Cost to get started: Under $10 for basic baking supplies (flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs…) to $100s for high-quality baking tools (stand mixer, utensils, baking pans…)
Supplies needed: Mixing bowls, baking pans and dishes, utensils/mixing tools, rolling pin, cutting board, cake decorating kit, ingredients, mixer (stand or hand-held).
Time commitment: From under 30 minutes for quick projects to hours for detailed cakes, elaborate pastries, etc.
Interaction with others: None required
If you love baked goods (or you know someone who does), learn how to bake bread, cakes, and other goodies with a few basic baking tools and supplies. YouTube has tutorials on baking and cake decorating, so you can learn helpful tips from experienced bakers.
8. Doing Puzzles
Cost to get started: Around $10 and up, depending on complexity and where you buy them
Supplies needed: Puzzles, puzzle-friendly accessories: storage roll mat, puzzle board
Time commitment: You decide.
Interaction with others: None, unless you want company
If you love crossword puzzles or Sudoku, you can either download an app or buy some printed puzzle books to work on. If you’re more into jigsaw puzzles, you narrow down the (overwhelming) options by choosing a particular theme for each week or month.
9. Yoga
Cost to get started: From $0 (with YouTube videos or free apps) to around $20-30 for a yoga mat, plus whatever you spend on yoga classes and yoga-specific clothing
Time commitment: From 10 minutes to 1-1.5 hours, depending on whether you’re doing a few basic moves on your own to start the day (or end it) or you’re attending a class
Interaction with others: None when you’re doing this alone with an app; quite a bit more when you’re in a class with other yoga learners
If you need more calm in your life right now, yoga gives you a variety of options to choose from — Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Yoga Nidra, Bikram (hot) yoga, Kundalini, etc — depending on what you need from it most right now.
Time commitment: As much or as little time as you have or want to spend reading
Interaction with others: None required unless you’ve joined a book club
You might already have a stack of books waiting for you on a shelf or on the Cloud, but if you don’t, do some browsing and find some new reads. Then schedule some reading time for each day. Or if you’d rather listen to someone else read, choose audiobooks.
11. Going on a Nature Walk
Cost to get started: Free
Supplies needed: None (unless you need new walking shoes)
Time commitment: None required. Make it as long or short as fits your life.
Interaction with others: None, unless you want company
Even when you’re social distancing (or physical distancing), you can take nature walks to enjoy the fresh air, sunshine (if there is any), and scenery. Get out there and find places that inspire you for mindful movement and quiet reflection.
12. Pottery
Cost to get started: Stoneware clay costs around $26.15 for 50 lbs. The cost of renting kiln space will depend on availability in your area.
Supplies needed: Clay (stoneware, earthenware, etc.), canvas (work surface, so clay won’t stick), glaze, pottery wheel (depending on what you’re making), and rented kiln space
Time commitment: Allot at least an hour each time; it’s messy work, and it can take time to turn a lump of clay into the shape you want.
Interaction with others: None required.
What would you make for yourself (or someone else) if you knew how to work with clay — a large fruit bowl, a tall vase, a set of mugs?
You can always start with something simple like a tray for your keys and loose change or a small candy dish.
13. Watching Movies/TV shows
Cost to get started: None but whatever you spend for programming (Netflix, Roku, etc.)
Supplies needed: A television or computer, TV and movie streaming services/apps
Time commitment: The length of whatever movies or shows you choose to watch
Interaction with others: None, unless you want company
Maybe this doesn’t sound like a hobby, but watching movies or TV shows can strengthen your connection with family and friends with similar tastes — as well as fellow fandom members you meet and follow online (I recommend Tumblr for this).
14. Online Games
Cost to get started: The cost of said games (some are free).
Supplies needed: A computer or tablet, game apps or gaming website
Time commitment: As long as a game lasts (varies).
Interaction with others: None required
Any internet search for “online games” will take you to sites full of games you might enjoy playing during your time alone. Narrow your search with words like “mystery,” “fantasy,” or “solitaire” if you’re looking for games of a particular type or genre.
Cost to get started: $20+ for a canvas and an inexpensive set of acrylic paints and brushes
Supplies needed: Paints (acrylics, oils, or watercolor), brushes, canvas or other painting surface (rocks, tiles, etc.)
Time commitment: Budget 30 minutes to an hour or more for a painting project (depending on size and complexity)
Interaction with others: None required
Painting tools and supplies are easy to get online, and YouTube is full of painting tutorials for when you’re staring at that fresh, white canvas and wondering how to begin. You can also paint rocks and tiles for use as gifts or decorations.
16. Biking
Cost to get started: $100 and up for a bicycle and around $20+ for a helmet
Supplies needed: Bicycle, bicycle helmet, snug-fitting clothes (jersey and padded bib shorts or bike shorts), athletic shoes or road bike shoes, water bottle
Time commitment: You decide.
Interaction with others: None, unless you want company
If you’ve got a bicycle and somewhere to ride it, biking is not only a great way to get some fresh air and exercise; it also gives you another way to get from one place to another. Save gas and cycle to the nearest store. Or go for a ride on a nearby bike trail.
17. Gardening
Cost to get started: The cost of potting soil and quality seeds or seedlings, pots and tools
Supplies needed: Pots, potting soil, seeds or seedlings, gardening tools (trowel, etc.), gardening gloves, knee rest, watering can or hose for irrigation
Time commitment: 30 minutes+ daily to plant, cultivate, feed and water, and remove weeds
Interaction with others: None required
Even if all you have room for are a few containers, choose your plants from a local nursery or grow your own from seeds. Learn what you can from experienced gardeners via their books or YouTube channels and enjoy growing and harvesting food and flowers..
18. Watching Documentaries
Cost to get started: Free on YouTube; other streaming/programming services may cost.
Supplies needed: A television or computer, streaming app or digital receiver
Time commitment: You decide.
Interaction with others: None, unless you want company
Find a list of documentaries worth checking out and make watching them a regular daily or weekly thing. You can even choose a theme for each week or month and choose your documentaries accordingly. Or just go with whatever appeals to you most on a given day.
19. Coloring
Cost to get started: $5 and up for an adult coloring book, plus $10+ for a set of dual-tipped color markers (brush tip and fine tip)
Supplies needed: Adult coloring book/s, color markers (ideally with dual tips: brush and fine)
Time commitment: You decide.
Interaction with others: None unless you want company
Buy yourself some adult coloring books and a set of color pencils or fine-tipped markers and get started on a soothing hobby that helps you get into a meditative state.
You can even laminate your favorite finished pages to create placemats or decorative bookmarks.
20. Origami
Cost to get started: $7 and up for origami paper (instructional videos on YouTube are free)
Supplies needed: Origami paper (which comes in a variety of colors and/or patterns)
Time commitment: A few minutes or as long as you like
Interaction with others: None required
Remember that stack of patterned scrapbooking paper you never used — or that someone gave you thinking, “Well, now, she’ll finally make use of those albums I gave her.” (Nervous laugh). Origami is an excellent use for that — and YouTube is a great place to learn it.
21. Calligraphy
Cost to get started: $7 and up for modern calligraphy brush pens or $25+ for a fountain pen set with nibs, ink, etc.; $10+ for calligraphy paper
Supplies needed: modern calligraphy brush pens or a fountain pen set, calligraphy paper (140 gsm), instruction booklet or video
Time commitment: 30 minutes or more (as needed) for practice or specific projects
Interaction with others: None required
Learn calligraphy, and you can create beautiful gifts and wall art with your favorite quotes, poetry, or song lyrics. Use high-quality paper to prevent bleed-through, and use your new skill to write more heartfelt notes to the people you care about.
22. Learning a Musical Instrument
Cost to get started: Depends on the instrument, but used instruments cost less than new.
Supplies needed: Your instrument, carrying case, cleaning/maintenance kit
Time commitment: 30 minutes or more daily for practice
Interaction with others: None required
Take up an affordable instrument like the tin whistle or invest in the instrument you’ve always wanted to play and learn from a local teacher or from online videos. Make time every day for practice and work on one tune at a time until you master it.
23. Learning Computer Programming
Cost to get started: Free text/code editor (Atom.io, etc.) and free instructional videos on YouTube; $20+ for Udemy videos (on sale), free GitHub membership
Supplies needed: Code editor or IDE (Integrated Development Editor), a computer (desktop or laptop), instructional booklet or videos/video courses
Time commitment: 30 minutes or more daily to learn new concepts and practice
Interaction with others: None required
If you’ve always wanted to develop a new app or write code for a website with your own design ideas, learn computer programming. Learn from online videos and courses to build and sharpen your coding skills for frontend, backend, or full stack web development.
Supplies needed: whittling knife, sharpener/strop kit, wood (soft woods like pine or balsa are best), gloves or a thumb guard
Time commitment: 30 minutes or more daily to practice
Interaction with others: None unless you want company
If you’d rather work with wood, get yourself a whittling knife and start by turning random twigs or small blocks of wood into figures or kitchen utensils (a new wooden spoon for your favorite baker, perhaps — or a carved wooden pendant for a friend).
25. Listening to Podcasts
Cost to get started: Free
Supplies needed: podcast apps (Stitcher, iTunes, etc.) and computer, tablet or phone
Time commitment: 30 minutes or more per podcast
Interaction with others: None required
With all the podcasts available now (and the number keeps growing), you’re bound to find some that interest you. If you find it easier to listen to audiobooks than to sit down and read a book, a whole world of learning and inspiration awaits.
26. Singing
Cost to get started: Free
Supplies needed: None
Time commitment: You decide.
Interaction with others: None required
If you love singing but want to improve your singing voice, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and ideas online from talented and experienced singers who’ve been where you are now.
Learn from them and practice every day to hone your vocal skills and learn new songs.
27. Photography
Cost to get started: $100 and up for a digital camera, $0 and up for photo editing software
Supplies needed: digital camera, photo editing software — like PhotoScape (free) or Adobe Creative Cloud’s Photography or Photoshop
Time commitment: 30 minutes+ (practice) or whenever you find yourself in a place or situation that calls for a camera
Interaction with others: None required unless you’re photographing people
Photography as a hobby doesn’t require you to be social, though it does give you plenty to share online with fellow photography enthusiasts — as well as people you care about who love to see what you’re up to.
Being an introvert doesn’t make you antisocial, even when your energy levels are low. Sometimes, hobbies that involve other people can be more appealing than going solo. So, this post would be incomplete without a selection of introvert-friendly social hobbies.
28. Playing Chess
Cost to get started: $13 and up for a chess board
Supplies needed: Chess board
Time commitment: Budget at least an hour for a game, though it can either take far less or far more time than that.
Interaction with others: One other person
Chess is a game of strategy that is most enjoyable with two players — as opposed to one player versus an app or online game.
It might take a few games for you to get all the rules down, but once you know them, you and your opponent can enjoy hours of quiet, thoughtful strategizing.
29. Volunteering at an Animal Shelter
Cost to get started: Free
Supplies needed: None (shelters typically have leashes for you to use)
Time commitment: Depends on the shelter and what you’ll be doing for the animals assigned to you.
Interaction with others: Some interaction with shelter staff, plus interaction with the animal/s you spend time with.
If you want to volunteer but prefer the company of animals, this is the perfect hobby. Depending on the policies at your nearest shelter, you could spend time every week walking dogs or helping with other animals.
While you’ll probably still have some interaction with shelter staff, you’ll get to enjoy socializing with a variety of dogs, cats, and other animals without committing to one.
30. Writing Workshops
Cost to get started: Depends on the type of workshop and its duration
Interaction with others: Some socializing with the workshop leader/s and other participants
Turn a solo hobby into a more social one by joining a writing workshop. Depending on the type of workshop you join, you’ll benefit from the experience and ideas of the workshop leader and other participants.
On top of that, you’ll end the workshop with a completed work or something well on its way to completion.
Cost to get started: Free
Supplies needed:Social media app/s, device (computer, tablet, or phone)
Time commitment: From 30 minutes a day to whatever amount of time fits your life
Interaction with others: Virtual interaction with other social media contacts
Social media channels you to interact with people you might otherwise never meet without the awkwardness involved in face-to-face meetings.
Whether you prefer Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, or something else, you can easily spend hours a day scrolling through posts and sharing your own, as well as supporting and encouraging others. And when you’re done or you need a break, just close the tab (or the app) and move on to something else.
32. Join a Book Club
Cost to get started: Usually none unless the leader requests a monthly fee to help cover the cost of books (if they buy them for members)
Supplies needed: Books specified by the book club leader (if they don’t buy them for you), notebook or journal
Time commitment: An hour or more, depending on the book club
Interaction with others: As a member, you’re expected to weigh in on what you’ve read, as well as to ask questions or add to other members’ insights
If you love reading but also love to share your thoughts about books you read, this is the perfect way to make reading more social. Choose a group that reads the kinds of books you like to read, and make sure to get the assigned reading done before each meeting.
Some groups meet in person, when possible, while others use web chat apps like Zoom.
33. Coffee and Chat
Cost to get started: $2.50 and up for the coffee
Supplies needed: None
Time commitment: An hour or more, depending on your schedules
Interaction with others: You’ll be socializing with at least one other person
Who doesn’t love to meet a friend and catch up over a cuppa? Even if you can’t meet face-to-face or in your favorite coffee shop, there are still ways to start this hobby or keep it going strong.
Consider brewing your favorite coffee before chatting together over Zoom or Skype. And if you can’t share baked goods right now, nothing says you can’t send each other something once a month to enjoy during the next chat.
What hobbies for introverts interest you?
Now that you’ve looked over this list of hobbies for introverts, which of them appealed to you most? Did any make you think, “I’ve always wanted to try that,” or “Well, now I have time…”?
Maybe you already have the tools you need to start one of the hobbies on this list. Or maybe you’re excited about buying what you need to get started on something new.
Whatever your plans, may your newest hobby bring you hours of enjoyment — either of the relaxing variety or the more stimulating kind. We need both.
Explore your world with a new hobby you can enjoy during your lone time. Then show the world what introverts can do when they get some time to themselves.
