Watch Shop - 2016 The year of the new hobby

First published: 22-01-2016

The calendars rolled over to January a couple of weeks ago, and now it's time to kick-start the New Year by taking up a new hobby!

With all the Facebook statuses of 'New Year, new me' flying around, it's time to give some thought to what you can get stuck into. No matter how strenuous or easy-going your ideal hobby is, we've got an out-of-the-box idea that is sure to tickle your fancy.

Keeping warm indoors

While you can't really go for a 10-mile jog inside the house, there are a huge amount of hobbies that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your cosy lounge, so you can wait until the weather warms up a little before taking on various runs and hikes.

Discovering the artist within

Painting can be the perfect outlet when faced with a busy schedule; it's a relaxing experience that can be squeezed into an evening after work. However, as a slightly easier option than literally starting from a blank canvas, pick up an adult colouring book and a set of pens instead.

Teach yourself to knit

We don't know if you've heard the news, but knitting is cool again. Yes, it's a popular pastime at the moment, and with finger knitting, you can craft a wonderful piece of knitwear using only your hands… and maybe a pair of scissors, too.

There are countless online tutorials and videos to help you along the way to knitting success, too, so help is always at your fingertips!

Become the master of the kitchen

A health kick at the start of the year is a tried and tested method to get yourself up and running for the coming months. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to get creative in the kitchen and rustle up some meals that are healthy and delicious. Experiment with some new ingredients like couscous and kale, and consider buying a recipe book to be your helper - your sous chef.

If there's one thing that's essential in the kitchen, it's timing. To avoid over- or under-cooking anything, consider getting yourself a clock to help you out.



This Seiko LCD Alarm clock will do the job here, being able to stand up on the worktop while you're crafting an amazing dish. Its digital display allows you to easily glance over whenever you need to, while the alarm function is there to notify you when you need to take something off the boil or out of the oven.

Bracing the cold outdoors

There are tons of exciting hobbies waiting to be undertaken outside, too, so if you can stand a bit of a cold snap, then it's certainly worth heading out into the winter wilderness. Be sure to wrap up and keep yourself fuelled with hot drinks, and you'll enjoy the experience.

Take up photography

A professional camera does the job best, but as smartphones now have capable cameras of their own, anyone can go out and take a few good snaps. Head out on a walk, even an urban walking route if you like, and look out for some good photo opportunities along the way.



When you get back home, upload your best ones to Instagram or Pinterest - you might even attract a few fans of your work.

Signing up for a class

Exercising as a group can be great because you've always got someone else there to spur you on. Fitness classes often take place in the local park, so check online to see if there's one near you. You could even opt for a more relaxing start to the year by signing up for a Pilates or meditation class instead.

Keeping fit

Staying active certainly is a popular trend in the early months of the year, so you may be considering heading to the gym more often or going to the park for a jog. However, you'll find that if you take up running with a friend, you'll both feel more encouraged to keep it up throughout the year.



Having a sports watch can help you keep track of the amount of miles you've run or how many calories you've burned, too. This Timex Chronograph watch has an LCD display which ensures that you can see all the required information at once, and thanks to its 50 metre water resistance, you can even take it swimming with you.

 

Whether you fancy sitting on the sofa, watching telly and colouring in, or you'd rather be out stretching your legs, you're sure to discover your perfect hobby in 2016. Be sure to remember that you've always got the option to try your hand at more than one thing - you may even discover a hidden talent or two.