Which Hobby Should You Start in 2016?

Expand your passion for capturing the world in an image by embracing the bigger picture. Learn the old school techniques, try out medium and large format cameras - be the next Ansel Adams! This hobby can really change how you see the world and will open you up to new ways to experience it.

You've got an inquisitive mind and a daring heart, so break out of the mold and take up exploring. You can further define it by becoming an urban explorer (scoping out abandoned places or little-known haunts), long distance hiking (finding out what the natural world is hiding), cave exploration (not touring the already explored caves - finding new ones!), or rural exploration (similar to urban, but finding abandoned mansions, ghost towns, etc.).

Genealogy is a hobby the whole family can enjoy - really. It can be done without ever getting up from the computer. The more adventurous could end up traveling the world putting the pieces together in person and seeing where their ancestors lived or meeting their far-flung cousins. Just using the internet and library alone, you might find pictures, diary entries, court cases, and more of your ancestors!

What is ephemera? Specifically, it's anything written or drawn that wasn't meant to be kept, and more generically, it's anything printed that was meant for temporary entertainment. What does it mean to you? A bunch of cool stuff to collect - even comic book collectors might fall into this category. Collect ephemera that you find fascinating. Would you be intrigued reading old letters and postcards? Do you find antique greeting cards funny? Do you have a thing for 'racy' pictures from 100 years ago? What about newspaper articles about strange happenings in the 1800s? If you can see the fun in finding these treasures, ephemera collecting may be for you. Join an ephemera club or go to events. You'll have a blast.

So you need a hobby you can do anytime, anywhere? Knitting is a great choice. If you're feeling unsocial you can do it at home, and if you're in the mood to get out, you can join a knitting club. The great thing about knitting clubs is that there is usually hot tea, hot coffee, and pastries involved. Plus, you have something super cozy when you finish a project. Don't worry - it isn't as hard to learn as it looks and you'll soon be doing it with your eyes closed.

Open up your palate to new experiences this year! Learn all you can about the art of choosing great ingredients and turning them into something special. Homebrew your own meads, beers, or wines. Master the baking of flaky croissants filled with chocolate. Try the weird cheeses in the expensive bin at the grocery store. Become that person that says they only eat walnuts with stilton. Make food and drink an adventure! Now, that's a tasty hobby.