New Year, New Hobby: 5 Creative Things to Try Out This Year

Time to get those creative juices flowing

The dawn of a fresh year is about welcoming the new as much as it is ridding ourselves of the old. It might sound a little dramatic, we know––but is there really a better time for taking on the challenge of reinventing ourselves?

In the spirit of turning over a new leaf, we’re insistent on picking up a few new hobbies over the course of this year. And no, we aren’t talking about our yearly “resolution” of not shopping (and miserably failing) or hitting the gym in January then conveniently forgetting it exists for the rest of the year. We’re talking about the kind of stuff we can, and more importantly, want to commit to. We’re talking about creative pursuits that can get our artsy juices flowing, the kind that can keep us inspired and excited between the dragging day-to-day.

Up ahead, a few suggestions to get you started.

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Journaling

With so many surveilling eyes, it’s hard to consider social media a safe space anymore. This year, consider dialing back to your elementary or high school days and document your days the old school way: putting pen to paper and writing about them. Only this time, you shouldn’t limit yourself to simply scribbling words on a sheet. Think out of the box. Musician and videographer Tamia Reodica, who has been journaling regularly since high school, shares, “My favorite thing about journaling is the tangibility of it. There’s so much power and possibility with what you can do in a notebook––from simply writing bullet points about your day to making a collage about how you feel.”

Second-per-day Videos

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a degree in film nor much experience to become a videographer. These days, all you really need to produce a video are a discerning eye, a smartphone and a finger to hit the record button with. Looking for a place to start? Try out mobile apps like 1 Second Everyday, a program which––you guessed it––allows you to document one second of footage daily. At the end of the month, compile your footage and say hello to your first short film.

Zine-making

Anyone who says print is dying clearly hasn't stepped into the world of the zine. No, we aren't just talking about your typical glossy fashion and lifestyle mags. These days, zines refer to independently produced mini-magazines, containing all sorts of creative content––from anonymous tell-alls to political comics to poetry. Keep an eye out for zine-making workshops if you've got a story to tell or follow accounts like Studio Soup Zine Library on Instagram for your dose of inspo.

Film Photography

Here's a sentiment up for debate: Photography isn't a talent, but a skill. By that, we mean it's a trade that can be honed with determination and practice. If that isn't enough motivation to pick up your camera and get snapping, perhaps a quick skim and scroll though the nostalgia-inducing posts on Lomomanila will give you that push.

Side-hustling

“Side-hustle at home” was Pinterest's top search trend in 2018. While a rather specific search, these words saw a 690% surge in searches. If anything, this goes to show that making bank isn't limited to the office, the studio or the field. This year, zero in on your talents––whether it's making beats out of a software or curating accessories online––and turn that into a side hustle of your own.

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It's a new chapter, ladies and gents. What hobbies will you be pursuing this year?

Art Alexandra Lara