Hobbies are great outlets for creativity. They let us express ourselves individually and help us feel productive and relaxed at the same time. If you’re thinking about picking up a new hobby this fall, here are some options for you to consider - some for rainy days, and others for bright and sunny ones.

1. Knitting

Fall weather can be iffy, so for the rainy or windy days, knitting can help fill your time on the porch or curled up on the couch for a movie, both accompanied by your favorite hot beverage. Contrary to popular belief, knitting isn’t overly complicated, nor does it require any special innate skills. If you love it, you’ll find yourself grabbing your knitting needles every season and making cozy gifts for loved ones.

2. Writing

Humans have a natural desire to make sense of what’s around them, but writing can also tap into your ‘inner world’ and help you make sense of your thoughts, ideas, and emotions. It’s also just a great thing to do on a chilly or rainy day. One of the ways that writing helps us to consolidate and organize what is going on in our heads is by associating a sense of flow with jumbled thoughts that can be hard to piece together at times.

Journaling is an excellent way to create closure at the end of the day, but why stop there? Writing your life story, poetry - or even a novel - aren’t out of the question, especially with online self-publishing companies being available today.

3. Photography

Fall is the perfect time to pick up photography. Maybe even try your hand at a ‘real’ 35mm camera, where you can experiment more with the shutter speed and aperture, as well as get a different look than with digital photography. This is a great hobby for preserving memories and can be worked into other hobbies, such as scrapbooking and writing.

4. Plant and Flower Pressing

Fall color isn’t the only provider of botanical beauty in the autumn months. Many wildflowers bloom in the fall, and even their seed heads are often great for pressing. Some ornamental trees also bloom in the fall, and plants offer countless interesting forms and textures. The best way to start this hobby is to acquire a plant press (or make one), read up on how to press and dry botanical samples, and use your creations in other hobbies, like candle making or scrapbooking.  

5. Hiking

Starting out your hiking adventure is a simple endeavor. Remember that trails vary in overall difficulty, as well as in topographical changes, so pick wisely as you get your bearings. You can search online for hiking or nature trails near you. There are typically trails that are free to walk, but a state park pass can be a good investment if you have a couple of parks fairly close.

In the beginning, choose shorter trails ranked ‘easy’ or ‘moderate’, and consider elevation changes that might challenge you. You can advance to overnight hiking trips that include primitive camping. This is a peaceful thing to do with a companion but can also be fun as a group.

6. A Nifty Hobby for All Seasons

Whether it’s fall, winter, spring, or summer, knowing how to pick locks will come in handy if you find yourself in a sticky situation. Dropped your house keys under a pile of leaves or snow? No need to wait out in the cold for help. You can pick the lock to let yourself inside your warm home. 

Learning how pick locks can be incredibly enjoyable, challenging, and rewarding. It also doesn’t take a lot of preparation to get started. You only need to purchase a set of basic lockpicks, some practice locks (never practice on your door locks), and a comprehensive lockpicking guidebook. There are lots of free resources on the internet for learning lockpicking, as well. 

Mastering the different lockpicking tools and techniques takes a lot of practice, but it can feel extremely satisfying every time you conquer one.