As we enter the colder part of the year and the days grow shorter, it can be easy to lose your motivation to do anything.  After all, there is a warm, cozy blanket on the couch, and all those new Netflix shows are not going to watch themselves.  And although I believe we all deserve a little cocooning in the colder months, it’s easy to gradually lose motivation, slip into inertia, and find ourselves relying on New Year's resolutions to get back on track.  So, rather than heed the siren song of the couch potato, why not try the following three indoor hobbies to stay on course?  (I even have a bonus one for you!)

Cooking

I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that we all have to eat to live; however, cooking is a good way to keep your mind active and keep you out of bed.  Plus, cooking in winter has the added advantage of warming the house, which we usually want to avoid in the warmer months.  Even better, since we tend to wear more layers in winter, it’s easier to hide the consequences of our indulgence. 

 “But I can’t cook!” “I’m the kind of person who burns water!” you might say. “What do I do then?”  I don’t have money to waste on ingredients!”  I personally think that everyone can cook, and that the people who can’t actually think so because they failed once in the past and were ridiculed for it, or were discouraged by others before they even tried.  If you look online, you’ll see that there are quite a few channels and accounts dedicated to children cooking.  If they can, why can’t you?  “But they have help!” I hear you counter.  Well, so can you!  Food is much better when shared, so invite a friend over and have a little cookout.  The goal here is not to make a Michelin-starred restaurant dish, but to enjoy yourself and keep your mind engaged.  I remember a time my sister and I tried making salad rolls.  We overcooked the vermicelli, ending up with something akin to a brick.  We laughed so much.  This must have been at least 12 years ago, and I still remember it like it was yesterday!

Tips & Tricks

• Find a recipe that suits your level.

• Use what you have; don’t spend a ton of money on expensive kitchen tools.

• Remember that baking is a science and cooking is an art.  You can improvise with the former, but doing so with the latter is a recipe for disaster.

• Share.  Invite your friends to cook and/or eat with you.  If you bake something, share it with your neighbours or your coworkers.  You don’t have to eat it all.

• Avoid recipes from social media (unless you trust the source): they’re often fake or impossible to reproduce.

• Laugh at your failures; share your successes.

Reading

Reading is definitely a great way to keep your mind engaged while you’re stuck inside for the winter.  It also has the advantage of being something you can do from the comfort of the couch or the bed (unless that leads you to falling asleep; then maybe the kitchen table is more appropriate…) Some studies (including this one) have proven that reading is much more likely to stimulate your brain than simply consuming content online or otherwise, and with such a variety of content available, everyone is sure to find something that will interest them.

“But I don’t like reading!”  you protest. I will concede that not everyone has the attention span to read these days; however, there is an easy solution for people like you: audiobooks! These have the advantage of allowing you to “read” while doing manual tasks that don’t require your full attention.

Whatever format you choose, reading also pairs nicely with a nice cup of coffee or tea at your favourite coffee shop.  I think there is something very comforting about enjoying a book in a public space.  Plus, if it means the bed or couch won’t tempt you, it’s a win-win situation.

Before you protest that books—paper, electronic or otherwise— are expensive and that you’re “not made of money”, let me remind you that libraries have tons of free books available.  Many of them even have apps like Libby, which allow you to borrow electronic books and audiobooks from the comfort of your home.

Tips & Tricks

• Don’t fall for the hype; read what you want.  You read for your own pleasure, not others’ approval.

• Mangas and comics count!  Blog posts (as long as they don’t mean you’ll be doomscrolling the moment you’re done reading) count! Reading is reading.

• Ask your friends for recommendations.  Create a book club.  Create a silent book club!

• Don’t finish books you hate.  This is me giving you permission to give up on books that kill your soul.

Make something

Maybe you’ve noticed that the two hobbies I listed above have something in common (and I don’t mean the fact that they can be done concurrently).  Reading and cooking can both lead to a feeling of accomplishment, of having “done” something.  Our brains release dopamine when we complete something, so that’s why finishing a book or nailing a recipe feels great. However, even though scrolling on our phones can provide temporary relief from stress or a momentary joy, “finishing the internet” is impossible, which is why we don’t feel satisfied or refreshed when we emerge after 4 hours on social media.  So that is why the next hobby I’d like to introduce is “making something” as a general concept.

This might sound a little vague, but I can’t say “paint a picture” or “build a model plane” because these would apply only to a few people.  These days, unless you have a physical job, you probably end up spending a lot of time in your mind, which can be exhausting in its own way.  It can be very calming and almost meditative to use your hands to build or improve something.  Thinking back on your childhood, try to remember if there is something you used to enjoy doing but gave up because it wasn’t "adult" enough or wouldn’t lead to a career.  Once you find it, try to rekindle that flame.  It might not lead anywhere, but you won’t know unless you try.  (You might even be able to listen to an audiobook while you work!)

Tips & Tricks

• Don’t buy expensive hobby goods.  Start with what you have, go to a second-hand shop or try to find what you need on Facebook Marketplace.

• Don’t aim for perfection.  You can experience a great sense of accomplishment even with an imperfect result.

• Don’t try to monetize the hobby.  This is the easiest way to make you hate it.

• Find friends to share the hobby with!  Start a craft night!  It can be as simple as getting your friends over for drinks while you colour in colouring books.

• Involve your kids.  I guarantee you they will remember those moments fondly in the future.

• Try different things and stop when whatever you’re making no longer brings you joy.

• Be patient.  Enjoy the process.

BONUS - Go for a Walk

I know this isn't in keeping with the theme, but once in a while, even if it’s a little chilly, try going outside for a walk.  You don’t have to go far; just step out the door.  You could listen to an audiobook while you do, but I would recommend against it.  As we go about our daily lives, we rarely have time to take in the world around us.  As you walk, keep your eyes off the ground so you can notice how your neighbourhood has changed, take mental notes of the new restaurants you’d like to try, and smile or nod at people whose eyes meet yours.  And if it’s snowing, extend your hand and watch the flurries melt in your palm.