5 Tips for Finding a Shared Hobby

Another busy week is coming to an end. You and your spouse are excited to have a wide-open weekend in front of you. Sure, there are the usual chores to complete, and of course you’re planning on some time to just hang out and relax. This all sounds great, but you can’t help but feel like something is missing… like a shared hobby.

Pursuing hobbies and pastimes that bring you joy helps nurture a healthy sense of independence and fulfillment, which benefits your individual wellbeing. Likewise, sharing a hobby with your partner can enrich the time you spend together, ultimately strengthening your bond. However, finding a shared hobby isn’t always easy, for various reasons. Maybe you have very different preferences and interests, or you’re coming out of a season of life when you didn’t have much free time. Whatever the case, if you’re looking for some practical tips to discover a hobby you can share with your spouse, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Revisit past hobbies.

Do you have pastimes that you stopped doing for one reason or another? See if it still lights a fire in you, and this time include your spouse, too. If you weren’t interested in their hobby previously, have an open mind and give it another chance. You might find your preferences or interests have changed since then. This is a great option for hobbies in which you’ve already invested in nice equipment or supplies. Might as well dig out that old gear and see if it’s something you can both pick up.

2. Explore something completely new.

Try something that neither of you have done before. Whether it’s that trendy sport that everyone and their mother seems to be playing or signing up for the most random community education class you can find, jump in and go for it together. You might both feel completely out of your element, and maybe you’ll leave knowing you never need to try that again. That’s okay! It doesn’t have to be a big commitment – at the very least you’ll get a fun date out of it. Plus, trying new things together sparks the same feel-good endorphins that you experienced when you were first dating.

3. Talk to friends.

What do others in your social circle like to do? Ask them about the hobbies they enjoy doing with their spouses. They might have good tips or must-know information for getting started. You could even plan a double date to try it out. Not only is it an opportunity to invest in friendships, but it’s also a great way to switch up quality time with your spouse.

4. Be spontaneous.

Embracing spontaneity creates opportunities for those unexpectedly enjoyable activities to fall right into your lap. So say yes to that party invitation you’d normally decline, swing into that little antique shop that catches your eye on the drive home, or rent that sporting equipment on vacation. You never know when you might stumble upon your new favorite thing.

5. Teach each other.

You both probably have your own areas of skill, interest, and expertise. Take turns teaching each other and sharing this knowledge with your spouse. Whether it’s getting a lesson in gardening or learning to change a tire, you might be surprised by how much your partner knows about a certain topic. Ask questions. Be an enthusiastic student. Maybe you’ll see sides of each other you don’t usually get to see and discover a new hobby you can share in the process.

Any quality time you spend together is something to appreciate and cherish, but if you’re looking to add some variety to your usual streaming sesh or “hanging out,” a shared hobby is a great option. Remember, sometimes the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination. In this case, exploring and trying new things together can be just as fun and beneficial to your relationship as any pastime you discover.