Girl, You Need A Hobby
Finding a hobby that actually feels chic and fulfilling
Dear friend,
Let me ask you something, and be honest with yourself: do you have a hobby? Not scrolling TikTok, not binge-watching Netflix, not online shopping at 11 o’clock at night. I mean an actual hobby. Something that lights you up, makes you lose track of time, and feels like it’s yours.
Because here’s what I notice a lot of us fall into: wake up, work your 9–5, come home, maybe make dinner, watch TV, scroll your phone, go to bed, repeat. And yes, you’re busy. You’re functioning. You’re going through life. But when someone asks “So what do you do for fun?” do you kind of freeze? Do you laugh it off because you don’t really have an answer?
If that’s you, you’re not alone. But it’s also a little bit of a wake-up call. You deserve something outside of your job, your relationships, and your responsibilities. Something that makes you excited just for the sake of being excited.
That’s the beauty of hobbies.
Why Having a Hobby Matters
Having a hobby isn’t just something fun to fill your time. It genuinely changes how you feel, how your brain works, and even how others see you.
New skills build new neural pathways, keeping you sharper and more focused over time.
Your nervous system calms down.
You get into a state of flow where you’re so immersed in what you’re doing that you lose track of time.
A hobby also gives you a sense of identity outside of work or relationships, something that belongs to you.
You begin noticing more beauty in ordinary moments, thinking in new ways, and feeling more inspired by the world around you.
You become more magnetic. Because a woman with passions? She’s interesting. She’s captivating. She has something of her own.
When was the last time you did something just because it was fun? Hobbies remind you what that feels like. It connects you with your inner child.
Bottom line: hobbies aren’t just a way to “stay busy.” They’re one of the best ways to glow up your mind, mood, and energy.
Chic Hobby Ideas for Chic Women
If you’re sitting there thinking, okay, but what hobby should I even try? Then you’re in luck because today I’m sharing a list of chic ideas that are fun, creative, and actually doable:
Embroidery – I just started up embroidery myself. If you’re a lover of personalization and monogramming, this one is for you. It’s slow and soothing, plus, you end up with the prettiest little heirloom pieces for your home (or my favourite, to give as gifts).
Wine Tasting / Sommelier Course – I’m not talking about just “drinking wine” but actually learning about wine regions, grapes, tasting notes, and pairings. Imagine being the one at dinner who can confidently pick the bottle and share valuable information about the wine. You’ll be the most interesting person there (just make sure not do it in a snobby way because that’s not cute).
Pottery – This one is on my list to try. Hands in clay, creating something you can actually use. Imagine drinking coffee out of a mug you made yourself?
Floral Arranging – This is more than tossing flowers in a vase. With floral arranging you learn about proportions, colour stories, which vase size to use and all about seasonal florals. My own floral arrangements have gotten so much better since taking a class. And if you like to host dinner parties, this one comes in handy.
Calligraphy – This is maybe the definition of an elegant hobby. It comes in handy in so many scenarios, from journaling to invitations, it makes even the smallest notes feel special, chic and elegant.
Cooking or Baking Classes – Think French pastry, Italian pasta, or sushi-making. I absolutely love baking but one of my goals is to learn how to make the perfect macarons and croissants. It’s calming and you get to eat the results.
Tennis or Golf – These are sports with style, the epitome of women who leisure, if you will. Sports like these are social, athletic, timeless, and honestly, the outfits alone are motivation.
Photography – Photography is such a beautiful hobby because it teaches you to actually see light and composition, not just take a picture. I’ve been using my Canon G7X for all of my photos lately, especially when travelling, and it has made me look at my images like little pieces of art instead of just snapshots. You can learn on your own, take an online course, or join an in-person class if you want more hands-on learning.
Learning an Instrument – I envy people who know how to play an instrument. I played piano when I was younger but probably couldn’t play much now. But why not pick it up again? You can totally learn a new instrument as an adult — why not? Piano, violin, guitar, recorder (just kidding, no one wants to hear Hot Cross Buns on a recorder ever again), but really, whatever calls to you.
Horseback Riding – This one is on my personal list, it’s both elegant and athletic. The equestrian aesthetic is endlessly chic and spending time with a horse is calming in a way that feels very grounding and freeing. It is a beautiful mix of physical skill and connection with the animal.
Learning a New Language – While there are so many apps you can use to learn a language, there is nothing more immersive than taking in-person language classes. Learning a language opens up opportunities to expand your culture, travel, and unlock new ways of thinking. Just imagine ordering flawlessly in French while dining in Paris.
Interior Decorating – Making your house feel like a beautiful home is a very useful skill. You can take a course or just start practicing and learning online via TikTok, Pinterest or Masterclass. You can learn about colour palettes, textures, and layouts that make your home feel beautiful and personal.
Dance - I always wished I had taken dance as a child, but it doesn’t have to be something you “missed out on.” You can absolutely start as an adult. Some beautiful styles I’d love to try (and you can too) are adult ballet, ballroom, and contemporary.
Art Collecting & Gallery Hopping – Start small and simply learn what you’re drawn to. Over time you develop an eye for style, history, and composition. It’s cultural, inspiring, and a beautiful way to surround yourself with pieces that tell a story.
Fashion Sketching – This is a beautiful hobby if you love style and creativity, even if you aren’t a designer. It teaches you to slow down, observe detail, and connect more deeply with your personal style. Even if you never create a garment, you learn to see clothing as art, not just a purchase.
If you prefer to start at home, there are so many beautiful resources available now. I love Masterclass because you learn directly from people who are true experts in their craft, and there is genuinely something for every interest.
But there is a different kind of pleasure in going somewhere in person. The atmosphere, the ritual of showing up, the energy of learning beside others… it feels special in a way you cannot replicate through a screen. And you might meet someone who shares the same interest as you, which is often how the loveliest friendships begin.
Your hobby doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be yours. You don’t need to monetize it, post it on Instagram, or be the best in the class. It’s not about achievement or productivity, it’s about joy. It’s about giving yourself a little corner of life that’s just for fun, curiosity, and creativity.
And when someone asks you, “What do you do for fun?” you’ll finally have an answer that lights you up from the inside.
Bisous,
Gabrielle
P.S. If you want more ideas for hobbies, crafts, activities to try, let me know in the comments and I can do a part 2.
I am 45 and recently divorced. In managing the aftershock, my therapist effectively told me I need to "get a life." I responded, I have had a life. I've been a wife for 15 years and a mother for 6. She said, nooo, a life for yourself detached from responsibility for others. I looked at her like she had boogers on her face. She continued: do something that makes you feel proud and is a source of joy. So, I launched my Substack account. I love preparing articles, learning how to create photo collages on Canva via YouTube. I became a Fora Travel Advisor and am orchestrating a trip for a 72-year-old woman taking a luxury cruise liner down the Rhine in search of tulips in Holland. I started cooking and entertaining again - I slow roasted 20 lbs of pork shoulder for my birthday two weeks ago. I have rediscovered a love for the gym and lifting heavy. In the spring, I plan to start tennis lessons. And your marvelous article has me keen to explore stitchwork and wine classes. Brava and thank you for sharing!
Lovely list, Gabrielle! One of my favourite little hobbies: doing the Saturday morning crossword from the newspaper. Pen and paper, no screens, just half an hour of quiet focus. It’s such a simple thing, but I love it. It’s relaxing and feels like a gentle way to start the weekend.