We get more isolated and alone in our 30s. Well, sometimes it’s exactly what we want. But because of work and/or family, we forget to focus on our own growth. Socializing becomes harder. There’s almost no room for movement in the comfort zone at this point. That’s why hobbies are essential for women in their 30s!
You need to jazz it up a bit. You need something just for yourself. It can help you relax and cool off. It can help you mentally grow. You can even turn it into a side hustle and make some money!
This stuff comes easy for some people. Personally, I feel the need to be mentally stimulated continuously, which leads me to try new things. Always! Well, I later learned that it was because I have ADHD but still.
I used to complain about trying a new thing, fixating on it, and then getting bored of it and leaving it for something new. But now that I’m in my late 30s, I’ve realized it’s more difficult to get started than commit to it. So by showing you what’s out there, I hope to convince you to take the first step into taking up your new hobby.
Whether you want to gain new skills, have some fun, need an excuse to meet guys, or just create a new income stream, below is a range of hobbies for women in their 30s to try!
30 Hobbies For Women in Their 30s
1. Shooting
As dangerous as it is inside your house, shooting is extremely cathartic in a shooting range. You don’t have to gear up or anything for this activity! You just show up.
At first glance, shooting might seem like an intense hobby, but it’s also incredibly empowering. It’s an opportunity to feel grounded and confident. Not only do you learn discipline, but you also face your fears head-on, gaining control of both your body and mind.
The best part? The sheer rush of adrenaline will make you feel invincible—and isn’t that exactly what we need in our 30s?
2. Dancing
Dance like no one’s watching, even if you’re a total beginner! In your 30s, you may feel disconnected from that free-spirited person you were in your 20s, but dance gives you the chance to reconnect.
It allows you to release stress, regain flexibility, and even feel confident in your own skin. Plus, it’s a fun way to stay fit while bringing out your inner child!
Dancing offers a release for pent-up stress and energy, helping you reconnect with your body and emotions—all while boosting your mood and confidence. Pick your favorite from a variety of options like tango, ballroom, salsa, and even pole dancing.
3. Horse Riding
Not to ruin it for you or anything, but horse riding’s going to burn your thighs 100 times more than a squat challenge does! And you’re going to love it. Try using the stairs with high heels the day after your first ride! You’ll know what I’m talking about.
Your challenge with horse riding is that you’re going to build a trusting relationship with the horse. Assuming you’re going to be riding the same one in your rides, you’re going to want to be able to trust it.
If that’s you, then great! If not, this is your chance to try and build something. The satisfaction of making a connection of trust will make your efforts worthwhile.
On a side note, taking up horse riding as a hobby can be expensive. There’s the perk of getting to wear that cute gear but keep your budget in mind.
4. Traveling
I know. Duh, right? But there’s something about traveling that we usually overlook. It’s how traveling makes you get off the autopilot and start taking control. 90% of the activities we do daily require only 10% of our attention. And you need to change that!
You can’t walk around the streets of Amsterdam with half your brain shut off! You’ll get hit! Seriously. Bicycles are coming from everywhere! You’re going to have to be alert at all times. That’s how traveling wakes your brain up.
Explore new places or revisit old favorites. Travel—whether local or international—helps you broaden your horizons and rejuvenate your spirit.
5. Playing an Instrument
Learning to play an instrument is constructive in so many ways. It’s a new stimulation for your brain. It’s not momentary, it’s a continuous stimulation. You’re challenging yourself mentally and physically every single time you practice.
As we age, our brain tends to shrink due to the lack of new neural connections. That’s why you need to keep creating new ones. Playing an instrument is a great way to do it.
During the learning process, we create new connections that all add up to our cognitive well-being. We’re visually, aurally, and physically stimulated. We strengthen our memory and practice creativity.
Because of the focus playing an instrument requires in many ways, you’ll be a great multi-tasker. Learning an instrument is exactly like learning a new language, by the way. Music is a language itself after all.
I once took up piano. I literally had zero knowledge or education about it. I just bought a piano and brought it home. All I wanted to do was to be able to play those soundtracks from the movie Amelie.
I learned to play by watching videos on YouTube. In the end, I got what I needed. Then I got bored of it but still, the point is it doesn’t have to be a whole thing. Just get started.
6. Learning a New Language
Much like learning to play a new instrument, the benefits of learning a new language are innumerable. It’s the best brain exercise! Learning a new language is also great for meeting new people.
The number of friends we have in our 30s is much smaller than the number of friends we have in our 20s. So, this should help. You’ll push yourself to socialize with the people in your class, find a new group of friends from the country of the language, and try to learn more about the culture of that country by traveling there.
After I came back from my trip to Italy, I registered for the Italian Cultural Center in my country. I started learning Italian and had access to their parties, which were so fun! I added so many Italian friends into my circle, found an Italian guy, dated him for a while, and got a taste of their cuisine.
So forget Duolingo, go to actual classes! Overall, learning a new language is a fun and enriching hobby that keeps your brain sharp and opens doors to new cultures and experiences.
7. Baking & Cooking
Cooking isn’t just about satisfying your hunger; it’s a form of creativity, self-expression, and even stress relief. When you’re in your 30s, meals become more than just nourishment—they’re moments to relax, experiment, and connect with others.
Plus, mastering new recipes or cuisines can boost your confidence and help you take charge of your health in a fun way. So consider cooking and/or baking as it is a mindful activity that encourages patience and creativity. It’s also an excellent way to eat healthier and bond with loved ones over shared meals.
8. Gardening
This is not as much gardening as it is growing your own food. Gardening sounds more demanding at first as not all of us have access to, well, a garden. I’m talking about growing basic vegetables in a pot.
Start with a very simple, easy-to-grow vegetable. Pick your favorite and you’re good to go. Buy some seeds and watch them turn into something edible. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to eat something that you grow!
Additionally, plants are incredibly expensive if you’re into decorating! But this small-scale gardening will help you keep some greenery around the house.
If you happen to have some spare space, great! Because there’s something incredibly grounding about tending to a garden. Whether you have a small balcony or a backyard, gardening can help you slow down, connect with nature, and witness the beauty of life unfolding before your eyes.
Plus, this hobby offers both physical and mental benefits, including fresh air, vitamin D, and the satisfaction of seeing your hard work come to fruition.
9. Painting & Drawing
Most people think that drawing and painting are talents that you either have or just don’t. It’s actually a skill that can easily be learned and mastered. Check out the video to get started in minutes!
Painting as a hobby is a great tool for emotional growth as it’s basically a way to express yourself. It promotes creativity. If you decide to go beyond Youtube lessons, painting, and drawing are great ways to meet new people and socialize.
It’s also a productive hobby which means you get to produce something at the end and actually have something that you create by yourself.
10. Yoga & Meditation
Yoga sounds as tempting to women in their 30s as it much as it sounds boring to women in their 20s. Because our interests change. We tend to look for peace, and mental and emotional strength as we grow.
Yoga & meditation is the perfect hobby for women in their 30s. At this point, we usually complain about things being either too predictable and boring or uncertain and chaotic.
Either way, with the benefits of yoga and meditation, you’ll be able to create a moment for yourself where you can organize your thoughts. Yoga will also keep you in shape, give you that lean and slim body, and make you learn how to manage your stress.
11. Writing & Blogging
Writing is a way of expression where you’ll be able to find an outlet. It helps improve your communication skills by helping you organize your thoughts.
Having things written down helps you face what’s on your mind, may it be troubling or relieving. It also helps you keep track of your memories. You can keep it for later generations or just read it whenever you feel like walking down memory lane.
Blogging, as digital writing, does the exact same thing. Additionally, you can have other options to utilize your writing. You can turn your blog into a professional blog or self-publish. Ka-ching! If you need some inspo, take a look at our favorite books to read in your 30s.
12. Photography
Photography is among the most popular hobbies for adults. Everyone is a photographer these days, which means you don’t have to carry huge, heavy cameras with you to be able to take pictures. Thanks to our phones, we are already geared up!
Photography as a hobby has much more to it than meets the eye. Trying to capture the perfect angle, you are able to see things most people just overlook. In order to take more pictures, you’ll push yourself to go out more. You’ll push yourself to go places you normally wouldn’t bother to.
If you’re a social media enthusiast, you’ll get to have the perfect, like-worthy feed where you can share your skills. If you enjoy it enough, you can turn it into a side hustle as well. You’ll be unintentionally growing a portfolio that will be useful if you ever decide to make a career out of it.
13. Pottery & Sculpture
“Sculpting is the art of intelligence.” If Picasso says it, then it must be true.
In addition to cultivating creativity, sculpting as a hobby is extremely relaxing. It’s another fun hobby idea where you simply make things. It needs so much focus that you forget about your daily stressors by giving your full attention to what it is that you’re making.
Whether you’re making functional pieces like bowls and mugs or exploring sculptural forms, pottery encourages mindfulness and patience. The act of molding and shaping clay can be incredibly calming and offers a sense of accomplishment once you see your creations come to life.
Similar to most of the other hobbies on this list, sculpting is not exclusive to women in their 30s. Women in their 20s, 40s, even 50s! Join the closest sculpting workshop and create your own Ghost movie moment!
14. Camping
Another cool hobby for women in their 30s should be camping. If you like outdoor adventures and enjoy exploring, camping is the hobby you should take up!
No matter what it is that you’re doing at camping, it becomes extremely enjoyable. You wouldn’t enjoy reading in your room as much as you’d enjoy reading by the fire in the great outdoors.
Camping can also be a group hobby for women where you get to hang out with a bunch of other people who are willing to participate in the adventure as well.
It is also a great hobby for single people if you catch my drift. So if you’re into outdoor adventures, camping is a great way to unplug and reconnect with nature.
Personally, I’m more into glamping, which is basically a modernized version of camping. You’re still in the woods but you have a hot tub in your cabin. So if “roughing it” isn’t your thing, glamping—luxury camping with modern amenities—might be your vibe.
15. Embroidery
Women tend to have mastered the art of shopping by 30. We’ve all bought expensive stuff that we regret buying. We tried buying more items by paying less for each of them. We tried boutique shopping. We’ve seen the methods brands use to “trick” people into buying things they normally wouldn’t.
Most importantly, we’ve seen the effect of simple embroidery on the price of a clothing piece. That’s why embroidery is an interesting hobby to try because you get to jazz up your closet for free!
A single cute little pin on a white shirt can make a huge difference. It’s a creative, low-cost hobby that’s both calming and rewarding. Plus, you can add that personal touch to your clothes, transforming them into something uniquely yours.
16. Sewing & Knitting
These cozy hobbies can be both meditative and practical. Whether you’re knitting a sweater or crocheting a blanket, the rhythmic motions of these crafts can help you relax and reduce stress.
Plus, you’ll end up with beautiful, handmade items that you can cherish or gift to fellow 30-somethings and to loved ones. It’s also a potential side hustle.
17. Mentoring
Most people think that they’ll be happier when they’re at the receiving end of good things. But in fact, helping others and giving back are essential for happiness.
So mentoring students in schools or just helping out the neighborhood kids can be a great hobby for women who want to be happy by giving back. This is an important chance where you can help a young mind make better choices. It’s an opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life.
Volunteering can also help you feel more connected to your community, develop new skills, and gain a deeper sense of purpose. It’s an opportunity to share your talents and contribute to a cause that aligns with your values.
18. Selling
We all have stuff that we no longer use but are too lazy to do something about. Why not get rid of all the clutter and sell that stuff?
Go to your wardrobe and pick the items that you no longer wear. Make sure they’re clean and in relatively good shape. Arrange all those clothes in a way that’s presentable. Take pictures. Start selling online!
It’s a quick and fun way to make money and a great hobby to pick up. Try this every time you’re bored. Who knows? You can turn this into a business as well once you’ve mastered embroidery. This actually helped me pay off some of my credit card bills.
19. Wine Tasting
One of the most fun hobbies for women in their 30s is wine tasting as we’re always looking for an excuse to drink wine. Shoutout to women in their 20s who are still able to handle vodka!
This is also an educational hobby as it involves exploring different wines, learning about the wine-making process, and developing your palate. Wine tasting is never an awkward activity because the participants are almost always buzzed.
You can look up local wine-tasting events or wine stores for a fun activity. Wine, cheese, and great conversation with a friend. What better hobby is there?
20. Decorating
Decorating is certainly one of the most entertaining activities for bored women. It’s highly refreshing to redecorate your surroundings. You can start with things that are already there in the room/house. That way, you don’t have to spend money.
Start small with decorative items, pillows, fun and colorful pillowcases, plants, and even minor furniture. It’s fun to spend time working on your surroundings.
If you want to take it one step further, you can start shopping for cool and uplifting items to brighten up your home. On the flip side, home decor items are not cheap!
But I’ve seen some amazing DIY videos on YouTube that helped me repurpose items in my house and create unique decorations. You can also hit two birds with one stone and take up painting and put those colorful canvas paintings on your wall!
21. Vlogging
Use your social media stories as a jumping-off point and start publishing videos on YouTube. It’s a great platform to gather like-minded people together on your channel.
You can start by picking up a new hobby from this list and share every step of the journey to inspire other people. Here’s your quick road map.
Pick a hobby from the list. Create a blog on the topic. Write about it. Start filming your journey about it. Publish it. Get better at it and make money out of it. How does that sound?
As an alternative, you can try podcasts. In fact, there are amazing podcasts for women in their 30s by women in their 30s! Some people love to talk and some like to listen! Put yourself out there.
22. Theme Party Planning
I think we can all agree that theme parties are the best parties. You can be the person who throws cool parties that bring everybody together. These gatherings are a great way to catch up with people.
You don’t have to spend that much money either! Keep a small crowd so that it doesn’t turn into something costly. You can start with movie nights where people dress up as the main characters. You can also ask people to bring in their own drinks.
And you can even play trivia and turn the party into a game night. You get to take most of the credit for hosting the event while still not spending much by making people contribute.
23. Self Defense
By taking up self-defense lessons as a hobby, you increase your self-discipline and self-awareness. Plus, it’s a great workout! This has great potential for boosting your self-confidence. It’s incredibly empowering.
24. Exploring The City
As much as we want to travel and see the world, we don’t always have the money or the time for it. Instead, you can become a tourist in your hometown and start exploring your city like a tourist.
Once a week or once a month, pick a destination to go to and explore. You can do it as a picnic or you can get cultured by visiting every local museum. Make a list and go over all of them until you make a new list.
Do you know what would make it more fun? Acting as if you’re an actual tourist! This can be a great topic for your vlog. Act as if you’re clueless and ask people for directions. See how they react.
25. Wood & Glass Painting
It’s a great activity to channel your focus and improve your creativity. Making something of your own increases your self-confidence. Additionally, you can make use of your old items by refurbishing them.
Wood has been proven to enhance energy and lower stress levels. So, spending time with wood will be a meditating hobby for women who want to have time to relax and escape daily troubles.
With glass painting, you can redecorate items at home and actually freshen up the area. Glass painting teaches patience, promotes creative growth, and helps relieve stress.
26. Making Cocktails
Learning to make your own fancy drink is probably one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. You’ll save yourself a lot of money! Among the list of hobbies for women in their 30s, this is the one you love the most. Admit it.
Presenting something you did by yourself boosts self-confidence. You can even make your own signature drink. You get to meet new people, make new friends, and find a new crowd to get drunk with. Honestly, this is the coolest hobby. Plus, it’s a great conversation starter for new awkward dates.
27. Coding
Coding is extremely useful for improving cognitive skills. Steve Jobs says that everyone should learn to code because it teaches you how to think. Coding is digital production.
You get to be a producer, instead of a consumer. Plus, you can code your own apps and actually start making money by selling them! It’s a long process. But it’s extremely rewarding.
28. Volunteering
Another way of giving back is volunteering. This is the most spiritual hobby women can take up. Visit local nursing homes or orphanages to offer volunteer work. Spend time with the less fortunate.
You’ll be giving them care and hope which is invaluable. This will make you forget about small things that make you upset on a daily basis. It’ll make you grateful and mindful.
29. Fitness Challanges & Sports
Nobody prepares you for the physical challenges that suddenly come up as you navigate your 30s. Lack of core strength, running out of breath every time you take the stairs, back pain, neck pain, the list goes on. It’s a frustrating realization.
However, it is never too late to take matters into your own hands. While starting to exercise is kind of vague and lacks urgency and structure, setting up goals and preparing yourself for fitness challenges are more goal-oriented and more likely to get you started.
So challenge your body and mind, and set fitness goals by trying out new sports. Whether it’s training for a 5K, taking up rock climbing, or joining a local tennis league, staying active through sports offers a way to keep your body strong and your mind focused.
If that sounds intimidating, start small. Subscribe to YouTube channels dedicated to this type of content. 10-day goals, 30-day challenges, just sign up, and get started!
30. Candle Making
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but candles are expensive! And I honestly don’t know why! Don’t these people know about the discovery of electricity? I know shopping for candle-making kits and trying them yourself sounds expensive at first. But in the long run, you’ll be on the winning side.
You can experiment with different scents, colors, and designs to create your own candles for use at home or as gifts. This hobby also provides an opportunity to explore your senses and create something that brings comfort and ambiance to your space.
Lastly, try collecting. This is something I’ve been personally enjoying lately. Follow online auctions or Julien’s Auctions to buy celebrity memorabilia. It’s an expensive hobby. But at the same time, it makes you save money. $200 on a Neverland’s employee handbook? Well, I’d better stop eating then!
In the end, your 30s are about rediscovering yourself and carving out time for what truly matters. Whether you’re picking up a new hobby for the first time or revisiting something you once loved, these activities can help you live with more intention, balance, and joy. They’re not just ways to pass the time—they’re opportunities to empower yourself, nurture your mind, and explore new sides of who you are.
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