I used to spend my spare time scrolling through my phone, mindlessly watching short videos or scrolling social media, and by the end of the day, I’d feel even more tired and empty. Between work, chores, and endless to-dos, I thought I had no time for hobbies—let alone something that could “heal” me. I’d hear people talk about their hobbies, like painting, reading, or gardening, and I’d think, “I don’t have hours to spend on that.” It wasn’t until I hit a wall—feeling burnt out, stressed, and disconnected from myself—that I realized: hobbies don’t have to take up hours of your day. You can cultivate a meaningful, healing hobby using the tiny bits of spare time we all have—10 minutes here, 15 minutes there. This is my honest story of how I used spare time to pick up hobbies that calm me down, bring me joy, and help me recharge—no big time commitment, no expensive supplies, just simple, intentional moments that make a big difference. It’s for anyone who’s busy, stressed, or feels like they don’t have “enough time” to do something for themselves.
Let’s start with the biggest myth I used to believe: hobbies have to be time-consuming and complicated. I thought if I couldn’t spend 2 hours a day on a hobby, it wasn’t worth doing. But that’s completely untrue. The best healing hobbies are the ones you can fit into your daily routine, using the spare time you already have—waiting for the bus, during your lunch break, before bed, or even while boiling water for tea. For example, I started with reading—something I’d always wanted to do but never “had time” for. Instead of trying to read a whole chapter every night, I started reading 10 pages before bed. That’s it—10 pages, which takes about 15 minutes. At first, it felt like nothing, but over time, those 15 minutes added up. I finished my first book in a month, and more importantly, those 15 minutes became a calm, quiet moment for myself—no work, no phone, no distractions. It was a small escape, but it healed me in ways I didn’t expect. Hobbies don’t have to be grand; they just have to be yours, and they just have to fit into your life.
My first real healing hobby was bullet journaling—not the fancy, artistic kind you see on social media, but a simple, messy one that I do for myself. I used to feel overwhelmed by my to-do list and my thoughts, and I needed a way to organize them without adding more stress. I bought a cheap notebook (less than $5) and a basic pen, and I started spending 10 minutes every morning jotting down my goals for the day, a few things I’m grateful for, and any worries that were on my mind. I didn’t care about making it look pretty—I just wrote. It became a form of therapy: putting my thoughts on paper helped me let go of stress, focus on the present, and start my day with a clear mind. I do it while I drink my morning coffee, so it doesn’t take extra time out of my day. The best part? It’s cheap, it’s simple, and it’s completely flexible. If I’m in a hurry, I write 3 sentences; if I have a little more time, I write a bit more. It’s not about perfection—it’s about the process, and the calm it brings me.
Another hobby I picked up using spare time: hand lettering. I’m not good at it—far from it—but that’s the point. I started with a cheap set of markers (less than $8) and a piece of scrap paper, and I spend 5–10 minutes every evening practicing simple words: “calm,” “joy,” “breath.” I don’t do it to become an expert; I do it because it forces me to slow down. When I’m lettering, I have to focus on the shape of each letter, the pressure of the marker, and the movement of my hand—there’s no room for worrying about work or chores. It’s a form of mindfulness, and it’s incredibly healing. I do it while watching TV (during commercial breaks) or while waiting for my dinner to cook. It’s a tiny moment of focus, but it helps me decompress after a long day. The best part is that I don’t have to feel guilty if I miss a day—this hobby is for me, not for anyone else, and there are no rules.
Let’s talk about how to find the right hobby for you—one that truly heals you. The key is to pick something that brings you joy, not something you think you “should” do. Ask yourself: what did you love doing as a kid? What makes you lose track of time? What makes you feel calm, happy, or creative? For me, it was writing and drawing—simple things I loved as a kid but stopped doing because I thought they were “unproductive.” For you, it might be something else: gardening (even a small potted plant on your windowsill), listening to and learning about music, cooking simple recipes, or even collecting small things like pressed flowers. The goal isn’t to be good at it; it’s to enjoy the process. Don’t pick a hobby because it’s trendy or because your friends do it—pick something that feels like a hug for your soul.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was making time for my hobbies—but I quickly realized that “making time” is a myth. Instead, I started finding time in the moments I already had. Here are the small pockets of time I use for my hobbies, which you can steal too: 1) While waiting for the bus or train: I read a few pages of my book or practice hand lettering on a small notebook. 2) During my lunch break: I spend 10 minutes journaling or listening to a short podcast about something I love. 3) Before bed: 15 minutes of reading or lettering to wind down. 4) While cooking or doing chores: I listen to audiobooks or music that brings me joy. 5) Even 5 minutes while boiling water for coffee or tea: I jot down a quick note in my journal or practice a few lettering strokes. These moments are tiny, but they add up, and they give me something to look forward to every day.
Let’s debunk another myth: hobbies have to be expensive. I’ve spent less than $20 on all my hobby supplies combined. My journal was $5, my markers were $8, and my books are either borrowed from the library or bought secondhand (for $2–$3 each). You don’t need fancy supplies to enjoy a hobby. For example, if you want to start gardening, you can use a plastic bottle as a pot and buy cheap seeds from a dollar store. If you want to start reading, borrow books from the library or use a free e-reader app. If you want to start drawing, use a pencil and a piece of scrap paper. The value of a hobby isn’t in the supplies—it’s in the joy and healing it brings you. Don’t let the cost stop you from trying something new.
Another important thing: don’t put pressure on yourself. I used to get frustrated if I missed a day of journaling or lettering, like I was “failing” at my hobby. But hobbies are supposed to be fun, not stressful. If you’re having a busy day and don’t have time for your hobby, it’s okay. If you try a hobby and don’t like it, it’s okay—just try something else. The goal is to nurture yourself, not to check a box. I’ve tried a few hobbies that didn’t stick—like painting and knitting—but that’s part of the process. Each time, I learned a little more about what brings me joy, and eventually, I found the ones that fit. Be kind to yourself, and let your hobby be a source of comfort, not pressure.
Cultivating a hobby with spare time has changed my life in small but meaningful ways. It’s given me a break from the chaos of daily life, a way to connect with myself, and a source of joy that doesn’t depend on anyone else. On days when I’m stressed or tired, those 10–15 minutes of journaling or lettering feel like a reset. They remind me that I’m more than my to-do list, more than my work—and that I deserve to do something just because it makes me happy. It’s not about being productive; it’s about being present. In a world that’s always pushing us to do more, be more, a simple hobby can be a form of rebellion—choosing to slow down and take care of yourself.
I used to think I was too busy for hobbies, but now I know that’s just an excuse. We all have spare time—we just have to choose how to use it. Instead of scrolling through your phone when you have 5 minutes, try doing something that feeds your soul. It doesn’t have to be big, it doesn’t have to be perfect, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. It just has to be something that makes you feel calm, happy, or alive. Whether it’s reading, journaling, lettering, gardening, or something else entirely, a hobby is a gift you give yourself.
If you’re feeling stressed, burnt out, or disconnected from yourself, I encourage you to pick one small hobby and start today. Don’t wait for “more time”—use the time you have. Start with 5–10 minutes a day, and see how it makes you feel. Over time, you’ll look forward to those moments, and they’ll become a non-negotiable part of your routine. Remember, a hobby isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s a way to heal, to recharge, and to remember what it feels like to do something just for you. You deserve that calm, that joy, that connection—and it’s all within your reach, one small moment at a time.