Introduction
If you’re an introvert then you’re quite likely to enjoy things that provide quality over quantity, or at least offer a higher degree of substance.
That doesn’t always mean shutting yourself away to focus on the task at hand, or even ignoring people to get things done.
Introverts prefer hobbies that provide value within their close relationships and activities that increase their amount of time well-spent.
We’re going to be putting an emphasis on giving you a selection of hobbies that mesh well with your personality traits and can even level up your personal time by meeting all the quality-focused criteria that you seek when investing energy in something.
Invest in Your Future: 27 Substantial Hobbies That Introverts Love
1. Worldbuilding
Worldbuilding is an introverts dream when it comes using your imagination, creativity, and skilful execution to create something substantial.
J.R.R. Tolkien is perhaps one of the most famous worldbuilders and spent years creating the world of Middle-Earth, it’s inhabitants, and even the languages they spoke including the lettering.
You don’t even have to build worlds for any particular purpose other than for your own enjoyment and to see how deep you can go with societal structuring.
You can jot down all your ideas in a notepad but some people like to use their abilities to bring the world to life by creating dioramas, sketching out landscapes, and even modelling out creature designs.
If you’re looking to go really deep with something then worldbuilding is the only option as it’s basically limitless.
2. Photography
Photography is great for introverts because it gets you out and about without really needing to interact with people if you don’t want to.
You’ll utilize your skills to immortalize moments in time that can provide the viewer with visual context, imagination, and even abstract lines of thinking that aren’t really possible with textual information.
Not only that but you have thousands of options to enhance or edit your imagery through camera hardware or by using digital manipulation software such as Adobe Photoshop.
This means even if your original picture isn’t perfect, you’ll be able to work on it to your heart’s content giving you hours of quality-time alone.
3. Astronomy
Astronomy is a wonderful hobby that enhances your understanding of the stars, and even how the universe works from a mechanical point of view.
You can turn what would have been a very bland evening sitting on the couch into one that leaves you wondering about the possibilities of life and what the future entails for the human race.
Will we ever live on other planets? Will we ever meet another intelligent species? Astronomy gives you not just beautiful observations to look at but can also provoke mind-expanding thoughts and points of view.
Better yet, you can cozy up with your best friend or even sit out by yourself on a beautiful starry evening with hot cocoa or a cup of joe and turn it into an event.
4. Blogging
Blogging is a fantastic hobby for introverts because you can literally talk to millions of people without ever having to go through the awkward process of meeting them face to face.
In truth, introverts usually enjoy interacting with other people but it needs to be in a setting that feels comfortable or familiar.
Blogging is basically your safe space where you can talk about things you love with other like-minded readers; you can even monetize your ideas if you get a big enough following meaning it could become a dream job where you work from home.
Some of the most popular blog topics include fitness, food, and fashion but in truth, you can talk about basically anything you want.
If you’re not sure where to start with this hobby then we recommend going with WordPress as it means you won’t have to buy or code a website yourself.
5. Tabletop Games
Tabletop games are great if you want some quality time with your family or close friends where you don’t have to get dressed up or make too much of a fuss.
As well as that, there are literally hundreds of thousands of tabletop games on the market meaning you’ll not be stuck for choice but could become stuck with too much choice.
This isn’t a bad thing though as it means you can pick the games that best suit your interests; if you’re a nerd then you can go for a fantasy game, or if you’re more traditional then you can opt for a classic like Cluedo.
There’s nothing better than opening a fresh board game and getting invested in all the rules or pieces that you need to learn with some snacks on the go.
6. Cookery
Good communication skills are essential in a kitchen but cooking at home means you can go deep and craft some beautiful dishes for yourself or your family without any stress at all.
There are thousands of different recipes and cuisine types out there meaning you’ll never be stuck for choice when wanting to cook something new and exciting.
Want something fresh and healthy? Try Mediterranean. Exotic? Then maybe Caribbean food will be a better choice.
You can dedicate your time to skilling up a chosen niche cuisine type or can opt for broader categories such as savory food or desserts.
If you get good enough then you can even combine your cuisine making skills with writing for your own blog where you’ll be able to take pictures and include the necessary steps to mimic what you’ve made.
7. Collecting
Collecting is the quintessential hobby and one that can be specialized in a variety of things such as collecting stamps or coins.
In fact, depending on your finances, you can even collect vintage cars or other expensive items like watches.
The main purpose of collecting is to scratch your completionism itch and so you can make all your friends jealous with your impressive display of rare items.
As a hobby, collecting is something that can take years, or even a lifetime, meaning you’ll have plenty to watch out for or follow as your collection expands.
8. Reading
Where would us introverts be without reading? Well, we’d definitely be less informed and probably quite antsy to find something that engages us.
Thankfully, reading does exist and comes in a myriad of formats such as books, audiobooks, and e-books.
There are hundreds of categories to wet your appetite ranging from gothic fantasy, classic fantasy, political thriller, action, historical, and even educational topics that teach you about the world around you.
In fact, when you think about it, reading is your key to the world to help you open doors that you never knew existed.
Better yet, this can all be done from the comfort of your own home or bedroom where you can tuck yourself away all cozy for an afternoon of deep reading.
9. Diorama Creation
Dioramas are beautiful 3D works of art that often depict historical battles or machines that were used during wartime which can help convey the intensity of a situation or how deadly warfare is.
With that said, you don’t always have to go down the route of creating factual or wartime dioramas; some people prefer to create fantasy dioramas where you can make beautiful landscapes that fall host to exotic creatures such as dragons.
You’ll do everything from creating the buildings, the topography, and even what kind of foliage would be growing in your diorama.
You’ll also need to paint the majority of your landscape or creatures as the kits don’t always come with fully assembled pieces.
For an introvert, this means more quality time sealed away working on something that you can love or show to others when you’re complete.
10. Survival
If you’ve seen the movie Castaway and thought you’d like that to be you then you’ll really love the idea of becoming a survivalist or learning the skills needed to live on your own in the wilderness.
In fact, there’s nothing more cathartic than imagining just you and the lonely outdoors whereby you have a small retreat sealed away in the forest with a fire going to keep you warm.
The great thing about survival is that you’ll need to learn a variety of hobbies such as foraging, basic construction, and even hunting.
It’s quite a broad hobby that can get you in touch with our primordial past as humans which is something not easily done without experiencing it for yourself.
We recommend watching the movie Into the Wild which is a true story based on a chap called Christopher McCandless who left his rich middle-class lifestyle behind for everything the natural outdoors had to offer.
11. Music Production
Music production is something we’ve talked about before regarding it’s status as a hobby and some of the aspects involved with it.
If you have basic music knowledge and the ability to get creative then you’ll love music production as it allows you to express your emotions without saying anything.
Better yet, you’ll be able to work on your music tracks alone in solace and once you’re done you can either keep them for personal listening or upload them on YouTube to monetize your creations.
You don’t need much either apart from a laptop with a semi-decent processor and some good studio headphones for monitoring rogue frequencies for when you’re doing your EQ.
You’ll also need a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) but most are relatively cheap considering the amount of time you’ll spend on this hobby; check out our article link above for further info.
12. Coding/Software Programming
Coding is the hobby of the new age and is something that is becoming far more prevalent in a society that depends on automation or machinery to do our jobs for us.
We dare say that by learning to code now, you’re putting yourself ahead of the curve against a future of redundancies in industries that can’t adapt with the times.
As an introvert, you’ll love coding as it requires you to do deep problem-solving which can sometimes only be solved by using your imagination or putting yourself in hypothetical scenarios.
Since you prefer to isolate yourself from too much distraction this means coding is the perfect hobby/job where you can get some much needed and productive quality time alone.
Best of all, coding can be learned without paying a penny through services like Codecademy.
13. Graphic Design
If you like big ideas and bold marketing without the face to face aspect then graphic design is a great hobby for you.
As a hobby, you’ll be able to manipulate imagery into beautiful abstract pieces that can be used as wallpapers or backgrounds for posters, however, you’ll also be able introduce your own slogans that will catch eyes at a glance.
It’s easy to assume that there are thousands of people out there who know how to use Photoshop but we can assure you there’s a low number who’s actually good at it.
In a way, digital imaging software is basically like a painter’s paintbrush; there are innumerable possibilities to what you can create and the only limiting factor is your imagination.
14. Homebrewing
If you often crack into a bottle of wine in the evening then why not enhance that experience by making your own wine or your own alcoholic beverages by becoming a homebrewer?
You can go wild with your brews and can even add your own favorite fruit juices to make the experience even more personal.
You don’t need to be a genius to get started and that’s because there are a ton of ready-made homebrew kits that include all the necessities to get you started.
Homebrews also make excellent gifts for family members or friends at Christmas time when you can’t think of anything else to buy them so it kills two birds with one stone.
15. Gaming (Video Games)
Ah, gaming — Where would we nerds be without this comforting pastime that lets us live out our craziest fantasies in far off worlds of monsters and magic.
It’s easy to understand why gaming is so popular for otherwise solitary personalities, and that’s because they don’t necessarily want zero social contact, quite the contrary, they actually want social contact but on their terms and without judgement.
In fact, it’s one of the most popular hobbies across the world these days and no longer relegated to world of 30 year old virgin men living in their moms basement; P.S. we love you too basement virgins <3.
It’s extremely accessible and that means you can game on a wide variety of platforms ranging from PC, MAC, games consoles, and even on your smartphone (that thing in your pocket that’s become an extra body part). So, what are you waiting for?
16. Hiking
If you’re a loner or only like interacting with a select few people then hiking is a great hobby as it means you can let your mind wander or even engage with people on a more personal level.
Our world has many fantastic places to act as your backdrop for your hike including coastlines, mountains, vast forests, and even arid deserts.
Better yet, aside from travel costs (if there are any), it’s one of the cheapest hobbies on this list making it really efficient for basically anyone to get involved with.
As a side benefit, you’ll also be able to hit your daily step goals or calories burned meaning it can keep you fit without even giving it too much thought.
17. Origami
If you like the idea of creating interesting shapes and objects from a relatively cost-effective material then Origami is a great choice.
In case you didn’t know, origami is the art of paper folding whereby you can create a wide-range of decorative, ornamental, and even fun geometrical shapes that will keep you occupied for hours.
In fact, origami has even taught our scientists at NASA about design efficiency meaning the majority of satellites are now made with less moving parts and a more optimized structure.
Lastly, origami can be done anywhere you want with whoever you want around you meaning it’s quite versatile for your introverted needs.
18. Meditation
Sometimes being an introvert means you have too much time alone with your own thoughts which can actually be bothersome on occasion.
With this in mind, we recommend everybody give meditation a go as it will allow you to free up your mental clutter and help to keep you calm from worry.
Essentially, meditation is about isolating one particular thought or focusing on one thing; that one thing can be absolutely nothing at all, however, we recommend starting with focusing on your breathing as it’s easier to not lose track.
Studies also show and conclude that meditation can offer a range of physiological health benefits which is further proof of this being an excellent hobby to add to your repertoire.
19. Music (Instrumental)
Playing an instrument is one of the quintessential introvert hobbies that allows you to flex your creativity and can also tame your need to voice your emotions to someone else.
In fact, playing a musical instrument is an excellent form of meditation as you’ll mainly focus intensely on what you’re doing in an almost trance-like state.
It’s also been shown in studies that people who learn to play an instrument from an early age benefit from better overall brain development including a higher IQ.
Science aside, it’s just an awesome hobby and one that’s really fun as it allows you to produce something totally original that no one’s ever heard before.
20. Crochet
Crochet is a type of hobby, similar to knitting, that requires you to weave material in a certain way to create various garments such as hats or gloves.
In fact, if you get good enough you can even multitask or watch TV while you’re performing your crochet movements.
Most people agree that crochet is quite a relaxing hobby meaning you don’t have to focus too intensely on what you’re doing.
The end result is that you get to make some cool functional items that can be gifted or worn by various members of your family and even your friends.
21. Stretching
If you’re an introvert, chances are that you’re spending a good deal of time sat down in a chair or in front of a computer screen.
It really doesn’t hurt to add stretching to your list of functional hobbies that we consider essential for good living.
In fact, we already know that stretching can improve your range of motion meaning you’ll not suffer from tightness or pains as much as someone who doesn’t engage in this pastime.
You don’t even need to go too wild to see the benefits of stretching and just 15 minutes a day can really help free up the tightness around your body.
22. Woodworking
Woodworking is another rather solitary hobby that involves spending lots of time sanding, cutting, gluing, and clamping various bits of wood to make functional objects such as furniture or decorative items.
We’ve talked about it extensively including why it’s such a good hobby and it’s something that often comes up on a few of our lists due to how versatile it is.
For example, not only is it great for introverts but it can actually help you solve problems around the home and can get you experienced with practical mathematics.
You’ll also be able to build yourself a cool as heck workshop for you to retreat to during those pensive moments and who doesn’t want that?!
23. Streaming (TV & Movies)
Look, we never said this was going to be a productive list of hobbies and streaming some of your favorite shows is an amazing way to spend your day when you need to chill out.
To answer the question, watching TV is definitely a hobby and we believe it’s one that is gaining far more credence among skeptics as something that can actually inspire creativity or be useful.
Better yet, as an introvert you don’t need to even get out of bed to enjoy this hobby as you’ll be able to access all the latest streaming platforms right from your phone.
With that said, don’t forget to do your daily meditation and stretching routine to keep yourself even keel.
24. Writing Letters
We could have included something like creative writing here but we specifically wanted to mention writing letters as a beautiful hobby that can let you share your true thoughts with those you care for.
In fact, can you even remember the last time you received a letter?
We bet it was a long time ago, however, we reckon you can probably remember the situation quite well because of the emotional impact it left on you.
Sending letters used to be the only good way to stay in touch with people but now it’s been lost to the world of instant messaging instead.
It’s very hard to have a good conversation anymore because you can literally fire and forget whatever you want to say at people in about 2 seconds flat.
By writing letters, you can specifically dedicate some time to really brightening someone’s day with a thoughtful message that conveys exactly how you feel and what’s on your mind.
25. Birdwatching
If you want to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of nature then there’s no better hobby for introverts than birdwatching.
There’s many birdwatching spots across the world but you can even do it in your own backyard if you know what to look for.
There’s plenty of great books and videos on YouTube about birdwatching meaning you can learn what’s native to your local area.
Once you get good you’ll be able to recognize a bird just from the song it makes without even needing to spot it which we think is a cool ability to have.
You can make an excellent day out of birdwatching by preparing a packed lunch and a fresh lemonade to sip on while you spend your hours watching nature do its thing.
26. Gardening
If you prefer to get more hands-on with nature then gardening is a great hobby and it’s one that doesn’t involve having to interact with tons of people either.
You can have your own dedicated space in your backyard and depending on whether you have your own soil or not you’ll be able to grow beautiful flowers too.
Even if you don’t have a patch of soil you can still fill out garden boxes to produce an array of flowers or even nutritious herbs for you to munch on.
It does require year round attention so if you do decide to start gardening then you’ll have to be pro-active and have a routine in place to care for your plants.
27. Journaling
Most people imagine journaling as the edgy pastime of angsty teens, however, many people report feeling relieved to write down their thoughts and feelings from the day which can also help you observe unhealthy patterns of thinking.
Essentially then, you’ll write down whatever you’re doing through the day but you can also use this to construct a more efficient schedule for the week by trimming the areas where you’re doing unproductive things.
Famous ultra-marathon runner, retired NAVY Seal, and otherwise motivational speaker David Goggins calls this process “trimming the fat” whereby he swears it will give you a more regimented routine to help you hit your goals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we’ve listed some of the best introvert hobbies we can think of that will help you make the most of your aversive nature and will get you using your strengths to give you more things to do.
As we’ve demonstrated, being an introvert doesn’t mean you avoid all social contact but it does mean you prefer to have a grasp on the rules of your engagement.
There are many things you can do and these are just a taster of the best — We’ve constructed a huge list of hobbies for you to browse that includes many of the things on this list and more.
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