My Hobbies for 2026: What I’m Bringing Into The New Year

Right, it’s nearly 2026, and I’ve been thinking about what hobbies I want to properly focus on this year. I’m not doing New Year’s resolutions as such – they always feel a bit pressured, and I end up abandoning them by February. But I do want to be intentional about making time for the things I enjoy.

I’ve accumulated quite a few hobbies over the last few years. Some have stuck, some have been a bit on-and-off, and there are a couple I’m planning to finally start properly. So I thought I’d write about all of them – partly to hold myself accountable, and partly because documenting my hobby journey has become a hobby in itself.

Running

I’ve been trying to balance exercise and life for years now, with varying degrees of success. Running is the one form of exercise that’s really stuck with me, though my consistency has been all over the place.

This winter has been different, though. I finally sorted out my winter running wardrobe properly – proper thermal leggings, a decent running jacket, and gloves that actually keep my hands warm. And honestly? It’s made such a difference. I’m not dreading going out in the cold anymore because I know I’ll be comfortable.

The goal is to run 2-3 times a week. Usually, I’d have hibernated by now and not emerged until March. The mental health benefits have been massive too – getting outside in the fresh air, even when it’s freezing, genuinely helps with my mood during the darker months.

For 2026, I want to keep this up. Not necessarily increase the distance or speed (though that would be nice), but just maintain the consistency. Maybe sign up for a 10K in spring so I’ve got something to work towards. We’ll see.

Gardening

Oh, gardening. I absolutely love it, but it’s so seasonal that it’s hard to count it as a year-round hobby. From about March to October, I’m out there constantly, but November through February, there’s not much to do except planning and seed ordering.

I’ve been documenting my garden journey quite a bit – my July garden update and my adventures growing a pumpkin patch were highlights from last year. I’m still learning loads, and every growing season teaches me something new (usually what not to do).

This year I want to be more organised with succession planting. I got loads of lettuce and radishes all at once last year, which was great for about a week, then nothing. I need to be smarter about sowing small amounts regularly rather than everything at once.

I’m also planning to grow more cut flowers. I focused heavily on vegetables last year, but I’d love to have homegrown flowers for the house from June through September. Sweet peas, cosmos, zinnias – all the cheerful, cottage garden stuff.

January and February will be spent planning what to grow, ordering seeds, and starting off things like chillies and tomatoes on the kitchen windowsill. I love this planning phase almost as much as the actual growing.

Houseplants

My houseplant collection has got properly out of hand. I did a plant tour earlier this year, and even I was a bit shocked at how many I’ve accumulated. They’re everywhere – shelves, windowsills, hanging from the ceiling, taking over every available surface.

The thing is, I genuinely love them. Looking after plants is quite meditative, and watching new leaves unfurl never stops being exciting. Plus, they make the house look so much better. Every room feels more alive with plants in it.

I’m not planning to massively expand my collection in 2026 – there’s literally no more room. But I do want to get better at propagation so I can share plants with friends rather than constantly buying new ones. I’ve successfully propagated pothos and tradescantia, but I want to try some trickier ones like monstera and fiddle leaf fig.

I’m also going to properly celebrate UK Houseplant Week in January, which feels like the plant enthusiast equivalent of Christmas. Might treat myself to one really special plant to kick off the year.

Playing Piano

Piano is probably my longest-running consistent hobby. I started lessons in 2019 and fell absolutely in love with it. I did an update after a year of lessons when I was playing at about grade 5 level, and I’ve kept it up since then (with a break when my son was tiny because I had zero time or energy).

I’m not having formal lessons anymore – life with a young child makes regular lesson times tricky – but I’m still playing regularly. I practice most evenings after my son’s in bed. It’s become part of my wind-down routine, and I properly miss it if I don’t play for a few days.

I’ve been working through some Chopin pieces recently, which are challenging but so satisfying when you finally get them. I’m also trying to sight-read better – I tend to learn pieces by ear and muscle memory rather than actually reading the music properly, which is a bad habit I’m trying to break.

For 2026, I want to keep playing regularly and maybe start posting videos on my piano Instagram again. I stopped for a while because I got self-conscious about it, but actually, I find it quite motivating to have something to work towards and share.

I’ve also been thinking about what pieces I want to learn this year. I’ve been decorating my piano for Christmas, which always makes me want to play more festive music, but come January, I fancy tackling something properly challenging. Maybe a Beethoven sonata. We’ll see how ambitious I’m feeling.

Crochet

Right, so crochet is my current obsession. Like, proper hyperfixation territory. I started learning in September, and I’ve barely put my hook down since.

I started with the basics – making squares, learning stitches, that sort of thing. Then I made Halloween granny squares, hats, a headband, a shawl. By November I was making Christmas tree ornaments. Loads of them. I made about 30 different ornaments – little stars, snowflakes, trees. It became a bit of a problem actually. I kept seeing patterns and thinking “ooh, I’ll make that” and before I knew it I had decorations covering every surface.

Currently, I’m working on matching granny square mittens and a hat, which is my first proper wearable set. After that, I want to make more cardigans. I made one in autumn, and I wear it constantly – it’s so cosy, and I love knowing I made it myself.

The brilliant thing about crochet is that it’s so portable. I can do it whilst watching TV, I can take it with me places, and you see progress really quickly. A simple project like a hat can be finished in an evening. It’s quite addictive.

I’ve also discovered that the crochet community online is lovely. So many people share patterns, tips, and their finished projects. It’s really encouraging when you’re learning.

For 2026, I want to tackle some more ambitious projects – maybe a blanket (though they take forever), definitely more cardigans, possibly a jumper if I’m feeling brave. I’d also like to try some amigurumi (the little stuffed toys) because they’re adorable and I think my son would love them.

Reading

This is the hobby I’m worst at maintaining, which is annoying because I love reading. I go through phases of reading loads, then I’ll go weeks without picking up a book.

Part of the problem is I get distracted by other things – scrolling on my phone mostly, which is such a waste of time but somehow more tempting than actually sitting down with a book. I need to be better at putting my phone away in the evenings and reading instead.

I’ve been trying to keep a list of books I want to read so I don’t waste time deciding what to read next. There’s nothing worse than finishing a great book and then spending ages trying to find something equally good, so having a list ready helps.

For 2026, I want to read at least 12 books – one a month feels achievable without being too pressured. I’m not fussed about hitting massive numbers, I just want to get back into regular reading. Bedtime reading rather than phone scrolling is the goal.

I have a massive library of books, time to start using it!

Knitting

So, confession time: I’ve just started learning to knit. Like, literally just started. December 2025. I can do a basic knit stitch, and that’s about it.

I’ve wanted to learn for ages, but crochet came firs,t and I got a bit obsessed with that. But I fancy being able to do both, and knitting creates a different kind of fabric that’s better for some things (jumpers, socks, that sort of thing).

I’m taking it slowly. No grand plans yet. I’m just practising making scarves and getting comfortable with the needles. It feels quite different from crochet – slower, more methodical. I can’t do it whilst watching TV yet because I need to concentrate too much.

The goal for 2026 is just to keep practising and get confident with the basics. Maybe make a simple jumper by the end of the year if I get good enough. We’ll see. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on it and just enjoy the learning process.

Watercolours

Right, this is the one I haven’t actually started yet. I’ve got all the supplies – a watercolour set, paper, brushes, the lot.

I used to do a bit of art at school and quite enjoyed it. I was good at it and did AS-level art, but dropped it at A2 level just because the amount of coursework was a lot, and I wanted to focus on other subjects. Acrylic paint was always my favourite, but I fancy having a go at watercolours because they seem quite relaxing and meditative. Plus, I like the idea of being able to paint cards or create little pictures.

The thing that’s stopped me from starting is the fear of being rubbish at it. Which is daft – of course I’ll be rubbish at first, that’s how learning works. But there’s something about starting something completely new that feels quite vulnerable.

For 2026, my goal is simple: just start. Do some basic tutorials on YouTube, mess about with the paints, and accept that my first attempts will be terrible. I don’t need to be good at it, I just need to have a go and see if I enjoy it.

I’m thinking maybe one afternoon a month dedicated to playing with watercolours. No pressure, no expectations, just seeing what happens. That feels manageable.

Edit: I’ve started learning watercolour now!

Making Time For It All

The obvious question is: how am I supposed to fit all these hobbies in whilst also working, looking after a small child, and doing all the general life admin stuff?

Honestly? I don’t know. I’ll probably have phases where I’m obsessed with one thing and completely neglect the others. That’s fine. I’ve learned to accept that I hyperfixate on things and cycle through interests, and that’s just how my neurodivergent brain works.

But I do want to be intentional about making time for hobbies generally. They’re important for my mental health and wellbeing. They give me something to think about other than work and parenting. They’re how I relax and recharge.

Some of them naturally fit together – I often crochet whilst watching TV in the evening, or read before bed. Running is in the morning before the day properly starts. Piano is evening after my son’s asleep. Gardening is seasonal so it has its own rhythm.

The key is not being too rigid about it. If I’m really into crochet this month and don’t touch the piano, that’s okay. If I go through a phase of reading every evening and don’t run for a couple of weeks, that’s fine too. As long as I’m doing something I enjoy regularly, rather than just collapsing in front of Netflix every evening, I’ll be happy.

Why Hobbies Matter

I’ve written before about brilliant hobbies to do alone, and all of mine definitely fall into that category. They’re solitary activities, which suits me fine. I need that quiet time doing something creative or active.

Hobbies give you:

• Something to look forward to
• A sense of achievement when you finish something
• A break from screens and social media
• Skills you’re constantly developing
• Things to talk about with people beyond just work and family
• Purpose and structure to your free time

Without hobbies, I’d just spend all my free time scrolling on my phone or watching TV. Which is fine occasionally, but it doesn’t leave you feeling refreshed or satisfied in the same way that actually doing something does.

Plus, having multiple hobbies means there’s always something that appeals depending on your mood. Feeling energetic? Go for a run. Want something calm and meditative? Water the plants or practice piano. Fancy being creative? Pick up your crochet hook or finally try those watercolours.

The Plan (Such As It Is)

So here’s what I’m taking into 2026:

Keep going: Running, gardening, houseplants, piano, crochet, reading
Get better at: Knitting (I’ve only just started so lots to learn)
Actually start: Watercolours.

No pressure, no strict schedules, no beating myself up if I don’t do something for a while. Just making time for things I enjoy and seeing where it takes me.

I’ll probably do updates through the year on various hobbies – definitely garden updates as things grow, maybe some crochet project reveals, possibly some plant tours if my collection grows any more (though genuinely where would I put them?).

What are you hoping to do more of in 2026? Have you got hobbies you want to pick back up, or new things you want to try? I’d love to know what everyone else is planning.

Right, I’m off to actually do something hobby-related rather than just writing about it. Think I’ll start with some crochet because I’ve got these mittens to finish and I’m so close to being done. Then maybe a run if I can face the cold. Then we’ll see what the mood takes me.

Here’s to a year of actually making time for the things we enjoy rather than just thinking about doing them. Happy 2026!