16 Minimalist Hobbies to Try That Don’t Require a Ton of Supplies

At some point, I looked around and realized that I honestly didn’t have any real hobbies beyond happy hour hopping and eating out with my friends. And as much as I love a post-work drink with the girls, I wanted something to invest my time in—something fulfilling that kept me happy and busy. However, trying a hobby can be daunting and costly, so ones that don’t require investing in an expensive gym membership or a mess of new supplies were my starting point.

Minimalist hobbies are perfect for me: they’re low budget, easy to abandon if they’re not the right fit, and don’t require a full Amazon cart of supplies. Whether you’re looking for a new creative outlet, a way to work up a sweat, or something to ground or calm you, these low-effort, minimal-supplies-required hobbies let you dip a toe in without the pressure of a big commitment.

Below, you’ll find minimalist hobbies you can try with little to no supplies—many of which you can easily start today.

1. Get back into reading

Last year, my goal was to read one book a month. At first, this felt daunting. I was averaging only 3-4 books per year, so twelve seemed like a lot. However, I ended up exceeding my goal and making reading a regular habit, all because I got a library card. No more spending $12-$18 for each paperback book! A library card allows you to, of course, check out physical books at your local branch, but you can also create an account with the Libby app, which lets you virtually check out e-books and audiobooks for free. Reducing the cost of this hobby allowed me to read even more books and fall back in love with reading.

2. Start a journal

We all have an old notebook hiding somewhere in the back of a closet or desk. Well, now’s the time to put it to good use! Whether you want to jot down notes about each day, focus on gratitude, or go the stream-of-consciousness route, taking just five minutes (or fifty!) to journal your thoughts can be grounding and reflective.

3. Get your steps in

There’s a reason why walking is such a popular workout. Setting aside time for yourself to jam to your early 2000s pop hits playlist and get some movement in just feels good. Whether you’re on a walking pad at home, on a treadmill at the gym, or just taking a few laps around your neighborhood, walking is a perfect way to turn daily movement into something fun and intentional.

4. Write letters to friends

It’s easy to keep up with loved ones via phone calls, texts, and social media, but there is something special about slowing down and writing an actual letter to a friend. And I don’t know about you, but I miss when snail mail meant something fun, not just a pile of bills. Make someone you care about smile by sending them a handwritten note in the mail. All you need is a card or a sheet of paper, an envelope, and a stamp to connect and make someone’s day.

5. Do Pilates or yoga at home

I love almost everything about Pilates: low-impact, fun music, real results. What I don’t love is the price tag. After cancelling my old membership due to the steep cost, I decided to start Pilates again— at home this time. There are tons of free classes on YouTube (Pilates by Izzy and Jessica Valant are my go-tos) that provide the same satisfying workout without the bill. The other benefit? No one can see how badly my arms shake while attempting to do a push-up.

6. Learn a new language

Broke your Duolingo streak? Si? Oui? This is your sign to redownload the app and start learning again. Learning a new language bit by bit is both fun and mentally stimulating, and it can help you become more immersed in a culture you’re interested in. It can also be super helpful when traveling. Even if you aren’t speaking a new language overnight, learning a few new phrases or vocab words is a great way to exercise your brain.

7. Experiment with cooking new recipes

Trying to save a little money, eat healthier, and get creative in the kitchen? Then cooking is your ideal hobby. This is a great way to experiment with seasonal produce, new cooking techniques, and recipes you’ve been meaning to try. Cooking together with your SO is also a perfect at-home date night activity—cooking is always more fun with a little music and a glass of wine!

8. Draw, sketch, or color

You don’t need to be an artist or invest in fancy art supplies to create something beautiful. All it takes is a pencil and paper, both of which you probably already have at home. No pressure to make a masterpiece out of the gate: this hobby is all about slowing down and tapping into the creative side of your brain. You can freehand sketch items around your home, follow along with a drawing tutorial on YouTube, or pick up a cheap coloring book if you prefer to color inside the lines. This is the kind of perfect, cheap hobby that you can start immediately and enjoy on a cozy afternoon.

9. Start training for a 5k

Need something a little more challenging than a hot-girl walk? How about a marathon? OK, that may be a bit ambitious for a beginner, but a 5K is definitely doable. If you’ve been wanting to get into running, working your way up to a 5K is a realistic goal that doesn’t require too much commitment. Whether you sign up for an actual race or just track your progress with an app, you’ll feel amazing crossing that 5K mark. And who knows? You might just get hooked on that runner’s high.

10. Create vision boards

Putting together a vision board is one of the best ways to manifest a positive and productive year. You can make a vision board for any goal, season, or part of your life. Create a digital one using a platform like Canva and Pinterest, or go old-school by grabbing a few magazines and some scissors to make a physical vision board. The goal is the same: to create a clear, visual reminder of what you want.

11. Try your hand at flower arranging

I love having flowers around the house. They smell nice, look pretty, and add a pop of color to a room. But I will admit that I’m not the best at making bouquets. While I’m probably not going to change careers and become a florist anytime soon, spending the extra time to put together a real floral arrangement is an easy and fun activity. This doesn’t have to break the bank—I plan to head over to Trader Joe’s, pick out a few different types of flowers, and experiment with the vases I already have at home. It’s an inexpensive, creative hobby that can help make your home a little more beautiful. Practice makes perfect (or at least acceptable), and with Trader Joe’s keeping floral prices low, I can work on my skills every week.

12. Practice your baking skills

Baking can be so therapeutic and the perfect activity for a lazy afternoon. Focus on familiar, comforting recipes that use basic pantry ingredients you may already have. Think classic chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins, or an old family recipe. There’s something calming about carefully measuring out and mixing all the ingredients, and then, of course, you’ll end up with a sweet or savory treat to share—or enjoy on your own.

13. Improve your hair and makeup skills

Even though I have no plans for the next few weeks, that doesn’t mean my makeup and hair tools are getting a break. I love getting ready for a night out, but I tend to stick to my usual routine when I have plans for the evening. Although I may want to try something new, I’m worried it won’t turn out, and I won’t have time to fix it before happy hour. So, I’m viewing this quiet month as the perfect time to test out new hairstyles and makeup looks. That vampy lip you’ve been dying to try? Go for it. Trying to figure out the perfect cocktail of hair products? Now is the time to experiment. I’m excited to have some fresh looks and new techniques I can show off.

14. Become a coffee connoisseur

There is nothing better than a delicious cup of coffee. But if you don’t want to venture out for yet another overpriced Starbucks drink, now is the time to become a pro at making your own coffee at home. Trust me: You do not need a fancy espresso machine to make a good cup of coffee. Start by experimenting with whatever brewing method you already use. Try adjusting the brew strength or flavors, milk ratios, or mix-ins to see what you like best. Even small changes can make your daily cup feel elevated (latte art, anyone?). This is the time to hone in on what you love in a coffee, learn how to make it exactly how you like, and make your mornings feel a little more special.

15. Learn how to mix up cocktails

Don’t get me wrong: I adore getting dressed up and ordering a Cosmo at a cute cocktail bar. It truly might be one of my favorite things. But I can confirm that it’s not my wallet’s favorite thing. In order to save some money and finally use the cute glassware collecting dust on my bar cart, I’m resolved to learn how to make a few staple cocktails at home. Mixing up drinks at home can be just as fun as going out to a bar and much more budget-friendly, especially when you use what you already have. Start by experimenting with the basics in your bar cart or liquor cabinet. Many cocktail recipes only call for a couple of inexpensive ingredients, like citrus juices, simple syrup, or Maraschino cherries, which last a long time and can be found at your local grocery store. You might just discover a new go-to drink you never knew you liked.

16. Take yourself on solo dates

While having a significant other is great, it’s also essential to take care of your most important relationship: the one with yourself. For an easy way to romanticize your life, turn everyday outings into something special. Who says you can’t go to the movies by yourself or get a table for one at that restaurant you’ve been dying to try? Solo dates encourage independence and allow you to connect with yourself. You don’t even need to spend a lot of money for a solo date—all you need is the intention to make your activity just a little more special.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Meaghan Moore, Contributing Writer

Meaghan is a Chicago-based writer who covers fashion trends, celebrity style, beauty news, and lifestyle.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant

Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.

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