Photo Courtesy of Wix

It's 2023! Do you have any plans? New Year goals? Just looking for something different to do? It's never to late to try something new, and why not share it with someone else too? If you don't have much time, but want to start a new hobby, here are 5 activity ideas to try in 2023:

1. Painting

Painting was a very trendy activity and art form in 2022. Late artists' paintings were printed onto clothes and sold in big-brand stores, and AI technology took art and design into a whole new era! Maybe you didn't get the chance to try it last year, so why not try now? You don't need to research before you buy products, unless you have a specific painting style in mind, because painting is the biggest form of experimentation; there are no mistakes!

So, find where your local craft store is and pick up some random supplies you like the look of. If you're really unsure, ask the employees for tips and tricks. If you like this activity, platforms like YouTube and Skillshare are great for improving your skills. This is also something you can do with your family, and at the end of the session, you'll have something beautiful to display and admire.

2. Photography

Another popular activity and art form is photography. This is something you can do anywhere and almost anything can become a photo! See a leaf on the street? Snapshot! Husband playing with your son? Cute, snapshot! Think you look amazing? Take a snapshot! All of these are great reminders of the beautiful things in life, and not to mention all of the memories you made!

You don't even have to buy anything because you can use your phone. If you want to improve your skills, the websites mentioned in #1 are the perfect platforms do that. If buying a professional camera, it's better to do research or ask an employee at your local tech store.

3. Exercise and sports

Feel bored at home? Want to do something for the environment by using less gas? Or do something for yourself to boost your happiness and brain function when you can't focus? Many people took to riding their bikes to work during the pandemic, went hiking during the good weather, and exercised with Joe Wicks on YouTube to get their day up and running.

4. Writing

Do you have a spare notebook lying around that's just too pretty to get rid of? A memo-pad on your phone? A laptop with WIFI and access to hundreds of writing platforms online? It's similar to keeping a diary, but instead of writing in first person, why not try writing a short story or a novel? Put your life and your experiences into a book and share it with the world!

5. Bonus: Learn something new

Not specifically an activity, but what came to mind when you read that title? Learning a new language? Taking up an instrument? Trying to recreate your favorite top as a cake, like in all those new Netflix baking shows? Learning something new and doing something new are completely different things, and if you want to improve your practical skills, why not try these things? You can practice these activities with your children, and they'll not only have fun, but also improve their cognitive function as they grow.

Deanna (or "Nana Barratt") is an MA Creative and Media Enterprises graduate from the University of Warwick. She previously studied Popular Music, but decided to take a different career path into writing. She now writes about music, the TV and film industry, and East-Asian culture, and gives student advice and lifestyle tips.