Shadowing Practice: LIFE-CHANGING HOBBIES TO GET INTO IN 2025 ✨creative, fun, & productive - Learn English Speaking with Video

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We've all been here scrolling for hours mindlessly and suddenly you realize, I feel like I'm rotting.

Let's change that.

So if you're ready to make the most of your life and actually enjoy your free time, here are 50 hobbies to make life more fun and exciting and to make you a cooler and more interesting person.

we all hear about how important it is to be in

the present how the only moment we're guaranteed is the current moment

and yet i feel like we still constantly fall into the trap of wasting our time doing things

that don't really matter and don't bring us joy i checked my average screen time this morning

and it was quite humbling let me just say on tiktok alone i spend two

and a half hours a day that's a problem so

if you're in a similar boat don't worry we're in this together

but wouldn't you like to be able to say to someone

when they ask you what your hobbies are ah yeah i

actually have been learning to sew i've been taking pottery classes i'm part of a reading club

and i do jujitsu in my free time rather than i don't really have any i yeah i'm not sure

so this is the year you start actually doing the cool

creative hobbies you say you're gonna do rather than just watching everyone else do them, thinking about doing them but not actually starting, we're getting serious.

I've broken down these 50 hobbies into five categories to make

this digestible for you to really cover all the bases so you don't feel overwhelmed.

We have creative hobbies, wellness and fitness hobbies, mindful slash intellectual hobbies, social hobbies,

and money-making hobbies, which like what could be better?

Let's start off with the creative hobbies, my personal favorite because these are so fun.

By the way, you don't have to be perfect at a hobby to like doing it.

You can just do it because you want to try something new

and the fun part of a hobby is

that there's no pressure Like it can just be for fun first up drawing

and sketching if you have no idea where to start I always find cute little things on pinterest

and I actually have a board of drawing inspo And

if i'm in the mood to draw and I don't know what to draw, I just pick something on there next painting This is one of my favorites, but I don't do it often enough There are

so many different mediums to paint with

and types of paint you can use you can do watercolor There are even sparkly watercolor paints

that I honestly want to get like for this summer You

can do acrylic paints for this I love finding something on pinterest

that inspires me or even just finding like a photo

and kind of painting it next photography There's actually a lot

to learn about photography a lot more than you might think

in terms of the framing of photos The settings of your camera You can do it on your phone

or an actual camera if you want

and you can get into all different types of photography If you really like shooting on film, that's super cool You can watch youtube videos

or do like skillshare courses to learn about it writing I

feel like many of us think of writing as not something

you would do for fun Like something you had to do

when you were in school But I think

if you kind of shift your mindset on writing can be

really fun You could try creating your own short stories

or even writing poetry and another form of writing

that you could do on a less High pressure basis is just journaling videography.

You can film anything you want You can make cinematic videos of nature

or of trips that you go on you can vlog like you're a youtuber Even

if you're not especially

when combined with learning how to edit videos You really can put your own personal creative touch into this

and it's so fulfilling fashion design I think there's

so many fun things you can do with this

But maybe it could be upcycling old clothes

that you have like taking an old pair of jeans

and turning it into a purse Or it could be thrifting

and like thrift flipping your clothes adding little details like ribbons

or rhinestones or sequins to make the clothing super fun

or even designing your own clothes from scratch and making them

which is definitely a lot that's a lot bigger of a deal

but if that's of interest to you I totally think it's worth exploring.

This is going to be a broad one but I'm just going to say DIY crafts.

You can make your own bookmarks.

I've seen like scrapbook picture frames where you scrapbook a cute little page

and put it into a frame and you can use it as a piece of room decor.

Even things like painting your own hairbrushes and just scrapbooking in general.

Pottery or ceramics.

This is one that I want to get more into.

I've really been wanting to take a pottery class

but this could even be like making air dry clay things like making little trays out of air dry clay

and painting them in the comfort of your own home

and knitting or crocheting i'm also even going to say sewing in here pick a route

that you want to go at least to start i know

for me i'm definitely drawn to sewing the most i would

love to be able to literally make my own clothes there

are super cute patterns you can buy online there's tons of videos online to help you learn.

And lastly for the creative hobbies, making jewelry.

This can be so simple and straightforward.

I feel like it's not as complicated as people might think.

Go to the craft store.

You can get some elastic string, tie a knot at the end, find some cute beads you like and string them on, tie it together and bam, you have like a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace.

This could be making charm bracelets.

I have a few hobby videos from last summer on my channel where I do different DIYs like that.

Next, we're going to talk about wellness, movement, and fitness hobbies.

Even though you might think of this as something you have to do

or it doesn't seem fun to work out I actually think

that it truly can be and if you don't feel

that way Maybe you just haven't found the right thing for you yet First up yoga

if you want to get into something

that will simultaneously calm your mind cultivate peace inside of you and Stretch your body and build strength.

This is great for you Yoga is amazing to do in classes

or just at home My favorite yoga videos to watch are from move with nicole

and boho beautiful yoga and pilates a personal favorite of mine.

I love how Pilates truly sculpts and tones your body.

And then there's also dancing.

I think this one would be really fun to take some actual classes, like maybe go take some ballet classes, take some salsa dancing classes, take some hip-hop classes.

Not only is this super fun and I feel like it nourishes your inner child, but it's also a great place to make friends, especially as an adult and hiking.

If you live in a place where there are forests nearby, There are national parks nearby.

There are mountains nearby.

Get out there and go see them.

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If you have somewhere with cool waterfall hikes, with lagoons to hike to, I mean, the possibilities are endless.

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Get out there.

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Go see those parks.

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Do some hikes and cycling.

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You could get really good at biking, either road biking or mountain biking, or just casually take bike rides in your free time.

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I feel like this is something that we stop doing as we get older, but it's truly so fun.

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And weightlifting or powerlifting.

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I used to only do pilates, but through the past six months or so I've been doing half weightlifting

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and half pilates and it has been game-changing I am stronger than i've ever been.

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I feel amazing.

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We also have stretching.

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Maybe you want to get your splits Maybe you want to

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improve your leg extensions Maybe you want to be able to

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touch your toes Incorporating a daily stretch practice is such a great way to improve your mobility flexibility

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and also have some mindfulness time rock climbing This is a really cool one that I want to try.

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You could go to one of the rock climbing gyms indoors If you feel comfortable if you're like, oh my gosh, this is

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so much fun I'm amazing at this you could eventually start doing outdoor rock climbing swimming

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so low impact on the body But a great way to get cardio

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and to exercise You could go to a rec center near

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you swim in your own pool in the summer swim in the ocean bonus points If you live somewhere warm, i'm gonna say surfing I didn't add that onto this list

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because I don't live anywhere near where that would be a thing

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But I absolutely would surf if I lived somewhere where I could and boxing

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when I was growing up like in middle school Boxing was

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a huge thing like kickboxing specifically I think it would be really cool to take some boxing

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or kickboxing classes now We're on to the mindful

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and intellectual hobbies These are hobbies

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that are essentially going to create a better you self-development type

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things They're things you can do in your free time

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that will actually make you smarter make you more intelligent Make you a better speaker make you more confident first up.

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We have journaling.

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I talk about this all the time So

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if you watch me you will have heard me say this

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but there are so many types of journaling You could do gratitude journaling bullet journaling, which that's a whole thing in and of itself

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That could be a whole hobby on its own creating different cool page layouts.

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There's so much inspo for that on pinterest It could also be doing journal prompts

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and deep reflections or brain dumps

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If you don't know where to start honestly just go to pinterest Look something up

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and try out a few different types of journaling until you find one that you really love.

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Reading.

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I read more last year than I have read in my whole life.

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I used to think that reading was boring.

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There was no way I was going to be interested in it, but I realized it's not.

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It's actually tons of fun, and I have learned so much through reading.

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Pick books that are appealing to you, that are interesting to you.

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This could be self-improvement books.

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There are a plethora of them out there.

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I know I love reading because as I'm reading them, I'm learning so much about myself, about how to make my life better, but it's also really fun to just indulge in fun fiction stories,

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listening to podcasts or audiobooks.

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Podcasts are a great way to learn something

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or kind of feel like you're doing something productive when you want to consume media.

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I have a podcast, if you want to check it out, called Glow and Tell that is all about self-development, but there are so many types of podcasts out there, and again, if you're not super into reading at first,

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trying out audiobooks could be a great way to kind of ease into it.

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Gardening or starting to get into house plants.

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If you're one of those people who are like, oh my gosh, I kill every plant I touch, break that mindset out of you.

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You totally can learn to take good care of plants and it's so rewarding having them in your space.

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But also maybe this is the time to start a garden outside if you want to.

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Stargazing or moon watching.

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Now this might seem kind of weird, but I took an astronomy class in college and it was just so mind-boggling.

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There were things that I had no idea about.

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If you just get outside sometimes and look at the stars, maybe even, this is crazy, but like get a telescope.

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There is so much to see out there.

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You can make a hobby out of learning the constellations, observing the moon phases, just taking in space. And coloring.

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This is one of my favorite hobbies because it's so low stakes, so low effort.

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Buy yourself a cute coloring book.

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There are so many cute ones on Amazon that I've bought.

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Bobby Goods has the cutest coloring books as well

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and a good set of markers or colored pencils those two things

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and you have hours hours and hours of hobby time

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and this is going to sound weird but networking this is something

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that occurred to me because i know

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when i was in college i would always see these events coming up

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that the university would put on where there'd just be a

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speaker i would always be like why would i want to go to

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that like it's not like i'm getting a grade for

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that it's not like i'm getting credit

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and even as i've gotten older i've seen on like linkedin there's just virtual webinars about a certain topic.

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I mean, they're going on all the time, even just in your local community.

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There are probably events like that that you might not even know about.

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I think I've really started to recognize the power of networking, of knowing different people, how you can basically help each other get to where you want to go, and learning a new language.

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I feel like everyone wants to learn a new language, but not everyone actually tries to.

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So if there's a language you're like, you know what, that would be really cool to know.

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Download Duolingo and start going at it.

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Additionally, taking online courses or like getting certifications in things.

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So if you've been wanting to get into one of these hobbies I mentioned

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or if there's a specific certification in your field of study, field of work that would actually give you a leg up, take a course in that.

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And lastly, learning an instrument.

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I think people that can play instruments are so cool.

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I love playing the piano.

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I also recently picked up my flute again that I used to play in middle school and girl, I've still got it to an extent.

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It's so cool to be able to play an instrument

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and the coordination that it takes with your mind and your hands is unmatched.

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Onto these social hobbies.

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Social connection is a huge part of who we are as humans.

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Even us introverts, we need social time as well.

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First, workout classes.

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One of my favorites because if you're at a workout class, the people there are also probably into that type of workout that you're doing.

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Being in the class itself is a great setting for social time, but maybe afterwards, if you meet someone there, you can like go get a smoothie with them after and it can turn into a friendship.

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Next, join a book club.

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You can actually look up online like book clubs in your area, but there are also virtual book clubs

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So there's no excuse can also be like a dual hobby

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because it gets you reading more and it helps you have

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that social interaction and Crafting workshops I know craft stores do these type of craft workshops, but other places do them as well

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and joining a sports team This can totally be just a recreational thing Like

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if you haven't played soccer since you were a kid

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and you miss it and you kind of just want to get out there have fun

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and play soccer like do it and volunteering there are

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so many options for volunteering locally i personally love neighborhood cleanups

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and environmental help kind of random

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but i feel like it's a great feeling to know

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that you're helping out your community

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and visiting a farmer's market i feel like there's always such a communal feeling at a farmer's market it's

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so local and lively

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and hosting any type of party i feel like the majority

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of people actually love going to themed dinners themed events

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but a lot of times we just don't take the time to like make it happen

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so if you're the one who initiates and actually makes it happen

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that would be so cool and if you want a social hobby like this

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but you don't feel comfortable enough to do any of these things yet

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or you just don't want to a great option for you could be having a pen pal

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and this could even just be writing to a friend

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but like actually writing letters and sending them in the mail it's

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so cute and you could even make like a little care package of tiny cute things

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and like mail it to each other once a month.

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And lastly, make recurrent plans with friends.

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This could be like a weekly hangout where you go for hot girl walks together

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or like a monthly meetup where you do a mini book club together or you go to dinner together.

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Something that's like a standing thing so that it actually happens and you have something to look forward to.

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And lastly, be money-making hobbies.

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The first great option is making digital products.

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So this could be like digital planners, digital invitations.

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It means that you don't have to create the physical product you just design post it on like etsy

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and once you make the product you're done second is digital art

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and graphic design this could be a hobby you get into

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and eventually turn into a way that you make money like doing it freelance

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and also youtube

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or content creation now let me just tell you this can make you money for sure

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but do not do it if that's the only reason you want to do it

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because it takes time it takes a lot of time

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and a lot of work but

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if you're like you know what i want to be a

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youtuber i've been wanting to do this forever get into it now there's never a better time than right now.

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And photography can be something that makes you money by either doing portraits for people, doing photo shoots for people, even taking stock photos and uploading them.

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Like that's a really cool one you might not even think of.

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If you already love taking photos and you take good photos, uploading them to stock websites can make you passive income.

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Next, baking.

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Okay, this can be one that's just a for fun hobby for sure.

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But if you're like good at baking or you get good at it over time, you could sell your baked goods locally.

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You could start an online business for them, which would be really cool.

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And starting a blog or newsletter.

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So if you want to make some sort of content, but you don't want it to be videos like YouTube, blogs could be a great option.

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You could make a recipe blog, a fitness blog, a blog that just follows your life.

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And you could flip furniture or clothes and sell them.

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So if you have like an old dresser and you do a lot of work, stain it, get it looking all good and like listed on Facebook marketplace.

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But I will say be ethical with this.

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Like don't go to a thrift store and buy something for $2

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and sell it for a hundred and candle making or soap making.

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If you buy the products for this and you find like a cool way to make your own take on it, this could be a great product to sell.

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It could be selling handmade jewelry, clothes, anything like that.

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So if you're really good at making jewelry or you make really cool custom handcrafted things, that's a great way to turn your skills into a moneymaker.

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And lastly, we have freelance.

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Freelance goes into so many different things.

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Thumbnail making, freelance, social media management, freelance marketing.

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There are sites like Upwork where you can go and people who need freelancers can find you.

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That was a lot.

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Hopefully you don't feel overwhelmed.

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There are honestly so many more hobbies I could give you, but I feel like we've got a great start here.

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I challenge you to pick at least one of these hobbies and today actually take some steps towards getting that hobby going.

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Good luck.

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You've got this.

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Comment this emoji if you watched all the way up until the end of the video

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and maybe share this with a friend who needs to get off their phone a little bit more

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and could benefit from some hobbies.

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Thank you so much for watching.

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Don't forget to like this video and subscribe and I will see you in my next video.

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Bye guys.

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100 sentences

Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson

This video has 274 sentences and 3595 words to shadow. The speech runs for 15:43. The speaker talks fast, about 229 words per minute, so expect linked and reduced sounds. 83% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English; the rest is worth studying before you start.

Key vocabulary in this video

15 less common words from the video, with pronunciation and meaning:

hobby /ˈhɑ.bi/ (noun) — An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time.
lastly /ˈlæstli/ (adverb) — Used to mark the beginning of the last in a list of items or propositions.
freelance /ˈfɹiˌlæns/ (adjective) — Of or relating to a freelance; without a long-term employment contract.
photography /fəˈtɑ.ɡɹə.fi/ (noun) — The art and technology of producing images on photosensitive surfaces, and its digital counterpart.
craft /ˈkɹæft/ (noun) — Ability, skillfulness, especially skill in making plans and carrying them into execution; dexterity in managing affairs, adroitness, practical cunning…
yoga /ˈjoʊ.ɡə/ (noun) — Any of several Hindu or Buddhist disciplines aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquillity; especially a system…
podcast /ˈpɑdˌkæst/ (noun) — A program, especially an audio program, produced on a regular basis, delivered over the Internet in a compressed digital format and designed for playback on…
hike /haɪk/ (noun) — A long walk, usually for pleasure or exercise.
fitness /ˈfɪt.nəs/ (noun) — The condition of being fit, suitable or appropriate.
stretch /stɹɛt͡ʃ/ (verb) — To lengthen by pulling.
instrument /ˈɪnstɹəmənt/ (noun) — A device used to produce music.
climb /ˈklaɪ̯m/ (verb) — To traverse a slope or contour, either upwards (ascending) or downwards (descending).
swim /swɪm/ (verb) — To move through the water, without touching the bottom; to propel oneself in water by natural means.
workout /ˈwɝk.aʊ̯t/ (noun) — An exercise session; a period of physical exercise.
bake /beɪk/ (verb) — To cook (something) in an oven (for someone).

Phrasal verbs you will hear

get into (verb) — To move into (an object), such that one ends up inside it.
get out (verb) — To leave or escape.
do in (verb) — To kill or end; to defeat.
go at (verb) — To try to solve a problem a specific way; to undertake a task.
go on /ˈɡoʊˌɒn/ (verb) — To continue in extent.
talk about (verb) — Used to draw attention to the speaker's characterization of someone or something.
turn into (verb) — To become.
break down (verb) — To stop functioning.

Pronunciation to watch

The speaker uses 81 contractions and reduced forms, such as don't, you're, I'm. Say them the short way, as you hear them.

The “th” sounds: clothing /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/, ethical /ˈɛθɪkəl/, thrift /ˈθɹɪft/
The “sh” and “zh” sounds: inspiration /ˌɪn.spɪˈɹeɪ.ʃən/, workshop /ˈwɝk.ʃɑp/, certification /ˌsɜː.tɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/, gosh /ɡɑːʃ/, extension /ɪkˈstɛnʃən/
Long words — get the stress right: photography /fəˈtɑ.ɡɹə.fi/, inspiration /ˌɪn.spɪˈɹeɪ.ʃən/, intellectual /ˌɪntəˈlɛkt͡ʃʊəl/, certification /ˌsɜː.tɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/, complicated /ˈkɑm.plɪˌkeɪ.tɪd/

How to practise with this video

Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
Start at 0.75× speed, shadow it sentence by sentence, then go back to normal speed once it feels easy.
Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like hobby, lastly, freelance.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Present perfect continuous have/has been + -ing — an action that started earlier and is still going on	have been learning · I've really been wanting · I've been doing
“Used to” used to + verb — a past habit or state that is no longer true	used to only · used to think · used to play
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	I've broken · I've seen · haven't found
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing	people who are · one who initiates · people who need

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →

Shadowing Practice: LIFE-CHANGING HOBBIES TO GET INTO IN 2025 ✨creative, fun, & productive - Learn English Speaking with Video

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