People Who Hardly Have Any Friends Usually Have 9 Cozy Hobbies That Bring Them Joy
Mr.vicpix / Shutterstock Some people are perfectly content to go through life without a big group of friends. They may have social anxiety or just be highly introverted or ambitious and consider other aspects of life more important than friendships.
That can sound incredibly sad to people with lots of close friends who just don't get it, but it really doesn't matter how it sounds to anyone else. People who don't have many friends and are totally fine with it typically fill their time with hobbies that bring them more joy than most people ever could.
Cozy hobbies people without any friends use to bring them joy
1. Cooking for themselves
PeopleImages | Shutterstock.com
When you cook dinner for yourself, it’s truly an act of self-care. If done mindfully, it can serve as an effective means of both emotional regulation and stress reduction. It’s also a creative exercise, where you can express yourself and nourish your body at the same time.
People who may not have a ton of friends to share these meals with still get a lot from cooking as a hobby. Whether it’s playing the main character and hosting a dinner party for themselves or just plating their food in a creative, artistic way, they know how to make the mundane things fun and cozy.
2. Playing an instrument
Playing instruments and making music is incredible for brain health. However, sometimes, the simple art of learning music and playing it at home, even if it’s “bad” to someone, is healing.
When you don’t have friends for a sense of fulfillment and meaning all the time, music and art can truly fill that void. It might seem silly, but it helps us express ourselves, connect with our emotions, and build a sense of purpose that doesn’t require anyone else’s focus or attention.
3. Going on solo dates
Going out to do things like seeing a new movie alone or trying out the new restaurant in town can be a great solo hobby. Just because you don’t have many friends or someone special to go out with doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go do things that you enjoy.
Even if it seems intimidating, nobody is looking at or judging you to the same extent you might overthink. In fact, some people might even be jealous of you, admiring how comfortable you are spending time in your own company and enjoying your presence.
4. Gardening or taking care of house plants
Taking care of another living thing is powerful. When you plant a garden or trim and water your house plants, you’re not only creating a more beautiful space for yourself, but you're also giving yourself a purpose. The same nurturing energy you’re giving to them is what you’re calling in for yourself.
That’s why taking care of plants at home is such a great hobby for someone who doesn’t have a lot of friends. They still get to feel a mutually beneficial connection, even if it’s with a different kind of living thing.
5. Curating your personal vibe and style
PeopleImages | Shutterstock.com
Working toward manifesting your dream life is an imaginative hobby that brings a lot of comfort. It’s a reminder that nothing stays the same forever and the dreams that you have in your mind can actually change something about your own life.
By using Pinterest to collect curated aesthetic options or saying affirmations in front of the mirror, just the hope that you’ll have a different life or a more beautiful routine someday by doing some form of this is a great way to spend your time. Building a vision board, whether online or on actual posterboard, is a powerful way to reflect on what you want to prioritize and focus on for your future.
6. Reading
Reading can be the coziest hobby for someone without a lot of friends. Not only does it connect you with yourself, but it boosts all kinds of empathy by reminding you of someone else’s perspective and connecting you to their world.
IAM Lab Communications Specialist Richard Sima notes that "mentally transporting ourselves away from our physical surroundings can provide an escape or opportunity for meaningful contemplation."
When you become immersed in another world, it can fill part of the void someone without friends or community might grapple with daily.
7. Going to public lectures and museums
Going out and enjoying art at your favorite museum or gathering new information at a lecture doesn’t have to be something you do only with other people. In fact, being comfortable enough in your own skin to appreciate these kinds of activities on your own is a superpower.
You don’t even have to speak to anyone. You can just connect with the art or learn something new. You might meet someone new or connect with a stranger, or you might feel closer to yourself with a great painting in front of you and your favorite music playing in your headphones.
8. Watching comfort movies
DimaBerlin | Shutterstock.com
Yes, having friends over and talking to people is a great way to connect, but sometimes, watching your favorite kinds of movies on your own can provide a similar vibe. When the characters feel like people that you know or help you understand parts of who you are even a little bit better, it can be quite uplifting.
Psychologist and researcher Ryan M. Niemiec explains that "When we observe a character using a strength ... it inspires a range of feelings and a sense of empathy with and connection to the character. This can lead us to take positive action in our own lives."
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
