Three Hobbies to Keep You Busy this Winter

🗓️ February 13, 2026

✍🏾 Zoe Bowden

Bored indoors and tired of doomscrolling? Are the cold days and winter scaries keeping you inside? Do you feel like hiding under the covers until spring arrives? You’re not alone. I, along with many others, have been struggling to find motivation during these freezing months. 

To help get through the winter slump, I’ve started exploring a few new (and old) hobbies to keep myself busy and grounded. Here are four hobbies I’m trying this winter to stay sane until the weather warms up. 

Poetry

This winter, I’ve been trying to get back into writing. In high school, I spent hours writing poetry, and I’ve even taken a few poetry classes since then. For me, poetry has always been a way to process my emotions and reflect on what I’m feeling. 

If you’re not sure where to start, finding a topic can feel overwhelming. Try using simple prompts to spark ideas. For example, write about the way winter feels, a memory tied to the cold, or even what “spring” symbolizes to you. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. 

I’ve also found that creating a cozy writing routine helps with motivation. Writing in a journal you love can make the habit feel more intentional and exciting. I recently visited Jenni Bick Custom Journals and designed a personalized journal with my name on it. It’s been the perfect way to motivate myself and fully commit to this hobby. 

Puzzles

On days when I don’t feel creative, puzzles have been my go-to. Well, one 1,000-piece puzzle that I am still struggling to finish. Who knew puzzles could be so hard. There’s something super calming about sitting with my hot oat milk latte and slowly (and I mean slowly) watching the image come together piece by piece. Unlike scrolling through Tik Tok, puzzles force you to slow down, be strategic, and focus. 

Due to the slow nature of my progress, I have learned that puzzles are less about finishing quickly and more about enjoying the process. However, if I were to start over, I would choose a much smaller puzzle to get into it. I am currently working on Food Fight by Salem Goods. She offers smaller, less difficult puzzles as well. It’s a quiet hobby, but it keeps your brain engaged and gives you a small sense of accomplishment every time you snap a piece into place. 

Learning the Ukulele

Finally, I started teaching myself how to play the Ukulele. I wanted an instrument that is lighthearted, fun, and not intimidating, and the Ukulele is exactly that. It is small, approachable, and easier to pick up than you might think.  

I started by playing old Twenty-One Pilots songs. Many of them have very few chords making them easy to learn. I follow a website called UkuTabs, which breaks the lyrics down by chord making the song easy to follow. Even playing for 10–15 minutes a day feels productive. Music has a way of changing my mood, and the thought of being able to create my own comforts me. Plus, it is an indoor activity that keeps me warm from the cold! 

Like any new skill, progress may feel slow at first, but practice truly makes perfect. By the time it hits Spring, you’ll have a few songs under your belt to impress your friends.  

Winter can feel long and isolating, but filling your time with small, intentional hobbies can make the season feel purposeful instead of draining. You don’t need to master anything, just try something new! Sometimes staying busy is less about productivity and more about protecting your peace during the colder months.