Gaming can sometimes feel like an all-consuming hobby. With so many triple-A games vying for your time, each of which comprises potentially hundreds of hours of gameplay, gaming can feel a touch overwhelming. At times like this, it can be helpful to consider pursuing an alternate hobby. You don’t have to give up gaming altogether in order to do this; with good time allocation and sensible game choices, you can maintain several different hobbies alongside one another. Here are 9 other hobbies we think gamers should try in 2020.
Gardening
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden on your property, then gaming may have primed you for gardening in more ways than you think. Have you ever played games like Stardew Valley or (to a lesser extent, perhaps) Animal Crossing? If so, you’ve already been cultivating those skills. Gardening takes patience, time, and dedication, but if you’ve been maintaining your Stardew Valley vegetable patch then you’ve already got those things in spades. Pick up a watering can, buy some beautiful flower seeds, and transform your garden into something truly breathtaking!
Online casino gaming
Just like gardening, gaming may have primed you for online casino gaming without you even knowing it. Many games – such as Yakuza and Dragon Quest – feature casino minigames, so you’re probably already on board with a lot of the rules. You’re also a discerning customer, having many games to choose from every day, so you know the value of a really solid pick. If you’re interested in this area, head on over to the IrishCasinoHEX website and take a look at some of the best casinos going right now. You won’t be disappointed.
Writing
Have you ever found yourself thinking “I could write a better story than that” when you’re playing a video game? Now’s the time to put your money where your mouth is. Many people are taking up the pen thanks to being stuck in lockdown, so you’ll be in good company if you decide to be a writer. If you’re not into fiction, maybe you could consider starting up a side hustle as a gaming journalist. It’s a competitive industry, but that’s no reason not to give it a shot; you could find your new calling. Reviewers, news writers, and feature writers are always needed in the games journalism industry.
Cycling (or running, or any physical exercise)
Depending on the lockdown rules in your area, you may or may not be able to exercise outdoors. No matter whether you can do this or not, however, you can still take up a new exercise program. It’s very important to get your daily recommended dose of physical exercise; your heart, circulatory system, and mental health will all thank you as a result. If you don’t feel like running, you could buy a bike and take up cycling, or simply do some resistance exercises or cardio exercises from the comfort of your home. Whatever you do, starting a new physical exercise program is a great idea.
Reading
There’s a big problem in the world right now in terms of books. Nobody is reading enough. The coronavirus is providing ample opportunity to get stuck in, though, so now’s the time to get started on that stack of novels or non-fiction books you’ve been meaning to get around to. They don’t have to be high art or classic literature; no matter what you’re reading, you’re improving your mental health and your mood, so it’s worth it whatever the subject matter may be. Start with something fairly light if you’re feeling daunted, then move on to something more dense.
Music
We don’t currently know a huge amount about why some people have innate musical talent and others don’t. If you’ve always been able to sing in-key and you’ve got good hand-eye coordination (which, as a gamer, you almost certainly do), then you might want to look into taking up a musical instrument. You can get entry-level versions of most instruments for a shockingly low price nowadays, and the quality of the instrument doesn’t necessarily suffer as a result. Why not take up guitar, violin, or even singing? Like many other hobbies on this list, it’s good for you!
Tabletop gaming
With plenty of digital versions of tabletop gaming out there, you don’t need to worry about being physically present in order to enjoy board games or tabletop role-playing games. Tabletop Simulator or Board Game Arena are excellent places to start and feature many of the most popular titles around. Gather some friends on Discord or Roll20 and take a look at a board game you might all enjoy. Alternately, now might be the time to start writing that epic Dungeons and Dragons storyline you’ve been planning in your head for years.
Cooking
Home cooking is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep yourself healthy. During the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re getting the correct nutrition, and as a gamer, you’ll be able to sharpen your focus and keep your mind on the mission if you cook. It really doesn’t take much to start cooking; all you need are fresh ingredients, the right equipment, and a reasonably-sized kitchen, all of which you should already have. Before long, you’ll be cooking up complex and healthy meals without even breaking a sweat.
Coding
Games like Quadrilateral Cowboy and TIS-100 already offer an interactive coding-style experience, so if you’ve played them, you’re well on your way to becoming a coding wizard. Like gaming, coding is basically just a sequence of logical steps; it’s very much akin to a particularly intuitive but difficult puzzle game. Give coding a try and you’d be surprised how much of your gaming life has prepared you for it. Once you’re sufficiently advanced, why not try creating your own app or designing your own website? Coding is an incredibly useful skill to have as a hobby.
