Finding the Right Hobby for ADHD is challenging
For people with impulsive/hyperactive ADHD, the excitement of starting a new hobby often fades as quickly as it began, leading to a common trope: “My hobby is collecting hobbies.” By finding hobbies that are both low-cost and engaging, you can try breaking that cycle without breaking the bank. Importantly, dropping money on a new passion is no guarantee you’ll stick with it. If that were the case, gyms would be as packed in July as in January.
Low risk/high reward: Hunting for ADHD-proof hobbies
It’s free and freeing to share ideas. Starting a blog on Substack is 100% free to set up. And if you hit your stride, the template makes it easy to invite readers to upgrade to a paid subscription so you can monetize your musings. Content creators on Substack delve into playlists, vintage fashion, history, and even living with ADHD. Browse through the Substack Staff Picks for an array of blog topics. The instant feedback creators receive through comments and analytics provides a little extra dopamine fuel to push yourself to keep at it. The platform also makes it easy to create a podcast or video blog. So you can expand your involvement and keep changing things up to challenge yourself.
Does your ADHD make you want to throw something? Perfect
Looking for something more active? Chances are you live within driving distance of a disc golf course and just don’t know it. The obscure, metal, chain-draped baskets that comprise a course are a mystery to the uninitiated and often set back in the woods. Download the free UDisc app to find courses—most are free to play.
A small investment of around $30 can land you a distance driver, a fairway driver, and a putter—my three favorite discs—and all you need for a round. Disc golf is fun in small groups or solo—and every round presents a personal challenge to lower your score. Most courses are a mix of wide open fields, tree-lined paths, and occasional water hazards, all set in a natural surrounding that would be a great walk—with or without your discs. And if you fall in love with the sport, trying out new discs adds another dimension of fun and commitment. The artwork, weight, and feel of discs vary greatly, offering ways to change up your game so it always feels new. There is no greater reward than the sound of your disc hitting the chains.
Creative Hobbies for ADHD
When the joy comes from creating, it’s okay to splurge a little. Hence the running joke among crafters: “Why buy it for $30 when I can make it for $90?!”
If you want something crafty and versatile, The Cricut is great for DIY projects, making custom cards, stickers, and heat-transfer designs with endless applications. While the price to get started is a little steeper, $150-$1000+ depending on your Cricut model, crafting could become a fun side hustle. At the very least, you can actually create gifts for a fraction of what you’d pay in a store. Check local craft stores for sales. Before paying the full price, always search Facebook Marketplace and eBay for used hobby gear. For every new hobby you’re looking to start, another hobbyist is moving on to the next thing.
Keep collecting till you find the hobby that survives your ADHD
Allow yourself the freedom to explore and move on whenever your hobby starts to feel like work. And keep experimenting until you find what truly sparks joy.
