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Hobbies to Get You Off the Couch

Newbies welcome.


We know. It's super tempting to sink into the couch and rewatch The Office on Netflix for the 8000th time, but maybe it's time to engage in a pastime that doesn't involve sitting on your ass. You're ready! Check out this list for the best skills/hobbies you can acquire that are not only really fun, but also double as great first date conversations to bring up to make yourself seem more interesting than you really are!


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photo via facebook 


Make Your Own Candles at Slow North 


If you're like us and have to stop and smell every candle at Target but still can't ever find the perfect one, then it's time to take matters into your own hands and create your own custom and completely natural candle. Slow North uses 100% natural ingredients like soy wax and essential oils to craft your new favorite candle. During one of their candle making classes, one of their seasoned team members will guide you through the process from start to finish. You'll discover the benefits of sticking to natural candle ingredients and craft your scent blend from over a dozen different essential oils ranging from floral or citrusy to musky, woody, and spicy. The glass tumbler you'll be pouring your candle into is reusable, so you can try your hand at pouring candles at home, or reuse it in a number of other ways! 


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photo credit: Roger Ho


Vinyl Collecting at a Record Store


As vinyl snobs and audiophiles will all tell you, an LP just sounds better. There's just something about the needle hitting the first groove of the vinyl. But what we can say? We're also suckers for a solid turntable and a good old-fashioned LP. Invest in a killer music collection by shopping online at some of Austin's beloved record stores, like Antone's, End of an Ear and of course, Waterloo Records


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Cooking Classes at Faraday's Kitchen Store


Let's face it, everybody has brought a sad box of off-brand cookies to a friend's potluck, or something to the same shameful effect. Never again. Learn some serious cooking skills to later pass off to your friends as your innate talents! Faraday's Kitchen Store offers cooking lessons from professional chefs, in workshops where you can learn to cook seasonal menu items, tasty hors-d'oeuvres, pasta making and more. Classes run about two hours and cost around $59-$69 a person. You can also check out Central Market, Thai Fresh, CozyMeal, and Let's Eat Austin for more great cooking classes. 

 

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photo credit: blue velvet facebook


Vintage Shopping at Blue Velvet


With an abundance of antique hot spots, Austin has been described as something of a Texas vintage mecca. And it's true, the city is full of shops stocked with clothes from decades past and curators eager to show off their latest collection. Rocking one-of-a-kind pieces give you the chance to stand out from the crowd of Forever 21 shoppers. Plus, sifting through racks of colorful, interesting and nicely broken in pieces is just a fun way to spend your lazy Sunday. Take a look at some of the other best vintage shops in Austin here


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photo via ABP 


Rock Climbing at Austin Bouldering Project 


Austin Bouldering Project is a fun, inclusive space here in Austin with world-class climbing walls, as well as yoga and a fitness studio where you can train with traditional weights to build up your grip strength. All their instructors are very knowledgeable and happy to help you perfect your climbing techniques. And best of all, affordable membership options


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Woodworking at Woodcraft of Austin


If you're anything like us, you always talk about how you want to be more "hands on" while you continue sitting at a computer for 9 hours a day unaware of how to fix any sort of minor inconvenience around your house. No shame, but here's your (and our) chance to learn a thing or two in the easiest way possible. Woodcraft's classes range from building a plant stand to choosing wood finishes.


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photo credit: Austin Home Brew Facebook


Brewing Beer at Austin Home Brew Supply


Beer drinking is probably the default hobby of choice for most young Austinites, so home brewing seems to be the natural next step toward full-fledged beer enthusiast status. This one may seem a little more tricky than your average pastime, but Austin Home Brew Supply has you covered with all the ingredients, all grain beer equipment, and even recipes (over 3,000). If all else fails, there are about a million brew blogs run by self-taught brew experts floating around on the internet that you could additionally learn from.


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photo credit: The Contemporary Austin Facebook


Art Lessons at The Contemporary


At Austin's premier contemporary museum, classes are offered in mediums including painting, drawing, wheel throwing (pottery), photography, Photoshop, collage, mosaics, watercolor, pastels, jewelry, glass, metal, and more! Classes start at various dates during the semester and registration is ongoing.


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photo via facebook


Cheese Tasting at Antonelli's


We get it. Cheese tasting isn't usually what comes to mind when thinking of hobbies. But we like to push the envelope here. And since we spend most of our time eating anyway, we might as well eat some fancy cheese and learn a thing or two about it from Antonelli's. Plus, with the new skills you learn about cheese, you can take this hobby on the road and hop over to Italy as soon as possible. It's all in the name of research!


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photo via instagram 


Crafting at Austin Creative Reuse


Austin Creative Reuse promotes creativity, education, community, and conservation. Their hope is that reuse, rather than buying new, will become the new norm when it comes to purchasing project materials. If you've never been to Austin Creative Reuse you're missing out on one of art's hidden gems in the city. ACR also offers a wide variety of workshops in bookbinding, quilting, and so much more.


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Did we miss your favorite Austin hobby?

We'd love to get into it.

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