In this digital age, where millions of dollars are spent to capture your attention whether through avenues of Tiktok, Instagram or Facebook reels, so many of us have traded in our unique interests in favor of a quicker and more reliable hit of that good ol’ dopamine-–the good stuff. While this phenomenon spans multiple generations as it is a microcosm of our human condition, the younger generations have been affected the most.
We simply cannot deny that our hobbies are what makes us interesting as individuals. The great comedian Joey Diaz put it best when he said, “You ever meet somebody and they don’t do nothin? They don’t date, they do drugs, they don’t play checkers! How long do you like those people for? You don’t!”
While we are not condoning the use of drugs as a means of becoming an interesting person, we do agree with uncle Joey on one thing—we strongly believe that in order to ultimately find true meaningful connection with each other—connection that is leagues more genuine and pure than agreeing with some faceless comment on the internet, one should seriously consider picking up a new hobby.
For men, this is especially true, as the male loneliness epidemic runs rampant throughout our society today. Even more specifically, hobbies for men in their 20’s are especially important for this demographic because they help to form a sense of identity and even purpose in some cases. Famous psychologist, Jordan Peterson believes that many young men suffer from a lack of identity or sense of self—not knowing what they stand for, what they want, what contribution they can make. Having a purpose helps define one’s values, what one cares about, and shapes how one lives.
With that all being said, let’s dive further into some of the best hobbies for men in their 20’s, because here at the Adultist, we believe that cultivating personal interests is more than just a way to pass the time—it’s a pathway to building character, forging meaningful connections, and discovering who you truly are.
Let’s begin with our list of:
The Most Meaningful Hobbies for Men in Their 20’s
- Travel
Traveling can be immensely fulfilling, making it an excellent hobby. By forcing you to step outside of your comfort zone and expose you to novel situations and difficulties, it aids in your personal development. You develop a greater awareness of yourself and a wider perspective on the world by immersing yourself in various cultures and surroundings.
- Learn a new language
Learning a language is an interesting and rewarding hobby that provides a glimpse into many lifestyles and perspectives. The process can improve your cognitive abilities, including memory, problem-solving, and multitasking, and it is intellectually engaging. It might also provide one a feeling of achievement and possibly lead to new chances in both the personal and professional spheres. Although it can be difficult at times, it is well worth it.
- Reading
For ages, reading has been a popular pastime, and for good reason. Reading is a hobby that has countless benefits, such as increasing vocabulary and knowledge, sharpening cognitive skills, and stimulating creativity…not only that but it’s fun and relaxing! In recent decades a negative stigma has fallen upon young men who like to read and to that we say “There’s nothing stronger than a sharp mind—so pick up that book and wear your curiosity with pride.”
- Weightlifting
Speaking of strong…beyond just improving physical strength, weightlifting is a hobby that has many advantages. It can boost self-esteem, mental health, and can even be a social activity when deciding to train alongside friends or peers. Let’s not forget the obvious here though—this is the prime hobby for the young man looking to make himself visually more appealing to the ladies ;)
- Investing
You know what they say, “Time in the market beats timing the market.” Now is the time to begin investing into your future, while you’re still young. Investing can be an interesting and incredibly valuable hobby that offers more than just monetary returns—it can also help you develop important research and strategic thinking abilities. It can even be quite the social endeavor as well.
Our Top 3 Creative Based Hobbies
- Learn a new instrument
There are numerous advantages to learning to play an instrument, such as increasing your self-esteem, improving your memory, or expanding your social network. Studies have shown that playing music is capable of lowering stress levels. Playing music actively engages and stimulates the brain, making you feel pleased and busy. In Layman's terms, it’s fun! And you should give it a shot.
- Photography
Photography is a great hobby to pick up because it encourages us to see the world from different perspectives and capture moments that really resonate with us, which is why it can be considered a highly creative endeavor. Additionally, photography often leads to a deeper appreciation of the world around us.
- Cooking
Cooking is a wonderful hobby to pick up…seriously who can say that they don’t love great food? Not only does it foster a sense of appreciation of what we eat but it can also serve to be an incredibly rewarding…and tasty form of self expression. Not to mention one of the most beautiful things about cooking is its ability to bring people together and enrich us in a cultural sense as well.
Our Top 3 Money-Making Based Hobbies
- Blogging
Blogging is more than just writing—it’s a hobby that can grow into a money-making venture. By sharing your passions, you build an audience and open doors to income streams like ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, and even selling digital products. Beyond the earnings, blogging sharpens valuable skills in writing, SEO, and marketing. With consistency, a single post can generate traffic and income for years, making blogging both creatively fulfilling and financially rewarding.
- Woodworking
Handmade, high-quality wood products often fetch premium prices on platforms like Etsy, local craft fairs, or through custom commissions. As skills grow, so does earning potential—specialized pieces like dining tables or cabinetry can sell for thousands. Plus, teaching woodworking online or via workshops creates another steady income stream.
- Graphic design
Graphic design can be an incredibly lucrative hobby to take up as well. The need for high quality and unique logos, slogans, and prints of all kinds are more prevalent than ever before. You can monetize with freelance avenues such as Fiver or Upwork and is a potentially scalable business model. The beauty of this one is that all of this can be done with a laptop, some design software and a good imagination!
Our Top 3 Physical Based Hobbies
- Running
Running is frequently mentioned as one of the most common hobbies that people pick up and for good reason. Despite what many people think, it goes beyond the generalization that individuals run to simply lose weight. There are a myriad of advantages to going for a jog everyday. You can see improvements in your cardiovascular health, lung capacity, legs, and arguably the best part—the endorphins that are released resulting in that lovely runner's high.
- Hiking
Many of the same benefits as running can be found in the hobby of hiking. However, it should be noted that hiking can be an extremely social endeavor whereas running can be much more trying in that department. Both of these can be extremely rewarding as they tend to result in a palpable feeling of achievement. One of the most compelling arguments to pick up hiking, however, is its ability to get out and in nature.
- Yoga
Yoga has grown in popularity as a pastime in recent years and for good reason. Yoga provides a means of escape from the daily grind for certain individuals. Additionally it offers a distinctive method of strengthening and enhancing flexibility while relaxing and unwinding. Given its many mental, spiritual, and physical advantages, it's no surprise that yoga has become a popular pastime for many people.
Our Top 3 Relaxing Hobbies
- Fishing
Fishing can be a wonderful way to immerse yourself in nature in a very therapeutic and peaceful way. Like many other items on this list, it has been shown to decrease anxiety, stress, and depression, which is imperative for men in their 20’s as it can be an incredibly stressful point in their lives. Lastly, it’s a hobby that can be more social than many others and contribute to feelings of camaraderie.
- Fish keeping
Keeping along with our fish theme, keeping a fish tank is a hobby that soothes swimmingly! Aside from making for a really cool decoration for your apartment, keeping fish can give one all the benefits of pet ownership with the added bonus of convenience. Do fish need to be taken for a walk? No. Do fish need to tear up your favorite pair of sandals? No. Do fish make for an awesome and relaxing hobby? Yes!
- Camping
Camping is a great hobby because it combines adventure, relaxation, and personal growth. It gets you outdoors, away from screens and daily stress, allowing you to recharge in nature. It builds practical skills like cooking over a fire, navigation, and problem-solving, while also fostering self-reliance and resilience. The beauty of camping is how versatile it can be. Either social—bonding with friends and family—or peaceful solo time for reflection.
Wrapping Up on Hobbies for Men in their 20s
At the end of the day, hobbies aren’t just a way to kill time—they’re a way to discover yourself, build resilience, and create lasting connections. For men in their 20s especially, cultivating meaningful interests can provide identity, purpose, and even opportunity. Whether you’re lifting weights, learning guitar, or heading out on a hike, the point is to engage with life beyond the scroll. So pick something that excites you—and dive in.
