The year 2020 is over. A year like no other.
From the 5K social media challenge to 99 year old Captain Tom walking 100 lengths through his backyard, it was a time for people to get out there, do their best, and do anything to make other lives positive. not to mention their own.
Now is the year, how are you with your active activities? Have you been held back by the situation or do you fancy new, active hobbies and new opportunities to make the most of your time outside?
Here's our rundown of the best ways to find a brand new hobby for 2021.
Looking for an affordable sport?
It can be difficult to find a new hobby to get excited about. There is always a fear that you will commit too much and then, once you've paid for the clothes and equipment, find that it's not for you.
The phrase "all the gear and no idea" comes to mind.
A great way to deal with this potential problem is to look at sports that don't require a lot financially and mean that all you have to do is invest in equipment when you know it's exactly what you want to do. This can also apply to courses for new hobbies.
One of the great things to go mainstream by 2020 is video call workouts. It is something that hopefully should be continued in the future as it is a fantastic way for beginners to dig into the workout as it doesn't require long term sign up and you don't get nervous training in front of people you don't know and can be excellent anyway Receive instructions and feedback from your coach or instructor.
When it comes to trying something new cheaply, there's never been a better time than now!
Participate in a sport your friends love
There is a lot to be said about finding your own hobbies that will take you out of your comfort zone and learn entirely new skills that are different from those around you. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with learning a sport that one or many of your friends are already interested in.
From both a new activity and friendship development perspective, having someone around you who is already passionate about what you are committed to is an excellent start into the hobby.
See what your friends are up to, it could be the start of something beautiful.
Try a sport near you
When it comes to finding a new hobby before 2020, a perfectly normal suggestion would be to inquire about what's going on near you to see what type of sports clubs there are. But it's not that easy anymore.
Instead of looking for organized fun, it's worth checking out what's on offer in relation to sports facilities that may not have been as used and paid attention to lately.
Did you notice that your park has a tennis court? Grab some rackets and tennis balls, make a friend, and play! Those old goal posts on the nearby soccer field? Football is more than just a physical game with 11 players. Is there a quiet park or an unused running track near your home? Well, there has never been a better time to get out and start running.
By simply hugging your surroundings, there is no telling what your new hobby might be.
Get inspiration from a movie or TV show
Another element of 2020 that those looking for new ways to get active won't miss out was the time we sat in front of the screen this year.
However, this could still be used to your advantage. Have you streamed a sports movie or TV show that got your heart pumping and the hair on the back of your neck tingling? From Netflix's The Last Dance to the American football movie Remember The Titans, sport has given us so many examples of film and television shows that inspire us to do more with ourselves.
So why not use this inspiration for your next hobby? It doesn't have to be as specific as the sport in movies you saw recently, it just needs to get you outside and active.
Feel like you've missed out on sports documentaries and don't know where to start? Check out our rundown of the best sports documentaries on Netflix now.
Make the transition from an activity you're already interested in
Perhaps you are closer to your new hobby than you first thought.
New year, new hobby: this is how you find your new sport