Some of the top MANLY HOBBIES!
(Nextluxury.com)
Cooking and Grilling
Being able to feed yourself well is a basic part of self-sufficiency, guys. Moreover, when you learn how things go together, and how to create a perfect meal from scratch, you make yourself an asset in any hungry situation.
Homebrewing Beer
This is an adventure in chemistry and physics that will teach you how to craft a product you want through empirical experimentation — trial and error — and help you to explore new and creative techniques. It requires relatively few pieces of equipment, and the startup knowledge can be found for free. All you really need is time and some enthusiastic friends to play guinea pigs during the process of technique refinement.
Skiing and Snowboarding
If you want a way to become physically fit and improve your spatial reasoning skills, this is a great hobby. All it requires is snow, a little capital, and perseverance — the gear can be rented by the day. These winter sports will teach you how to judge distance accurately, understand the way your body moves through space, and how to make correct decisions on the fly.
Leatherworking
This is a craft skill that will never go out of style. It teaches patience, and the direct relationship between cause and effect. Learning to work leather requires that you invest a little money and time, but beyond that the tools you need are inside your skull and at the ends of both your arms.
Chess
Mastering the techniques of a champion may take you the rest of your life, but learning the basics of strategy — observation, planning, judging the quality of an opponent’s skill — can be picked up relatively swiftly. Moreover, these are skills that you can apply to every life situation, and which will stand you in good stead in the realm of interpersonal interaction. Chess sets can be procured for relatively small sums, and technique guides are available in both print and online for free.
Rocketry
Similar to model construction, but with definitely real applications of physics and chemistry, this hobby will hone your critical thinking and problem solving skills to a killing point. What you learn through experimentation and research of fuel systems will stand you in good stead when solving problems in completely unrelated areas. Plus, nothing is more gratifying than creating something that works.
Investing
This is a hobby much like chess, in that it requires you to gain skill in planning, prediction, and observation of how human desires motivate human actions. You need not actively invest capital at first; simply watch the stock ticker, read the reports, and immerse yourself in the business of business.
Lockpicking
You don’t have to be up to no good to acquire this skill. The tools are simple, but buying a practice lock from the hardware store is advised, since picking damages the tumbler mechanism of a lock. Being able to pick a lock works better than a coat hanger or credit card if you or another has accidentally locked themselves out of their car or home. It sharpens your fine motor skills and teaches you how to manipulate a complex mechanism you can’t directly study. Believe it or not, this sort of hobby actually enhances your cognitive abilities in other areas, such as abstract problem solving.
Archery
This is no sissy hobby, guys. With access to a range where you can rent gear and practice, this is a relatively inexpensive hobby. Buying your own armguard, bow and arrows works as well, and can be done relatively inexpensively for beginners. Archery teaches you focus and precision, all of which will stand you in good stead in a variety of pursuits.
Thrifting
Like “American Pickers,” you can spend a free hour or two every week browsing the flea markets and antique shops. With a bit of study about maker’s marks and unique features of the Real McCoy, you’ll learn to identify authentic antiques and treasures from cheap junk. You’ll also expand your knowledge of contextual history, which is never a bad thing and makes for great conversation.
Tattooing
Dive in and ink up, Gentlemen. As well, study the artistry behind the art. Learning the technique can even go as far as apprenticing yourself to an artist, should you find that you have a passion for creation of this sort. It will also enhance your eye for form, color, and imagery.
Bodybuilding
This is the art of the self. As well as enhancing your physical health and appearance, you’ll give an enormous boost to your self-esteem, because bodybuilding goes beyond lifting weights. It incorporates nutrition, concepts of balance and proportion, planning and pacing yourself, and goal setting. Whether you go for the buff look or not, this is a worthy hobby for any man, because you’ll stand straighter and go after what you really want in life with greater efficacy.
Rock Sports
If you want the ultimate challenge of the Self, take up rock climbing, repelling, and other similar sports. While this hobby will require some investment of capital, because you must ensure your safety with proper gear and training, rock climbing teach you to actively evaluate your immediate environment, focus on details, and plan your moments. It’s always a rush to feel you’ve succeeded and to know every inch of the rock face you just climbed with every sense you possess.
Classic Car Restoration
A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Restoring a classic piece of fine machinery is a labor of love, sweat, and research. You’ll learn how to source quality parts for your baby, and how to install them — from the body to the minutest internal components. It will require patience and a bit of money if you want to do it yourself, but another great, and often free way to experience this hobby is to work with someone who already does it.
Traditional Sports
Think you’re too old to engage in team sports? Think again. Whether your pleasure is rugby, soccer, baseball, basketball, American football or another team sport, adult recreational leagues exist in most places for most of these sports. Pick one and rediscover the value of teamwork and planning. As well, it’s a great way to be both social and physical once you’ve left college and are a part of the adult working world.
Magic
This is the art of human nature, of misdirection coupled with delight. Magic is a wonderful hobby that makes for great icebreaking tactics in new social situations, and also teaches you to see what others might miss or hope that you will miss.
Paintball
This is a great hobby to take up, men. While it will cost a little bit of cash to gear up, and also if you wish to reserve a game space, it enriches your life immeasurably and provides valuable physical activity. Especially when you play with a team, you learn cooperative planning and implementation skills that will work for you in every group endeavor. As well, you’ll become adept and assessing your environment, and picking up on small details. If you don’t you’ll soon be tagged with some bright reminders to work on your game skills.
Electronic Models
Building robots or other multi-component responsive devices will teach you about the human brain, and how it functions to send signals that beget action. Both computers and more simplistic mechanisms are based on our own organic processing units. Plus, it’s a lot of fun to pit your latest invention against those of your friends in a Battle Royale. Trial and error will teach you how to perfect your creations for their intended uses, and engage you on a number of critical levels.
Survival
There’s nothing more stimulating or masculine than pitting your wits against adversity, especially in the absence of modern conveniences. Learning survival skills will enable you to assess problems in every aspect of modern life and plot workable solutions. As well, with survival training, there is no buck-passing. You are ultimately responsible for your actions and their consequences, even if they are spurred by uncontrollable circumstances. Now, that’s Manly. Skill level: Marcus Aurelius.
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Whether it’s on the trail or in the bike lane, cycling is a fantastic way to see the world through which you move in clearer detail than driving affords. As well, you’ll improve your health and your ability to assess upcoming obstacles. Go ahead and invest in a good cycle and safety gear. You won’t regret the purchase.
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