Last Updated January 2 , 2026

As I reflect on 2025, the numerous hobbies I incorporated into my life are what define this year for me. As such, I have complied a list of what I picked up this year, and my overall thoughts on each activity.

Grilling

Grilling began to speak to me when I realized I could avoid making the inside of my apartment smell like burnt oil, and I didn’t have to wash a pan afterwards. The food also tastes a million times better than it does off the stove, which is an added bonus.

My apartment complex has two semi-functional gas grills on the pool deck. The experience begins with a thick layer of charred crust on the grill from the previous user. I scrape the crust off to the best of my abilities and then work on lighting the grill. Where I can successfully do this, the flames are nonuniform, and many of the burners are totally out of commission. Once lit, I must tap into my grilling intuition, for the temperature gauges do not work. I say a prayer and toss my food on the metal bars, hoping I won’t be eating a hockey puck or contracting a food-borne illness thereafter.

These inconveniences are not even the worst part. The ants are the worst part. The ants have executed a complete takeover, turning the pool deck grills into their colony—their steel fortress. Thick black lines of ants buzz all around the pool deck. It looks like the concrete is moving. I split my time between protecting my ankles from their bites and defending the upper half of my body from the mosquitoes that are attacking me from the north. A wave of heat spills out from under the hood. It feels like my eyelashes are burning off. I question whether or not I am hallucinating.

The grills at my apartment complex by no means provide a glamorous experience. Regardless, learning to grill in these conditions, I believe, has made me a strong griller in a short amount of time. My neighbors and I have made some amazing meals this year, and more importantly, some amazing memories. There is something so relaxing and therapeutic about standing around the grill with a drink in hand chatting with friends. I will undoubtedly continue grilling in 2026 and hopefully broaden my skills in this space.

My first time getting nice grill marks. I felt like I was filming a commercial!

Milana and I made Tacos

Skirt steak is my favorite!

Grilling in Fort Worth

Sewing

For years now I’ve wanted to take on sewing, and I finally brought this desire to fruition in 2025. The delay in exploring this interest for so many years was mostly due to my hesitance to invest in a sewing machine, which can run you a few hundred dollars. However, when JoAnn Fabric was purchased by private equity in 2010, I knew that piercing this barrier to entry was imminent. I patiently waited 15 years for this moment—the large yellow and red canvases sprawled across the Joann Fabric storefront. “CLOSING!” “EVERYTHING MUST GO!” “85% OFF!” I knew that if I was ever to purchase a sewing machine, this was my time. After my diligent search through the barren, apocalyptic isles, I finally found the deal of a lifetime. A generic JoAnn sewing machine for 50% off.

I took my new treasure home and immediately got to work. For my first project I really wanted to put my skills to the test, so I decided that it would be a great idea to sew a dress for my Barristers Ball. I was inspired by a beautiful silvery-grey YSL dress with a stunning plunging neckline that had taken over my Pinterest feed for many weeks. No pattern, no measuring, no research, just following my heart. The final product was wearable (from a distance) but unfortunately was unable to debut at the event. My creation was put out of commission when I went to iron the dress but failed to check how old the water in the iron was. The foul odor saturated the dress. There was no going back, for the seams—hanging on by a mere thread—stood no chance against even the most delicate wash cycle.

Sewing is by far the most stressful and difficult hobby I decided to take on this year. I learned there is no room to cut corners, and the more preparation you take on before starting the project, the easier the process will be. The emotional roller coaster this project took me on was honestly traumatizing, and I’ve been hesitant to sew since. However, I’m at a point where enough time has passed, and I’m ready to reinitiate this hobby. Moving forward, I am going to start with simple hems and gradually build on my skills over time.

I highly recommend a cart for transporting supplies

This was the extent of my preparation

Hard at work!

Didn’t get any amazing pictures of the final product but you get the idea

Watercolors & painting & Drawing

Watercolors, painting, and drawing were by far the most peaceful hobbies I began this year. Sitting down after a long day and painting a quick picture helped relax my mind and body. Watercolors is a wonderful activity because the materials are inexpensive, and I don’t believe you need a significant level of natural artistic ability to create something aesthetically pleasing.

Upgraded my materials

Peaches

Scrapbooking

The way scrapbooking quite literally took over my life this year was extremely eye-opening and has forced me to reflect on some tendencies I have. After visiting my boyfriend back in September, I thought it would be a fun idea to document my trip through a scrapbook. I printed my photos from the trip and purchased some crafting materials on Amazon. What originally seemed like a relaxing craft to unwind with in the afternoon quickly turned into an obsession. I fell in love with scrapbooking. I found myself staying up until 1:00 in the morning working on my pages. The dopamine rush I received each time I completed a page was like none other.

In addition to the effect scrapbooking took on my sleep, it soon began to take a toll on my bank account. I loved ordering stickers and other fun little things to use in the scrapbook. These purchases seemed insignificant individually, since most ranged anywhere from $5 to $10. However, when I quickly accumulated 3 acrylic boxes full of stickers and craft supplies, I knew that this was no longer a financially sound hobby. It was pure, utter scrapbook gluttony.

Currently, I am about 2 months clean from making any scrapbook-related purchases. This incident taught me a lot about consumerism tendencies, and I plan to use the lessons I learned from this in all hobbies I pick up in 2026. To enjoy a new hobby, you do not immediately need all the bells and whistles. It is better to build a collection of tools over a period of time and prioritize using what you already own.

A picture I drew for my boyf of where we had our first date

My roommate is going to send me a better picture when she gets back to the apartment, but here are 2/3 of my scrapbook supplies.

Showing off my collection to my friend Morgan