Another Abby Holt Article - Beyond the Scroll

 

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Beyond the Scroll: Seven Surprisingly Fun Skills You Can Learn Online or Out in the Wild

In a world constantly nudging you to scroll just a little longer, it’s easy to forget how good it feels to actually do something—especially something new. We all get the itch. Maybe it starts as a passing thought after bingeing a cooking show, or maybe it comes from watching a friend turn their weekend hobby into something real. But the urge is there: to learn, to create, to connect. What’s beautiful now is that you don’t have to choose between solo exploration and social interaction—some of the most fulfilling hobbies let you do both. You can learn the ropes in your pajamas online, then step out and meet real people who are into the same thing. Let’s dive into seven under-the-radar (but totally addictive) skills you can pick up from your couch or your community.

Turning Silence into Sound
 
There’s something wildly vulnerable and rewarding about learning to play music as an adult. You might start online, fumbling through beginner ukulele tutorials or downloading a piano app that gamifies the basics. But sooner or later, you’ll crave that live feedback loop—joining a local jam session or taking a group class becomes the natural next step. And when you hit that first clean chord in front of people, it’s electric.

Cracking the Code: Finding Flow in Computer Science
 
Learning computer science can feel like unlocking a new way of thinking—it sharpens how you approach problems, patterns, and even everyday decisions. Whether you're dabbling in coding through online tutorials or building your first app, the learning curve is real but incredibly rewarding. For those looking to take their skills further, earning a degree can offer structure, deeper knowledge, and access to tools and communities you might not find on your own. Choosing an online computer science degree makes it easier to balance work responsibilities while you explore everything from algorithms to AI without putting your life on pause.

The Dance Floor Is Everywhere Now
 
Dance used to feel like something you either learned as a kid or avoided at weddings. That’s over. TikTok may have made choreography bite-sized, but there’s a whole universe of dance styles you can dip into online—from beginner hip-hop to salsa footwork to K-pop routines that sneak in a workout. Then, when you’ve mustered the courage (and muscle memory), walking into a local dance studio or Latin night becomes less intimidating and more of a celebration.

Pottery Isn’t Just for Ghost Scenes Anymore
 
There’s a quiet therapy in shaping clay. It’s tactile, a little messy, and weirdly meditative. While you can start with YouTube demos or even mail-order kits, pottery almost insists that you step into a studio eventually—to fire your pieces, yes, but also to vibe with others hunched over wheels or hand-building mugs that lean a little to the left. You’ll leave each session with something imperfect but deeply yours.

The Art of Brewing the Perfect Cup
 
Coffee and tea aren’t just drinks—they’re rituals. If you’ve ever watched a slow-pour video on Instagram and thought, “I could do that,” you absolutely can. Online classes can walk you through everything from grind size to water temperature, and pretty soon you’ll be geeking out over bloom times like a pro. What’s cool is that cafes and local roasters often host tastings or workshops, where your solo obsession can suddenly become a communal ritual.

Making Words Work for You
 
Creative writing isn’t just for tortured novelists or people with MFA degrees. It’s one of the most accessible, soul-stirring skills you can pick up—often for free. Sites like Coursera or Substack can get you going, and before long, you might find yourself joining a writing group at your library or sharing pieces at an open mic. There’s power in giving voice to your experiences, and even more in hearing someone say, “I felt that too.”

Knots, Needles, and Nerdy Delight
 
Fiber arts are having a moment, and for good reason—they hit that sweet spot between focus and calm. Whether you’re picking up crochet, embroidery, macramé, or knitting, you’ll find a rabbit hole of charming tutorials and pattern swaps online. But the real magic? Local stitch-and-bitch circles, yarn cafes, or crafting nights at your nearest bookstore. They’re full of people who understand the high of finally nailing that tricky stitch—and who’ll celebrate your lopsided scarf like it’s runway-ready.

Photography for the Rest of Us
 
You don’t need a fancy DSLR or a five-hour Lightroom course to make photography your thing. Start with your phone. Learn how to frame a shot, find light, and tell stories through photos—plenty of photographers share killer tips online for free. Then take it offline: join a local photo walk, enter a community contest, or offer to snap portraits at a friend’s event. Suddenly you’re not just taking pictures—you’re seeing your world differently.

Here’s the secret no one tells you: you don’t have to become an expert. You just have to start. The point isn’t mastery—it’s motion. Finding a new skill or hobby isn’t about productivity or self-improvement, at least not primarily. It’s about curiosity, presence, and maybe even joy. You learn a few chords, you brew a better cup, you mess up a pot and laugh with strangers. That’s it. That’s the stuff. The best part? Whether you’re starting from your bedroom or stepping into a studio, you’re not alone. And that, more than anything, makes the learning stick. 

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