A divorce is a time of big changes, and most people have a desire to branch out and try new things during this life transition. Besides being a tool for personal growth, developing new interests is also a very good way to meet new people, both friends and potential dates. Here are some suggestions on hobbies and activities that you might consider, if you haven’t before.

Physical Activity

• Join a community sports team-play softball, basketful, soccer.
• Take tennis lessons or learn to play golf.
• Join a dancing class or club. It’s not necessary to have a partner, and there are classes out there for any kind of dance you like.
• Join your local gym or YMCA.
• Take part in a hiking or nature club.
• Take up power-walking or running. Find an exercise buddy.

The Outdoors

• Gather some friends for a camping trip.
• Go canoeing, rafting, or floating.
• Go fishing.
• Take up an adventure sport such as climbing, spelunking (cave exploration,) or rappelling. Most cities have a climbing gym where you can meet people with similar interests.

Home and Garden

• Paint your home, inside or out.
• Re-decorate to suit your new self and new lifestyle.
• Plant a vegetable or flower garden. Contact your local horticulture society or botanical gardens for information on community classes for gardeners.

Crafts/Sewing

• Learn to make your own clothes.
• Join a quilting or sewing club.
• Build model airplanes or put together a train set.
• Check out a local hobby shop and take inventory of the hundreds of possible hobbies. Decide on one that appeals to you and start small with one kit or one manageable project.

Art/Design

• Take up painting or drawing.

Continuing Education

• Take classes at the local community college-learn a new language, business or computer skill. Get to class early so you can get to know your classmates and possibly develop friendships.
• Buy a new computer and take a class to learn how to use it.
• Join a book club or writer’s club.
• Join your local Toastmasters and improve your public speaking skills.

Church/Community Involvement

• Volunteer in your community.
• Join a local political group and take part in campaigns.
• Get involved in your church. Most churches sponsor social activities, and many have events just for singles.

Travel

• Explore some places you have never been. Contact your travel agent about cruises and other packages specifically for singles.
• Or, shop the internet for low-cost packages

The top Internet SItes for booking bargain travel are expedia.com, travelocity.com, orbitz.com, kayak.com and priceline.com.

Cooking

• Take a cooking class.
• Learn how to bake.

Dating/Relationships

• Consider enrolling in a dating service. Be sure to shop around for a good price, and make sure you’ve chosen a reputable service.
• Place a personal ad-taking care to be cautious and aware of safety. Meet in a public place, or double date with someone you know and trust-The old saying, “there’s safety in numbers,” definitely applies here. Don’t give out your home phone number, last name, or address until you know the person very well.
• Try meeting someone on the internet. There are now many reputable services now on-line, and some happily married couples have met over the net. Currently, the top three on-line dating services are Plentyoffish.com, Match.com and Eharmoney.com. Again, use caution when meeting strangers.
• Check out local singles groups such as Parents without Partners.
• Ask a friend to fix you up with an eligible single.

If none of these ideas strike your fancy, an excellent web site to help you find a new hobby is discoverahobby.com.