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Lifestyle

Best Side Projects to Start and Never Finish

The ultimate collection of aspirational hobbies that look great on your shelf

Every successful procrastinator needs at least three unfinished projects gathering dust by 2025.
đź‘‘ #1 Pick

Udemy Complete Web Development Bootcamp Course

Learn to code while learning to procrastinate—two birds, one stone

All 5 recommendations

Est. prices as of 21 Mar 2026

#1 · Udemy · Crowd Favorite

Udemy Complete Web Development Bootcamp Course

$14.99

Learn to code while learning to procrastinate—two birds, one stone

  • âś“ Lifetime access means you can feel guilty forever
  • âś“ Only watched 12% of the content but feel like a developer
  • âś“ Perfect bookmark for your 47 browser tabs
  • âś— The guilt when instructor asks 'Are you still there?'
#2 · Cricut · Most Overhyped

Cricut Maker Machine Starter Bundle

$449.99

Design, cut, and abandon—the holy trinity of craft room items

  • âś“ Looks sophisticated sitting on a shelf
  • âś“ TikTok convinced you you'd be a vinyl entrepreneur
  • âś“ Great conversation starter about your 'design business'
  • âś— Subscription fees for designs you'll never use
  • âś— Software updates break compatibility regularly
  • âś— That one unfinished wedding invitation project from 2022
#3 · Tetra

Aquarium Starter Kit (20-gallon)

$79.99

Relaxing aquascaping hobby that slowly becomes a financial burden

  • âś“ Instagram-worthy for first 3 weeks
  • âś“ Water changes are meditative (until they're not)
  • âś“ Fish provide judgment-free companionship
  • âś— Fish die unexpectedly, creating guilt spirals
  • âś— Algae blooms teach you about your actual commitment level
  • âś— Expensive hobby disguised as a 'zen' project
#4 · Gamblin · Hidden Gem

Oil Painting Deluxe Starter Set

$124.99

Become the artist you pretend to be at dinner parties

  • âś“ Supplies smell like success and linseed oil
  • âś“ One half-finished canvas reads as 'mysteriously artistic'
  • âś“ Very portable when stored in the closet for 18 months
  • âś— Oil paint requires proper ventilation you don't have
  • âś— Learning curve is steeper than your motivation
  • âś— Cleanup is worse than the actual painting
#5 · DJI · Premium Pick

DJI Mini 3 Pro Drone

$759.00

Expensive way to film 30 seconds of your backyard before losing interest

  • âś“ Genuinely impressive specs you won't fully utilize
  • âś“ Makes you feel like a filmmaker for exactly one weekend
  • âś“ Great resale value when you inevitably sell
  • âś— FAA registration makes you overthink everything
  • âś— Battery life shorter than your attention span
  • âś— Footage sits in your phone unedited for 2 years