Cook more meals at home 🍳

• Central Market Cooking School | 4001 N. Lamar Blvd. | Whether you’re looking for the basics, like perfecting your knifework, or want to gain a new culinary skill, like learning how to make doughnuts, Central Market chefs can teach you. View the list of classes.
• Kitchen Underground | Multiple locations | Hone specific skills with topics including sheet pan dinners, Thai food workshops, and kid-friendly cooking.
• Make It Sweet | 9070 Research Blvd. | As the name suggests, this is the place to learn how to bake, but you can also take classes on pasta and pierogi making. Here’s the 2023 schedule.

Photo by ATXtoday

Donate unused items ♻️

• Casa Marianella | 821 Gunter St. | Give back to this charity supporting displaced immigrants by checking off items from its wish lists.
• Caritas of Austin | 611 Neches St. | Help care for Austin’s homeless population with donations of kitchen appliances, home goods, and gift cards.
• Inside Books Project | Multiple locations | This organization distributes free books and educational materials to incarcerated people — and is the only program in Texas to do so.

Join a gym 💪

• Austin Simply Fit | Multiple locations | Start the year off strong with some one-on-one personal training or athletic development.
• Castle Hill Fitness | 1112 N. Lamar Blvd. | This expansive gym has two stories for yoga and pilates studios, spa treatment rooms, and in-person classes.
• Forge Strength Austin | 2032 S Lamar Blvd | For those looking for a deeper workout, this gym promises to “change your mindset inside the gym and outside” with endurance-based workouts.
• HIT Athletic | 7797 Burnet Rd. | This high-intensity gym offers spin classes, yoga, kickboxing, and youth classes.

Nurture creativity 🎨

• Austin Creative Reuse | 2005 Wheless Ln. | Make something — and thrift it too — with items from this used art supplies warehouse, where materials are cheap.
• Art School at The Contemporary Austin | Multiple locations | For kids and adults alike, hone in on the skill you want to learn, from ceramics to watercolor or papermaking.
• Dougherty Arts Center Arts Classes | 1110 Barton Springs Rd. | Learn painting, weaving, darkroom photography, or other skills from guest artists.

Read more books 📚

• Austin Public Library | Multiple locations | The easiest and free-est way to expand your mental library is to sign up for a library card. Apply for one online.
• Book People | 603 N. Lamar Blvd. | There’s a reason this pleasant book store has been Austin’s favorite since 1970 — but you’ll have to find out why for yourself.
• BookWoman | 5501 N. Lamar Blvd. | Stock up on your favorite new titles from this woman-owned book shop.
• Vintage Bookstore and Wine Bar | 1101 E. 11th St. | This meant-to-be combination is the coziest place to spend a rainy afternoon, or any afternoon.
• Looking for some local reads? Check out our guide.

Photo via @austinjosephmiller

Volunteer 👋

• Austin Animal Center | 7201 Levander Loop | Help some of the 11,000+ animals the shelter takes in each year by connecting dogs and cats with potential adopters, taking pets outside for enrichment, pitching in at community events, or fostering.
• Out Youth | 909 E. 49th 1/2 St. | Help organize community events — like the annual Youth Prom or PRIDE Parade — with this organization providing support for LGBTQIA+ youth in Central Texas.
• Refugee Services of Texas | 500 E. St. Johns Ave. | Help set up apartments for arriving refugee families, lead cultural orientations, teach English language classes, or provide childcare, job finding, or legal services.
• Feeling extra committed? Here’s our full roundup of volunteer opportunities.