Until this point, I’ve been sailing along with this challenge. I bought myself an accessory, I cleaned up my bedroom, I’m doing well.
But today’s challenge is stumping me and I’m not even sure why.
Day #7 – Get a hobby
The trick with this hobby is that it is supposed to be something fun for you. Not something that benefits the kids or makes you money, necessarily, but something that is for you and helps you unwind and deal with the stress that inevitably builds in our lives.
As I’ve said before, I have no hobbies. Unless you count writing, but even that is something I do in the course of a career. I don’t write privately anymore. Everything that my fingers tap out on the keyboard is for public consumption.
So other than that? I have no idea. For like six seconds I started to take up knitting but I felt like it was an old-lady pursuit and I was trying to find something more “hip.”
Then I tried running and that worked until I messed up my knee.
Then I tried Zumba and then I wanted something that was less exercise and more…fun.
So I started baking. I subscribe to a gazillion cooking magazines anyway and it was nice to be able to whip up so many different pies and cakes from scratch. But my “on Sundays I bake” mantra was catching up with my thighs and I had to cut back on how often I baked before I gained too much weight.
So I’m still looking for something to do, something that is just mine and something that’s not too expensive. I came up with a brief list below. See if anything strikes your fancy:
1) Jewelry maker. My girl Brooke from Jewelry Rockstar (she is also profiled in Make It Happen) makes beautiful pieces of jewelry and she makes it look so easy!
2) Running. Train for a 5K, then a 10K, half-marathon, marathon and more. There’s running groups, cute running gear, etc.
3) Learn to play an instrument. I don’t have any particular skills, but I’d like to learn how to play the piano (maybe because I figure I like tapping on the keyboard, it’ll translate musically? I don’t know.)
4) Sewing. So many moms are making one-of-a-kind outfits for their little ones (and some are turning it in a full-fledged business). I’d love to think I could make pretty hair bows or skirts or sweaters for my little ones.
So what’s your hobby? Please give me some more suggestions 
This is something I have been working on myself. I thought about knitting and crocheting, but my brain and hands will not work together to make it enjoyable. I did make my daughters hats using a loom, and that was fun. Right now I am focusing on stamping. I like scrapbooking, but it is something that I do with the girls so it is not mine alone. Do you like paper crafts?
I think about hobbies SO OFTEN. I don’t have kids, either – so I feel like I have no excuse for not having hobbies. What about hiking, or collaging, or decoupaging, or making greeting cards? (Yeah, those don’t appeal to me, either. THIS IS DIFFICULT.)
I’ve been thinking about doing this. I’m not crafty or good with my hands but I would love to do something that is just for me, not for gain. I’m trying to find something.
I like to do yoga! Works well for clearing my mind, calming me down, and its healthy for my body. Plus you can control what you do and at what intensity. You can buy a beginner’s DVD and follow along!
This is something that I am working on as well. I’ve put myself on the back burner so long that I really have to explore my interests again. I do love to dance and I do Zumba 3 times a week. That goes along with my fitness goals more than being a hobby though. I’d love to learn urban line dance or salsa and really have fun with it.
@Jasmine – I’d love to do some salsa or line dancing. Thanks for the idea!!
I’m a lot older but I find blogging is therapeutic and addictive. You can do it from home whenever you have some spare time, share your ideas and passions and there’s a real sense of community. If nothing else, it’s great for documenting your vacations and special events in your child’s life – what a great gift to give your child! Keep up the great writing! Geoff