Why Hobbies Matter

I have found that hobbies have become an important part of being “just April”. Me creating something for the sake of doing it.

I used to tell myself that I will have hobbies when my kids are grown, or when I have more time. But not anymore. 2020 taught me that I need to develop hobbies now. I want to be a well-rounded person now. 

I want to be a healthy example for my kids and the people around me.  I want to be fully alive, embracing the fun, showing up as my best self. 

My tendency to be productive and push the feelings down made a subdued and boring life.   

Photo by Giulia Bertelli on Unsplash

“Slow hobbies are good hobbies. I cannot come up with a hobby that is rushed: fishing, crocheting, rock climbing…”

“I cared most about being liked versus liking myself. When you start listening to your own heart and your own wants life gets so much richer.”

“Hobbies are so important! They bring connection with others and ourselves.” 

– That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs

---

Hobby Idea List:

Here are some hobbies that I have enjoyed at different times and in a variety of ways:

• Painting objects 

• canning  

• nature journaling  

• knitting 

• homemade things  

• sewing  

• baking 

• homemade soap  

• finger knitting  

• painting on a canvas 

• Baking fresh bread each week 

• wood burning 

• paper crafting  

• walking

• journaling 

• candle making 

• Nature Study 

• Reading poetry 

• Organizing areas of my home 

• Bird watching 

• Weightlifting / kickboxing

• Photography 

• Hiking 

• Gardening 

• Raising chickens 

• Adult coloring 

• Cloud watching and learning about weather.

 

Real, vibrant life is found in ideas, hobbies, and discovery.  

Photo by russn on Unsplash

“Without affection for ourselves, without softness on the inside, without being kind to ourselves, we will always be tired. We will always carry what we were never intended to carry and dig holes that go nowhere. Our energy goes to keeping up with our moving finish line, leaving no space for contentment and acceptance of who and where we are right now.”

– Kendra Adachi from the Lazy Genius Way (from chapter 13 “Be Kind to Yourself”)

Questions for you:

• What is a fun hobby idea for you? 

• What are some activities that make you feel like yourself? 

• What lights you up or excites you to learn more? 

• What makes you come alive?

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

My Encouragement for You

Fight for yourself. Make some space for trying something new. Pick up an old childhood interest and give it a fresh perspective. Start with things that you loved. Read a series from your teen years. (Baby-sitters Club anyone?) Get out some blank paper and sketch something fun. Borrow your toddler’s playdough and make a scary creature. Get out a jigsaw puzzle. Go to the bookstore and find a hobby book that catches your eye.

It will be an uphill battle to become yourself again.  It is worth it! You cannot pour from an empty bucket for forever. You must be filled as well. 

There is something beautiful about learning a new skill or creating something from scratch.

“You get to experiment without the consequences. You get to create what is in your head rather than adapting to someone else’s expectations.”

“Initiating a project with no parameters and no expectations from others also forces you to stay self-aware and learn to follow your intuition.” 

from Manage Your Day-to-Day by Jocelyn K. Glei

Choosing to spend time on a hobby and chase the fun is worth it. We want to feel connected to ourselves. We want to create connections with other people when we share new hobbies and learn new things.

Start this week. Start small.

Choose something easy and simple. You got this!!

💙Take care, April

---

Photos by Giulia Bertelli and others on Unsplash