Why Moms Need A Hobby That Has Nothing To Do With Their Kids

If you're struggling to find alone time, dedicating any part of your day to a hobby might sound impossible. But for moms, both should be a priority, and making time for a hobby can help you get more of both. After all, many of the benefits of alone time overlap with the advantages of taking up a hobby.

Indulging in something you love can reduce your cortisol levels, lowering stress and anxiety while supporting your central nervous system and boosting your immune system's functionality. By ignoring your own needs, research shows you may be more likely to feel burnt out, and this can lead to sleep problems and depression. Fortunately, taking up a hobby is a fabulous excuse to take a break, do something you enjoy, and improve your mental and physical health. 

My kids are now 8 and 10, but my need for a hobby aligned with the COVID lockdowns. I learned quickly that the best approach was to start small, keep expectations low, and test out a few things until something stuck. For me, at the time, this was wreath-making, bread baking, and creative writing. But it's also not uncommon to feel overwhelmed or confused about where to start. For many moms, their old hobbies aren't as enticing as they once were — which makes sense! You've changed, so why wouldn't your interests? The best thing you can do is carve out a small window of time and dedicate it to something you find intriguing, even if it's short-lived.

Many moms know that making time for yourself is often easier said than done. Fortunately, there are no rules to picking a hobby. There's no set amount of time or money you must spend. You don't have to make the goal of turning it into a lucrative side hustle. Your hobby can be as simple as weekly 20-minute nature walks or a daily reading of a specific topic or genre you enjoy.

However, there are a few steps that can help you turn your interest into a true hobby. Consider first what it is you enjoy, even in passing. For instance, if you love craft time with your kids, you may want to try embroidery or knitting on your own. As an added benefit, these hands-on, low-stress hobbies have shown mental health and cognitive benefits. If you prefer to be out in nature but can't find time to enjoy it on your own, consider starting a houseplant collection, which can improve your mood along with your indoor air quality. Or, if you're craving social interaction, use your quest for a hobby as an excuse to sign up for a group class.

But if time is feeling like the biggest barrier between you and your new interests, ask yourself why. For some, setting aside scheduled time is the only way to make a hobby happen. For others, squeezing in a few minutes here or there of painting, journaling, or yoga poses is the easiest way to indulge in your hobby without turning it into yet another thing that needs doing. The ultimate goal, after all, is to give yourself a break.