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Hobbies For Busy Moms

Hobbies For Busy Moms | The Savvy Working Mom

With so much going on in your life as a busy mom, it can seem impossible to find time for a hobby. Yet, hobbies are an amazing form of self-care. As a busy mom, you can have time for your own personal hobby. The trick is to find something that works into your schedule. These are activities that can either become a part of your daily life or do not require a substantial time commitment at each setting. The following are some hobby ideas designed just for busy, working moms. There are a few people who experience the stress that a working mother has. The great news about hobbies is that they help to relieve stress by engaging you in something you enjoy and freeing up your mind for a time to relax. 

Why Are Hobbies Beneficial?

Hobbies are incredible for helping you to develop a stronger social life or create a deeper bond with those you love. 

When you have a hobby that you genuinely enjoy, you know that there’s always something you can turn to when you’re feeling stressed out, irritable, frustrated, or overwhelmed to help relieve those negative feelings.

Hobbies help to build confidence. Having a hobby allows you to learn new skills and refine the skills that you have. The challenge and responsibility that comes along with this is a great self-confidence booster. 

Hobbies are a great way to express creativity. In our day-to-day life, it can be challenging to find a way to let out our creative personal side. Hobbies are an excellent excuse for this.

Hobbies help to keep your brain young and your thoughts flowing freely. 

By regularly engaging in an activity that is different from the normal day-to-day, you keep challenging your brain. If you haven’t heard, your brain is like a muscle that needs to exercise regularly. Doing the same things over and over without much change isn’t a great stimulation to help your mind stay healthy. Working in a hobby where each time what you’re doing is slightly different and is challenging your brain is an excellent exercise.

One last reason why busy moms benefit more than others from having a hobby is that you can use your hobby to make money. And who needs some extra dollars more than a working mom? You can stash those bucks away to do something fun for your kids and family or to get yourself an extra massage each month.

How To Choose A Hobby 

If you’re reading this, you probably don’t have a hobby yet. That’s OK, let’s think about what’s holding you back. I’m guessing if you’re like me, it’s time. There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day. So when you choose your hobby, the thing you have to think about is, “Where is there a time in my day for this new adventure?” 

A few places where you might be able to find time are:

On your commute

If your commute is longer than 20 minutes, then hobbies that involve listening could easily be added to your life.

During family time

Developing a hobby with your family can truly be an amazing part of your life. If you have no time at all, then you can work your hobby into the time that you spend with your kids and husband. Imagine having an activity that you all get together and do each evening after dinner and before bedtime or every Sunday or Saturday morning. It’s a way to develop deeper relationships with your family. You have something to share, and you’ll always have something to talk about.

Early in the morning

If you’re an early riser, you can take those precious morning hours before the kids are up, and the household is buzzing to do something for yourself like work on your hobby. Hobbies that are focused on you as an individual are great for this.

Late evening

If you find yourself a night person, then right before bed can be an amazing time for you to start a hobby. After 8 or 9 o’clock is a great time to start because you can do something for yourself to wind down your day. You can even get your partner involved for a different kind of late-night fun.

Other things to think about when selecting your hobby:

Is It Challenging?

Try to find a hobby that has a continuous learning curve. You don’t want the curve to be too steep for it to take you years to get good at the activity. You do want it to be something where you can progressively get better.

Is It Based On One Of Your Strengths?

When starting a hobby, it’s great to pick something that is aligned with your strengths. Consider, if you’re naturally inclined to be artistic, then an artsy-craftsy hobby might be great for you. If you are naturally quantitative, then something that is mathematically challenging could be right for you. If, on the other hand, you are a deep introvert and do not enjoy going out with people, then hobbies that require social interaction such as bar and dancing or bridge may not be the best choice. Choose something that aligns with your strengths. A hobby is all about you and what you enjoy. Be sure to think about your current fitness level, your education, your finances, and your passions as you select this new activity.

What’s The Budget?

There are plenty of hobbies that you can do for free, and there are others that are more expensive. The discretionary income that you have should help to inform what are your new hobby is. You don’t want to choose a hobby that it’s going to cost you an extra thousand dollars a month if you don’t have that to spare. The great news is most hobbies are on the spectrum, and you can usually start for fairly cheap. Even if you choose photography as a hobby, you can use the smartphone that you have today to get started — no need to purchase additional equipment.

Hobbies To Try 

During Your Commute 

Learning a language

Learning a language can only benefit you in this global world. If you’ve ever wanted to learn a new language, the time to start is now. And with just 10 to 20 minutes a day, you truly can. There are tons of apps out there now that can help you to learn a language as you commute. Duolingo is one of my favorites.

Online Games 

Online gaming isn’t just for kids. Well, you’re not going to have an entire Xbox system with you on your commute. However, you can do crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or other interactive games like Words With Friends while you sit on the subway or bus.

Knitting, Needlepoint, Crocheting 

You can do arts and crafts while you’re commuting. Knitting, needlepoint, and crocheting do not take up a lot of space and are great to do when you are seated. 

Audio Books That Teach You About Your Hobby

OK, so this isn’t actually a hobby, but it is an opportunity to practice and hone whatever skills you are developing during your hobby. You can listen to audiobooks, podcasts, or even watch YouTube videos that will help you to develop whichever hobby you choose.

Great For Family 

Gardening

Gardening is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy. The great news is gardening doesn’t mean you have to have a plot of land that you can sell. You could simply become a gardener by putting a few potted herbs in your home and tending to them regularly with your family. The great news about this one is that you can also do it on your own, very easily, while the kids are otherwise occupied. Catch the bonuses – if you choose to garden herbs, vegetables, or fruit, you can even cut down on your grocery bill.

Painting

Painting can be super fun. There’s a reason why these late-night, drink wine, and paint activities are all the rage. It’s because it’s fun. Painting is an amazing creative outlook, and if you look over the mindset that you need to be the next day and go, you really can enjoy it. It’s low-cost to get started. All you need is paper, a few paintbrushes, and a set of paint, and an idea that you want to put on the paper. This is something enjoyable that you can do with your family or on your own.

If you’re planning to do this with your family, you could pick a theme for each week. Then on Saturday morning rather than sitting in front of the TV watching cartoons paint the theme. A few ideas to get started are each family member can paint their favorite flower, their favorite memory, their dream vacation destination, or everyone can paint the family pet.

Hiking

Exercise is good for the soul and the family. If you have easy access to the outdoors, then hiking could be an enjoyable hobby for you and your family. The good news is to start all you need is a pair of sneakers and a jacket, if it’s chilly. Part of the fun with this hobby isn’t just a hike but also planning for it. If, as a family, you want to go hiking every Sunday afternoon, then you could take some time a couple of evenings during the week to look at different trails and as a family discuss where to hike and what to do after. An ice cream stop after a long hike is good fun no matter what age.

Baking/Cooking

Creating together as a family deepens your bond. You don’t have to create arts and crafts you can create food. Honestly, what’s better than making a meal together? Well, for some folks like me that like to plan and prefer to know what’s going on in the kitchen, it can be stressful without preparation. So the idea is you bake/cook only once in a while with a very special recipe. You can take some time to gather all of the family recipes, then talk together about your favorite foods, choose one and then get to it.

Volunteer

It feels good to do good. Volunteering is an excellent way to feel better about yourself, deepen your relationship with your family, and make the world a better place. You could let each family member choose a new place to volunteer every month throughout the year or simply pick one location and visit it regularly as a family.

Late Night Fun 

Refurbishing Furniture

Refurbishing furniture is an awesome hobby to do alone or with someone. You can set-up in your living room or garage, depending on the size of the furniture that you want to refurbish. Plus, you get the option of choosing to keep your completed work or sell it for some extra cash.

Candlemaking 

Who doesn’t love a scented candle? Candlemaking is not hard. You can get a starter kit for around $60 or less and begin making wonderful candles that not only you but also your family can enjoy. 

Creative Writing 

Creative writing is a fantastic way to release the stress and tension of the day. You can write short stories and share them with your partner or just keep them to yourself.

Palm Reading 

Yes, palm reading as a hobby. It’s something that you can learn and get better and better at. It sounds a little quirky, but it could be fun and an interesting activity to do with your partner.

Private Book Club

Create a book club just for two. Take some time to each read the same book or even read to each other.

Take Action 

All right, mama, now you have quite a few ideas of hobbies that can easily work into your busy life. Take a moment to choose one and get started this week. If it’s one that you’re going to be doing with your family talk about it with them tonight and if it’s one that you’re going to be doing alone take some action by blocking the time in your calendar right now. You can download the hobby list below to help you remember all of these ideas and take some notes on what you need to do to get started.

For more self-care tips check out, 14 Things You Can Do Right Now To Feel Less Stressed.

Don’t forget to sign up for my free resource library. You’ll get  free printable worksheets, workbooks, and checklists to help with goal setting, time management and self-care for busy moms.

Take action to start believing in yourself at How To Get Unstuck.

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