8 Simple Mom Hobbies

Hobby (noun): an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.

Mom Hobby (noun): hahahahaha; LOL; also see “unicorn”. 

(insert laughter here)

The actual idea of a mom making AND taking time for herself to engage in a hobby can be near fiction.  I have joked with friends that Mom Hobbies are like regular hobbies, but ya know, harder.   

While moms (and dads) are still human beings and should be allotted the opportunity to engage in an activity that interests them, it can be a real challenge to make such a reality.  

Lord only knows how slowly I read a book because I can’t take the time every day to read my current novel.  And anything that requires more than a moment of focus to complete means that it has to actually be scheduled in the calendar and necessitate childcare to complete (I’m lookin’ at you Crafty Hobbies).

Are you a mama and in need of a little time to remind yourself of the interests that used to spark joy in you before you devoted your life to raising babies OR you are in the market for something new? Here’s a list of hobbies compiled by myself and my mom friends to reinvigorate you (in other words, we gotchu girrrrrl).

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Sweat It Out

It is no surprise that moms like to break a sweat.  Getting regular exercise increases endorphins, builds strength, and increases your MILF status (ha, just kidding…maybe…).  

Since the 80’s, moms getting their bodies moving has been celebrated.  I didn’t really start exercising regularly until after my first daughter was born and it has been a real game-changer for me. I feel more confident and have grown to be as accepting as I’m gonna be of the cellulite on my ass.  

The gym has become a happy place for me, and that feels really good.  Pilates and yoga are absolutely included (and if you think that yoga can’t make you build strength and break a sweat, you haven’t found the right class).

Girl, Get Outside

Walking, hiking, and riding outdoors are some of the most calming activities a mom can do.  Mother Nature is a mom herself, so you know she’s going to take care of you.  

Embracing the beauty of the world around us helps me to set some perspective and prioritize.  I have never gone outside for an activity and regretted it.  Ever.  (And that’s even after tearing my ACL completely apart during a hike.  Still zero regrets.) 

Zone Out

I would be a big fat liar if I told you that sitting on the couch and watching HOURS of my shows during a binge sesh did not bring me joy.  

I remember being able to watch shows in my living room at any time of the day or night, at any volume that I damn well pleased, without having to consider the subject matter or colorful language.  

Certain shows, movies, and my early 2000s gangsta rap have been reserved for times when little eyes are closed and little ears are turned off, but I would pay good money for an entire weekend of screen time FOR MYSELF, snacks included.

Sleeping Through The Night

‘Nuff said.  (And then moms everywhere all laughed together at the reality of this “hobby”…)

KEEPIN IT REAL

Overall, finding time to rediscover (or freshly discover) the things that you love IS NOT EASY.  

Do me a favor and read that one more time.  

Crafty Af

There are some moms out there with some major skills.  Some that I know are so good at their “hobbies” that they have turned them into successful businesses. 

While I enjoy a good Pinterest project myself, sometimes the idea of even starting is daunting since I know that any craft project I’m about to engage in needs me to actually focus on it, oftentimes at length.  

HOWEVER, I do love the end product of something that I made with my own two hands.  Crocheting, knitting, painting, sewing, and overall engaging in something artsy can result in a rad product and a happy mama.

Mom To The Extreme

There are some *really* cool moms out there, and their hobbies are as rad as they are.  Admittedly, I only wish I were cool enough to have roller derby, skateboarding, and rock climbing as my hobbies, but alas, NOPE. 

If you are the type of mom that is familiar with extreme sports, ALL MY PROPS TO YOU.  I’m not that cool, but I’m cool with that.  You’re my idols.  

Chill 

These mom hobbies are those that invoke a sense of calm and peace: Reading, writing, photography, cooking, playing a musical instrument, and singing allow a mom to zen out.  One of my favorite things (and super nerdy, I’ll admit) to do is to put a puzzle together.  

I let my kids help (which is not always the most chill experience, FYI), but they really do enjoy doing it with me and I really enjoy getting lost putting the pieces together.

Friends

Ok, rare is the occasion when I actually get to just hang out with friends, with or without our kids…HOWEVER, it totally and completely fills my soul.  

I’m not just talking “mom friends” here either.  ANY friends are nice to hang with, even if it is just a phone call.  It’s just nice connecting with another adult human being and hearing how their life is going.  

It pulls me out of the tornado that I live in and I have NEVER regretted time spent with a friend.

You Deserve You Time

It is almost easier at times to get completely consumed in my children and all of the day-to-day tasks that require me to pay attention to them…but then I forget who *I* am and what *I* like.  

About two months ago, I had about three hours all to myself, unexpectedly…do you know what I did with that free time??  I WENT GROCERY SHOPPING.  

I didn’t know what I wanted to do or what I even could do without my kids, so I didn’t do anything but errands (which was still nice to do solo, but not my point).  I was lost.  I didn’t know what I would even *want* to do with that amount of time, and so I essentially wasted the *me* time.  

If you are able to carve time out in your schedule to ignite a flame within yourself by doing something that you enjoy *that is not MOM related*, then by all means, git ‘er done.  You have earned it. No, you DESERVE it, and it would really be a disservice to moms everywhere if you were like me and wasted it.

So help us all out and enjoy yourself with a mom hobby or two.  You won’t regret it.