How to find Personal Hobbies as a Parent
Here’s how to find personal hobbies once you become a parent.
25/02/2019
Before having kids, most parents had the time to do the things that they loved. Once kids enter the picture, most of us push our passions to the wayside. Interests and hobbies take a backseat to what the kids need. Doing what we love is what makes us alive as humans and as parents. Holding onto the things that we love is important. It keeps us balanced, so here’s how to find personal hobbies once you become a parent.
1. What did you like to do when you were a kid?
Did you like to go sledding when you were young? If you did, then you might enjoy taking up downhill skiing or cross-country skiing if downhill seems a tad too intense. If climbing trees was more your thing, then you might enjoy spending time in an indoor rock-climbing gym. Perhaps, you were the kind of child who collected baseball cards or coins. In this case, starting a watch collection may be right up your alley. Or, if you were a gymnast in school, you may like taking up yoga or a dance class.
2. Do a little soul searching.
A little soul searching will help you choose a hobby. Often, as adults and parents, everyday life distracts us from what we’re passionate about and from the thing that we’d like to do. To choose a hobby, start by taking 10 minutes for yourself every morning. During this time, sit quietly and breathe slowly and naturally. Once you’re in this meditative state, ask yourself what you want to do. Be sure to wait for the answer.
3. Consider what you like to do with your kids.
Instead of focusing on the things that give your kids a thrill like going to theme parks or trampoline gyms, hone in on the activities that give you joy. This may be sharing your love of flowers with them when you stroll through a botanical garden or helping them put together puzzles. If you enjoy these activities with your kids, then turn them into a hobby. For instance, with flowers, you may enjoy planting a garden, or if you lack outdoor space, then you may have fun building a small fairy garden. With puzzles, purchase larger, more challenging ones that you can put together alone after the kids go to bed.
4. Think about somewhere you want to go
If the kids weren’t weighing in on a family activity, where would you want to go? Would you want to go on a long drive and take pictures? Or, maybe the first place that comes to mind is a hike up a mountain. Taking regular long drives can be therapeutic and a great way to recharge. It can also turn into a picture-taking hobby. Take your camera on your drives and look for amazing scenery that you can add to your portfolio. If hiking is more your jam, then start searching for short, local hikes that you can do on a Saturday. This will get you away from your to-do list and help you build your stamina and strength.
5. Visualize something that you’d like to create
Choose a hobby based on something creative. You may want to paint, learn how to play an instrument or write. Cooking is creative as is dancing. While our passions are always satisfying, creative ones produce a special kind of fulfillment. As you start contemplating hobbies, ask yourself what you would do if time wasn’t a factor. Once that thing has come to mind, do some version of it. Try to find the time to participate in the junior version of your creative hobby. For instance, if making pottery has always piqued your interest, then sign up for a one-time class. If you want to write, then start a blog or begin writing down your thoughts in a journal. The plan is to feel good while you’re embracing your hobby.
Rediscovering Yourself
Parenthood is a wonderful thing. When you have kids, you get the chance to revel in childhood. However, it can all-encompassing. In fact, many of us lose who we are when we become parents. Prevent this by taking up the hobby that you’ve always wanted to try.