Five fun and restorative hobbies for busy mums (that have nothing to do with your kids)
Mums give so much of themselves to their family that any downtime they get can be spent doing nothing much.
This is fine in small doses, but having a hobby to occupy your time is also important, especially if it doesn’t directly involve the kids.
With that in mind, here are some ideas to consider trying if you want to restore balance to your daily schedule and feel more like your old self again.
Discover your creative side with scrapbooking
Have you ever considered the art of scrapbooking? It’s an amazing hobby that combines creativity, memory keeping and relaxation.
Here are some starter tips:
- First, decide what type of scrapbook fits your style, whether that’s digital or physical.
- Collect materials such as photos, stickers, decorative paper and memorabilia for the pages inside.
- Choose a theme for your scrapbook to keep it cohesive. This could be based on events (like family holidays) or just about any specific phase in life.
- Don’t forget essentials like adhesive tools (glue or double-sided tape), decorative scissors for fancy edges.
Not only will this hobby provide quiet time to reflect and create beautiful albums but also create a treasure trove of memories for years to come.
Words With Friends: A fun, social word game
Digital hobbies shouldn’t be overlooked! Words with Friends is a popular online crossword game that lets you put your vocabulary and strategy skills against friends or strangers.
What makes it wonderful for busy mums is that games can be left and returned to as time permits throughout the day.
If you need some help finding words during gameplay, don’t worry. With the help of a word-finding tool for Words with Friends you can get over this initial learning curve and come up with winning combos that you might not otherwise have spotted. So give it a try if you’re eager to enjoy a fun, mentally stimulating escape from the daily routine.
Revitalize your senses with gardening
This hobby is special as it seamlessly blends physical activity, creativity, and serenity, while also offering the delight of watching your work grow.
When getting started:
- Evaluate your available space. You could use outdoor garden beds or indoor pots.
- Decide on what you want to plant, whether that’s flowers for beauty, vegetables for eating, or a calming mix of both.
- Purchase basic tools. Start simple with gloves, a trowel, and perhaps a watering can.
- Soil preparation matters! Whether in ground or pot-bound plants require quality soil.
The best part is that if gardening is done mindfully (and maybe even rather messily), it can offer tranquility that few other hobbies match. They’re not kidding when they call it nature therapy.
Cook yourself calm: Exploring new and delicious recipes
Cooking can be therapeutic, soothing to the senses, and incredibly fulfilling. From creating hearty meals to crafting delicate pastries or exploring cuisines from around the globe, cooking brings endless potential for creativity.
Here are some suggested recipe categories to try:
- A comforting bowl of homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.
- An exotic Thai Green Curry for an adventurous palate.
- A basic bread recipe if you’re up for a fun challenge.
- Homemade pizza if you’d like some leeway with ingredients.
- Decadent chocolate brownies for satisfying that sweet tooth.
Remember, it’s more about enjoying the process than achieving perfection or speed. So put on your favourite tunes, apron up and make magic in your kitchen! You might even inspire a family taste-test tradition after every new dish attempt.
Try a book club: Expand your literary horizons
Tapping into the world of literature can provide an escape and mental booster. Starting or joining a book club offers not only exposure to exhilarating reads but also stimulating conversations and new friendships.
Here’s how you can dive in:
- Look for existing clubs in your locality or online platforms like Goodreads.
- If you prefer starting one, brainstorm suitable meeting places (like homes, cafes, or online meetings).
- Decide the frequency of meets – once fortnightly perhaps?
- Select diverse genres/themes to keep it interesting.
This hobby combines reading pleasure with socializing seamlessly, so it’s perfect for any mum seeking intellectual stimulation while engaging her community spirit.
Find a hobby that connects with your passions
Ultimately, a good hobby is one that connects with your passions. However, you may need to try a lot of different things before you find one that you love, so don’t limit yourself!
