Why I Love My Hobbies
What do you do during your free time? If you had 2 hours to spare, what would you choose to do?
First of all, I want to talk about all the hobbies I have given up. Seems odd to give UP hobbies, but over the years, I was way over my head in the number of projects I had going on. You see, I enjoy DIYing – to the point that I wanted to make EVERYTHING. It wasn’t just Pinterest that got me trouble. I am not an obsessive pinner, but I found that when I saw a good idea, I wanted to do it right then and there. So I would head out to JoAnn’s with my coupons in hand, and buy the supplies needed. At one point, I was huge into scrapbooking, crocheting, knitting, cardmaking, sewing, and had ambitions to make a quilt. Baking, cooking, and canning were high on the list too, as I did a lot of cooking and baking for larger groups. Before I knew it, I had shelves filled with cookbooks that I never used. I had craft supplies bursting at the edges of my bins. I had more projects that I had supplies for, than time to do them.
I found myself feeling guilty over not being able to accomplish them all. I felt this pressure (solely put on by my own self) to be this susie-homemaker type. I maybe knew how to do all of these, but did I need to be doing them all at once? All during THIS season of life? What if I waited to get into these hobbies until I had more time to do them (if that ever happened)?
It took moving to another state to realize that all of these ideas for DIYing, really weren’t as pleasant as they used to be. When I had to pack everything up, I wondered why I had so much stuff? So, I started to work on making the projects that I had supplies for and finishing what I had begun. I decided that if I did not love doing it as much as I thought I would, that I would put that hobby aside for awhile. This especially came true when it came to scrapbooking. I had lost an interest in it. I had piles and piles of pictures that I could never keep up on, so I would hurry and try to get a few pages done, without really enjoying it. That is when I figured out that what I love about scrapbooking is the creating a design, but I could accomplish that through cardmaking. I started to research different digital options for scrapbooking and that is when I switched to Blurb.com, and now put all of my pictures into a digital book. It is the perfect alternative for me!
So here are the hobbies that I enjoy doing:
Crocheting – I haven’t picked it up in a little while, but that is something I will always enjoy doing. I enjoy making baby blankets, dish clothes, and really anything that isn’t too complicated! Plus, it’s a great hobby to do while in the car!
Cardmaking – as I said earlier, this is something I really enjoy doing even MORE, now that I am not scrapbooking. I can use all of the same supplies – the only difference is not having to print all of those pictures! I try to keep ahead, like make multiple birthday, thank you, and anniversary cards, each time I take my “stuff” out to make them.
Organizing Blog – I would definitely consider this website a hobby, though it became much more than I originally intended! When I first started this organizing blog, I wasn’t quite sure the direction I wanted it to go, but I knew I wanted to share my love for organizing on a broader scale. To be honest, it became a little more time consuming than I imagined, but that isn’t to say that I haven’t enjoyed the process. As you may have noticed, I do not post as often as I used to, but that is because I am soon to be entering into a new chapter of life – motherhood! So while this blog is something I hope to continue, I know that it will add a new dynamic having a newborn!
Fishing – this is the hobby that my husband and I share together. Fishing is our “thing”. Those summer days or nights spent out on our fishing boat, just talking and catching fish, are irreplaceable. Those days have created some of the best memories and that is something we do not want to give up!
Walking/Jogging – I would call this a hobby because it is indeed, something I really enjoy doing! Being active is something I have always enjoyed – not just because I feel better, but because I so enjoy being outside. If it’s raining out and not freezing cold, I can sometimes still be found out there. Getting fresh air, time to think, all while exercising, is definitely worth my time!
Miscellaneous – and then of course you have the random DIY project, sewing idea, Pinterest meal, you name it. If a shirt needs to be mended or if we need curtains in a room, I still enjoy pulling out my sewing machine. Same with cooking and baking – I don’t do it all the time, but enjoy doing it when I can.
How about you? What are your hobbies? What hobbies do you currently have, that you would maybe rather not be doing anymore, but would feel guilty giving up?