Motherhood is a beautiful journey filled with love, laughter, and countless rewarding moments. But, amidst the hustle and bustle of caring for little ones, it's easy for us to lose sight of our own needs and interests. Finding a hobby is not just a luxury but a necessity for every mom. And one that we often forget, or put last on our list.
Engaging in a hobby can provide a much-needed sense of balance, joy, and personal fulfillment. It can help define us as a person (not just a mother). Hobbies can provide an outlet for us to explore our own passions and have our own personalities, in addition to the wonder of motherhood.
Discovering a hobby you love is much like finding your brand voice and personality—exploring, expressing, and embracing your true self, and sharing it with others.
Here's why it's essential and how you can find the perfect hobby for you.
Why Hobbies Matter for Moms
Mental Well-Being
Just as a clear brand voice cuts through the noise and offers clarity and authenticity for both the brand and the audience, a hobby provides a mental break for moms (and often clarity). Which will allow you to unwind and focus on something purely for enjoyment -- just for you. It helps recharge your mental batteries, reduce stress, and improve overall mental health.
When was the last time you sat down in silence and read a book, or wrote in a journal. No kidding, the quiet is incredibly healing for this overstimulated Mama.
Personal Identity
A hobby helps you maintain your sense of self, reminding you that you're more than just a mom—you're an individual with unique gifts and aspirations. Similarly, an effective brand voice reflects your brand's unique personality and allows you to share it with those around you.
Physical Health
Many hobbies, like gardening, dancing, or hiking, involve physical activity, which is beneficial for your health. Just as a brand's voice can energize and invigorate its audience, physical hobbies can boost your energy levels and improve your mood.
Gardening is one of my favorite ways to get some sunshine. I love to see things grow (children and plants), and being from Iowa, agriculture is near and dear to my heart. Even my small garden provides me with a few minutes of purpose and sunshine every day.
Social Connections
Hobbies can foster connections. Joining a book club, a crafting group, or a sports team allows you to meet like-minded individuals, building a network of support and friendship outside of your family.
As humans, we crave connections (even us introverts), and real connection is rare in a non-village, digitized world and essential for our nervous systems. Like showing up consistently in your brand voice and personality, finding a social group that shares your passions can mean finding your tribe. Even if you meet only once a month, the connection is lasting.
Setting An Example
Pursuing a hobby sets a positive example for your children. It shows them the importance of self-care, lifelong learning, and balancing responsibilities with personal interests, encouraging them to explore their own passions.
We are all pulled in hundreds of directions every day. It can be so tempting to say "You don't have to go to practice today." But demonstrating commitment for my kids and for myself and helping both of us grow and prioritize where we REALLY want to spend our time -- instead of just following the latest shiny object.
How to Discover Your Perfect Hobby
Reflect on Your Interests
Just as discovering your brand voice involves understanding your core values and passions, finding a hobby starts with thinking about what you enjoy. What activities make you happy? What did you love doing before becoming a mom? Reconnecting with these interests can reignite your passion.
I love to cook. And I used to cook from scratch all the time. Realistically, this season is not my 100% from scratch season. Sorry, I draw the line at figuring out how to shape homemade chicken nuggets into dinosaurs. But I still try to cook from scratch regularly, and try to schedule it into our busy schedule (often after I've had a long day with the kids, and need an hour to myself).
Try New Things
Experimentation can be a great way to find a hobby. The great thing about most hobbies is that you can start with little commitment or investment. Dip your toe in, attend a workshop, take an online class, or join a local group. Sometimes, discovering a new hobby involves trial and error - not dissimilar to perfecting and evolving your brand voice. All of our personalities are shaped and re-shaped over time. You might stumble upon something unexpectedly rewarding.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Choose a hobby that fits into your current lifestyle, just as your brand voice should align with your brand's mission and values, as well as your customer's expectations. If you have limited free time, opt for activities that don't require long hours of commitment. Hobbies like knitting, journaling, or photography can be done in short, enjoyable bursts.
Or if you're an introvert (like me), and overstimulated, then it may not be the time for a social version of your hobby. I love reading, and tried to join several book clubs hoping they would keep me accountable to reading books that I otherwise wouldn't choose. Guess what? Book Club night came along, and all I wanted to do was curl up in my chair and read by myself. Make it fit, make it work. Set yourself up for success.
Combine Interests with Practicality
Some hobbies serve dual purposes. For example, cooking can be a hobby that also benefits your family, or gardening can provide fresh produce for your meals. Not every act of self-care is selfish. And just like your brand's personality needs to both communicate effectively and catch customers' attention, some hobbies can be both practical and enjoyable.
Bonus, if you're in this realm then find a way to make your everyday tasks a bit more enjoyable. Maybe you would enjoy cooking a bit more if you tried a new recipe once a week. Or, if you're OK with cleaning -- take it up a notch by listening to your favorite podcast or audiobook (or dance music) while you're cleaning. You're so close -- grab that moment of fun!
Involve Your Family
Sometimes, hobbies can be enjoyed together with your children -- let's be real, they are part of your community right now. Activities like biking, baking, or crafting can be a fun way to bond with your kids while indulging in your interests. However, having hobbies that are just for you is equally important, giving you that much-needed personal time.
I often involve my kids in baking or other meal prep activities, and my son is a master hole digger and waterer in the garden. But there are moments when I need these hobbies for myself as well.
Set Realistic Goals
Please don't put too much pressure on yourself to master a hobby right away. The goal is to enjoy the journey, not to add more stress to your life. Trial and error isn't a failure, it's a learning. Enjoy the experimentation and celebrate that you took some time for yourself.
Finding a hobby is self-care for moms. It nurtures your mental and physical well-being, helps maintain your identity, and sets a positive example for your children. By reflecting on your interests, trying new things, and integrating hobbies into your lifestyle, you can discover a passion that brings joy and balance to your life.
Discovering a hobby you love is much like finding your brand voice—exploring, expressing, and embracing your true self. Both processes are essential for creating a happy, fulfilling life and a successful, authentic brand. As you nourish your spirit with a hobby, you'll find better equipped to nurture your family and create a harmonious home.
Embrace the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow through hobbies. And let me know about your next hobby!
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