Facing the same routine and tasks each day can be boring and monotonous so hobbies are powerful creative outlets for moms. After I had my first child, I was desperate to find something else to occupy my day besides feeding and caring for a newborn. I searched all over for ideas of things for new moms to do at home. I came to realize that there are many benefits of hobbies for mental health and that was my main inspiration for a new hobby. I was struggling with my mental health after I had my first baby and so it was a smart decision to find a hobby. Let me show you how to find a hobby or a passion that can instantly make your life more joyful and fulfilling.
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I think being a mother is kind of like being Bill Murray in the movie, “Groundhogs Day.”
Remember, that one? He wakes up every day only to relive the same day over and over.
As a mom, you also wake up each morning to face the same routine and tasks as you did the day before, especially with a newborn. It can seem like you are living the same day over and over. I think you know what I am talking about, right?
I knew I needed something fun to look forward to in each of my days as a stay-at-home mom. A hobby seemed like the perfect option for me because, as a child, I had many fond memories of crafting. My mom even let me keep a plastic container of craft supplies and “odds and ends” under my bed.
Finding inspiration for a new hobby wasn’t hard at all. I have always loved jewelry and learning how to design and make was fun and I believe literally saved my sanity.
The tasks of motherhood never truly get completed. Having a hobby allows me to complete something. I make a bracelet one day. The next day I wake up and the bracelet is still made!
I believe creative outlets for moms are a sure-fire way to find joy and be able to appreciate motherhood without feeling like you have lost yourself in it.
The Best Hobbies for Moms List
- Knitting
- Crocheting
- Genealogy
- Calligraphy/Hand Lettering
- Adult Coloring
- Paper Crafts (with Cricut Machine or Silhouette Machine)
- Vinyl Crafts
- Jewelry Making (Beaded and Woven)
- Jewelry Making (Hand Stamping)
- Floral Arranging
- Writing (Poems, Short Stories, Books)
- Playing a Musical Instrument
- Reading
- Journaling
- Bullet Journaling
- Bible Studies
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Cycling
- Pilates
- Cooking/Creating Recipes
- Cake Decorating
- Cookie Decorating
- Sewing
- Quilting
- Gardening
- Photography
- Stained Glass Art
- Ceramics/Pottery
- Sculpting
- Cross-stitch
- Embroidery
- Jigsaw Puzzles
- Antiquing
- Resale/Upcycling
- Origami
- Leather Crafts
- Candle-Making
- Soap-Making
- Scrapbooking
- Building Doll Houses and Miniatures
- Whittling
- Digital Art/Graphic Design
- 3-D Printing
- Furniture Restoration
- Felting
- Screen Printing
- Lace-Making
- Wood-Burning
- Drawing
- Watercolor Painting
- Oil Painting
- Acrylic Painting
- Learn a new language
- Pen-making (My son learned how to do this in his woodshop elective at school)
- Singing
- Record Youtube videos and start a Youtube channel
- Start a Podcast
- Learn to make Jewelry out of PMC clay (I started my first business with this skill)
- Make little girl’s hairbows
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Common Myths about Hobbies
Before we talk about how to find a hobby or passion, let’s first talk about the most common myths about hobbies that may keep you from starting one or enjoying the ones you have.
Hobby Myth #1: You have to be “creative” to have a hobby.
One of the biggest misconceptions about hobbies is that you have to be a creative type of person to do them. That could not be further from the truth. The best hobbies for moms are things that you pursue because you enjoy it. You don’t have to be good at it; there is no competition with hobbies. And believe it or not—you don’t have to produce something for it to be considered a hobby. Although many hobbies lend themselves to finished projects, I can assure you I have just as many “unfinished” projects stowed away as I have completed ones!
When you are looking for inspiration for a new hobby, you should look beyond the typical “crafting hobbies” that may first come to your mind. There are many other choices for hobbies. Check out The Mega-List of Hobby Ideas for examples of unique hobbies and outdoor hobbies that you may have never heard of–
Hobby Myth #2: Hobbies are selfish and frivolous.
As moms, we often think we have to have a “real” excuse for spending time doing something we enjoy. We sometimes feel guilty engaging in an activity (like a hobby or something we are passionate about) if we don’t have “something to show for it.” But the benefits of hobbies for mental health are backed by scientific studies and are proven to be an effective self-care activity.
When I was struggling with my mental health when my first child was a baby, my psychiatrist told me I should take 2 hours each day for myself (by myself)-to do something I enjoy and allows me to relax. Well, 2 hours each day is a bit on the absurd side for any mom, but I could do my hobby during the day with my child still with me.
Hobby Myth #3: You should try to make money with your hobby.
Often times you see articles on “The Best Hobbies for Moms to Make Money” or “How to Turn Your Hobby into a Profitable Business.” While choosing a hobby that has the potential for you to earn money is a good choice for some moms, don’t feel like you have to turn your hobby into a business. I fell into the trap of feeling like my hobby had to provide something of value other than just a creative outlet for me.
After my first child was born, I discovered that I loved making jewelry and friends and family really seemed to like my designs. To feel like I was not “wasting time” during the day, I decided to start a jewelry business. After jumping in with both feet (because that is the only way I seem to do things), I soon realized that I was no longer focusing on being a mom—my son noticed too. I decided to put the business on hold and have more children
How are hobbies “Sanity Savers?”
There are many examples of things for new moms to do at home beside the usual “homemaking” duties. While being a good wife and mother is very fulfilling, hobbies can help you to find more joy in life and actually make you appreciate being a stay-at-home mom even more.
1. Hobbies Allow You to Explore a Passion
How to find a hobby or
2. Hobbies Give You a Sense of Purpose
Let’s face it. Being a mom is all-encompassing, whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a work-at-home mom, or a mom who works outside the home. It is sometimes hard to remember that being a mom is only a part of who we are, not the complete sum. While mothering your children is one of THE most important things you will ever do, it is not the ONLY important thing you can do. And, remembering that we have many other talents and gifts to contribute to the world, gives us a fuller sense of purpose.
3. Hobbies Help You Grow Deeper in Understanding Yourself
A hobby allows you to explore aspects of who you are and gain more insight and understanding of yourself. By exploring new things, you may discover a talent or an interest you did not know was there.
Gifts to Start Hobbies Make Great Mother’s Day Gifts!
4. Hobbies Provide a Way to Disengage from the Stress and Struggles of Life
I feel there is a great connection between my hobbies and my sanity. In fact, looking back, my hobbies have gotten me through some of the most difficult times with my depression and anxiety.By focusing on something other than the stress and struggles of life, my mind is occupied and there is simply less time to fret.
By focusing on something other than the stress and struggles of life, my mind is occupied and there is simply less time to fret.
Why not ask for starter hobby kits for your next birthday, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or Christmas? If you know what hobby you want to start, you could also put supplies and tools for that hobby on a gift list. You can even create wish lists on Amazon that links to specific products you want and share that list with family and friends!
After my fourth child was born, I spent a lot of time sewing. Looking back, I realize that was a life-saver getting me through those sleepless nights. Or I guess I should say those sleepless days. The time between when I got up in the morning and went to bed at night went by so much faster because I was doing something I enjoyed. If I had just been sitting around wishing for the day to go by I probably would have collapsed from exhaustion and felt immense frustration that I could not crawl into my bed!
Being a stay at home mom was all I ever wanted to be growing up. I went to college and got a degree because I knew I should be able to support myself.
Luckily, I am able to be a stay at home mom and have been for the past 12 years. I always laugh and think, “This is the only job I have never wanted to quit!” And while that is true, it is a job that overwhelms me sometimes and I can’t seem to get away from!
Hobbies to the rescue!
I have tried many of the hobbies and have found very few I don’t like. In fact, there are many more I would like to learn. (Want to find out about more choices for hobbies? I have put together a list of hobbies ideas you can read about HERE.)
You can learn many new skills and hobbies taking bite-size inexpensive courses through Udemy.
Often times when you start a new hobby you search for tutorials. I have researched and put together a list of some of the BEST BEGINNER HOBBY TUTORIALS. I created a PDF with links to all of these tutorials. Click the button below to get access to download this FREEBIE!
P.S. Would you do me a favor and pin “Best Hobbies for Moms to Save Your Sanity for later?