As a busy parent, we understand that you have so much to do to the point where you feel as though there is not a single ounce of time for anything else. It’s sad that this is the reality for a lot of parents, but it is the reality and it’s something that has got to be dealt with. However, being busy doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make time for yourself and work on bringing some joy into your life.
Having said that, everyone deserves a hobby as this will hopefully help to bring some happiness back into your life, even though you’re constantly busy. If you don’t know where to start with choosing a new hobby, then you’re in the right place. Down below, we’re going to be taking a quick look into a range of different fantastic hobby options for those busy parents! Do you want to know more? Feel free to read on.
Yoga
We’re going to start by looking at yoga as a fantastic option. The great thing about this is that it can be done at any time of the day if you’re doing it by yourself rather than attending a class. However, if you do want to attend a class, then we strongly recommend that you try to find one that suits your timetable, else you might feel as though you’re not able to take part in the hobby at all.
You can teach yourself yoga though by following some of the guides online and the workout videos that you see. This way, you can plan your yoga time around all of the stuff that you have to do, ensuring that you are finding this time for yourself. It might mean that you have to wake up a little earlier in the morning, or go to bed a little later at night, but we promise that it’s all going to be worth it when you’re feeling better than you have in ages.
Quick Workouts
Next, you should think about exploring quick workouts. You might think that to get benefits of working out, then you need to spend hours in the gym. However, this is not the case and instead, you could try a three minute workout. If you exercise with the right intensity, then three minutes is all you really need to see fantastic results. For instance, you can try HIT training programs. This is particularly useful if you are focusing on toning rather than building more muscle or losing serious amounts of weight. This isn’t the only quick exercise that you can fit into a typical daily routine. For instance, you might want to explore a possibility like desk yoga. This is something that you can do in your home office or even while you are at work. The possibilities are endless.
Last but not least, you might also want to think about incorporating exercise into your daily routine. For instance, rather than driving, you could cycle or even walk to work. This is just one possibility worth exploring.
Cooking
Have you ever thought about taking cooking up as a hobby? We know that it’s something that you have to do every single day so that you and your family are fed, but in this capacity you might not find it enjoyable. That could be more because you see it as a necessity, rather than something that you could potentially enjoy, which is sucking all of the fun out of it.
If you’re not the world’s best cook and you want to try and improve, then you can always take cooking classes to improve your skills. Who knows, once you actually feel like you know what you are doing, and you gain some confidence in your culinary skills, you might find that you enjoy it a lot more, and would like to do it more often. Cooking does not have to be something that you only do at meal times, especially if it’s something that you want to enjoy.
Games
Gaming has got a pretty bad reputation at the moment, and has done for some time. The thing that you’ve got to try and remember though is that you can’t always go by what the media say, and as they are the ones demonizing all kinds of gaming, it’s not something that you should be listening to. Gaming itself is not a bad thing, as long as you watch out for the signs of gaming addiction which are most common in those who play video games. Again, that’s not to say that those who play these games are going to get addicted, for most people it’s just an enjoyable way to pass the time.
But, there are so many types of games, so if video games don’t sound like they would be something that you are interested in, that’s okay. You can look into strategy based games such as chess if you want to give your brain a workout on a regular basis, or you can play board games with your family. As long as it brings joy to your life and it’s something that you want to do regularly, that’s what matters.
Gardening
Another option worth thinking about is gardening. Gardening is a fantastic choice if you are keen to embrace the alfresco lifestyle and spend more time outdoors. It will provide significant wellness benefits because you’ll spend more time out in the sun and surrounded by fresh air. So, where should you start when taking up gardening? Well, if you have never tried this hobby before, then it’s worth noting that it might not be quite as easy as you first thought. That said, there are plenty of videos online that are going to be perfect for beginners. You can then try some more exciting possibilities like building your own water feature in your backyard.
Reading
Despite what many people seem to think, reading is a hobby, and it’s a fantastic one. Being able to get lost in a book, in another world, and the life of people who are not you is an incredible experience. Of course, it’s not for everyone, but nothing is. If you are someone who can put yourself in the story, and live the life of those in the book, feel the feelings that they are experiencing, then reading can be a life changing experience.
One of the best things about reading is that you can do it anywhere, at any point where you’ve got some spare time as long as you have your book with you! You’ve got an hour to kill? Great, you can get your book out. You’ve only got ten minutes? That’s enough for a chapter.
Knitting/Crochet
When you are busy it can be nice to sit down and relax when you have some spare time. Knitting and crochet are very different while also being somewhat similar, however, knitting can be slightly easier to do. If you have never done this before but are keen to learn then you can use books or you could follow along to step by step videos online. You can create some amazing things with balls of wool and needles.
Puzzles
If you love puzzles then this could be a great hobby. Puzzles are very therapeutic and can instantly bring a sense of calm and relaxation. If you want something to do once the kids are in bed then sit down with a nice cup of tea or even a glass of wine to start a puzzle. You can do puzzles based on your interests, such as traveling or nature. You might also like to challenge yourself and do those impossible puzzles that take days, sometimes even weeks to complete.
If you are on a budget then you could look at thrift stores to see what sort of puzzles you can pick up there, just be sure that they are complete. Typically thrift stores and second hand stores will inform you of missing pieces as someone has completed them already.
Jewelry Making
Finally, you might want to think about exploring an option like jewelry making. Jewelry making is a great choice if you love working with your hands and using small instruments. It’s very delicate work but it is also incredibly rewarding because you’ll be able to use the jewelry you create. This could be a great way to give your personal style a unique flair and guarantee that you stand out from everyone else. Of course, it could also be the start of a fantastic new business venture, allowing you to sell your jewelry for a fantastic profit. It’s a great example of how a new hobby can easily become a side hustle before transforming into a fully fledged business, providing you with much-desired career freedom.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you should take if you are interested in exploring a new hobby as a busy parent. Remember, there are lots of different reasons why this is a great choice. First, it will help you gain some much-needed ‘me time.’ It could also provide you with a great way to relax and destress which could be incredibly helpful after a particularly busy day with your kids.
