Mom, Where Did Your Hobbies Go? (And How to Get Them Back)

You know what’s funny? I used to have hobbies. Actual hobbies.

I read books that weren’t about parenting, discipline strategies, or how to make my child eat vegetables without bribery. I exercised because I wanted to, not because I was chasing a child who ran off with my phone. I wrote for fun, painted, baked, crafted, and did all sorts of things that made me feel like a real, functioning human with interests. Give me a watercolor set and some quiet? I was in my happy place. Mixing colors, splashing paint, making a glorious mess—I lived for it. Anything artsy? Sign me up.

And then? Mom life happened.

Now, my “hobbies” include:

✅ Reheating the same cup of coffee three times before giving up and just drinking it cold.

✅ Attempting to paint for five peaceful minutes before someone yells “Moooom!” like the house is on fire… and it’s just a missing sock.

✅ Watching 10 minutes of a Netflix show before passing out mid-episode like an overworked raccoon.

Somewhere between packing lunches, finding lost socks, and answering the 57th “Mom, where’s my…?” of the day, the things we used to love got quietly shoved to the back of the closet—right next to the jeans we swear we’ll fit into again.

But Here’s the Thing: Hobbies Matter

Not in a “just another thing to put on your to-do list” kind of way. They remind us who we are outside of being a mom, wife, employee, carpool coordinator, bedtime negotiator, and snack distributor. They give us joy, energy, and—let’s be honest—a much-needed mental escape from the chaos.

So how do we get them back?

First, let’s get one thing straight: you don’t need a full day off or a magical 25th hour in the day. You just need to start small. And by small, I mean ridiculously small.

Loved reading? Swap 10 minutes of social media scrolling for a few pages of a book. Used to paint? Doodle on a napkin while your kid does homework (bonus points if they don’t “help” you).Still have that watercolor set stashed in the closet? Pull it out. Let the colors blend, even if it’s just for five peaceful minutes. Loved baking? Let your child be your very messy sous-chef. Sure, you’ll end up with flour in your hair, but that’s a small price to pay. Played an instrument? Dust it off and play one song—badly, if necessary.

The trick is to stop waiting for the “perfect” time because spoiler alert: it’s not coming. You’re never going to suddenly have a three-hour window with zero interruptions (unless you lock yourself in the pantry, which I fully support, by the way).

Your Hobby Comeback Plan: A To-Do List for Moms

✔️ Pick ONE hobby to restart. I know, you’re ambitious. But let’s not get carried away. Start with one, master the art of carving out time for it, and then add more later.

✔️ Find 10-15 minutes in your day. Wake up earlier, use waiting time, swap Netflix or Instagram for something creative. (Yes, scrolling through watercolor tutorials counts as inspiration—but actually painting is the goal.)

✔️ Schedule it like an appointment. If it’s on the calendar, it’s official. Tell your family you have a “meeting” and then go “meet” with your paintbrush, book, or yoga mat.

✔️ Ditch the guilt. Taking time for yourself doesn’t mean you’re neglecting your family. It means you’re refueling so you don’t lose it the next time someone asks, “What’s for dinner?” while staring at a fully stocked fridge.

✔️ Find an accountability buddy. Text a friend and say, “Hey, remember when we used to [insert hobby here]? Let’s actually do it again.” Or at least let’s pretend we’re going to do it and talk about it for six months first.

✔️ Be okay with being a beginner again. Haven’t done something in years? You will be a little rusty. You might be embarrassingly bad at it. That’s okay! The goal isn’t to be perfect—it’s to have fun.

If your old hobby was painting, don’t stress about making a masterpiece. Just enjoy slapping some color on a canvas. If you loved running, don’t expect to sprint like an Olympian on day one. A brisk walk to get coffee counts. If you used to write, don’t feel pressured to produce a bestseller. A sarcastic journal entry about your toddler’s negotiation skills is a great place to start.

Final Thought: Your Hobbies Are Self-Care, Not a Luxury

Somewhere along the way, we convinced ourselves that hobbies are optional—a nice little bonus if we somehow find the time. But they’re not. They’re what keep us us.

So, consider this your official permission slip to do something just for you. Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s imperfect. Even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time.

You deserve more than just survival mode. You deserve joy, creativity, and moments that belong just to you.

So tell me—what’s a hobby you used to love but haven’t done in forever? Drop it in the comments, and let’s inspire each other to actually start again. ❤️

-Fabi