If I look back on the last five years, the onlyescribe them is “full.” honest way to d
Full of joy, chaos, growth, exhaustion, and constant motion. In that time, I had four pregnancies and three babies, lived through a global pandemic, started a new job, left that job, and started again at a different company. I decided, somehow, that it was a good idea to go back to school for my MBA and launch a small thrifting and reselling business during all of that. All while trying to be a present mom, a good partner, and a decent friend.
Looking back, it’s not surprising that something had to give. That something was my hobbies. Grad school over the last two years was the biggest culprit, and then having a newborn. Every extra hour I had went to coursework, group projects, breastfeeding, and bedtime routines. The “free time” I used to reserve for things I loved slowly disappeared. I stopped reading for fun, and the book club fell off my calendar. Working out became something I talked about instead of doing. Friendships shifted, and I couldn’t put the extra effort into building on the ones I had previously worked to lay the foundation for. And while I don’t regret a single step, it still sucked.
Not in a dramatic way. In a quiet, slow fade kind of way. The kind where you don’t even notice it happening until one day you realize you are missing out on things, and it feels like people have moved on without you. I had serious FOMO.
In 2026, I’m not in survival mode anymore. School is done. My career feels more settled. I’m going to finish breastfeeding. The kids are all sleeping through the night (I better not jinx this by putting it in writing). I’m not constantly bracing for the next big thing. And for the first time in a while, I can see space to add things back in.
So I’ve decided: 2026 is the year I get my hobbies back. Not because everything is “perfect,” but because I matter, too, and if I don’t start carving the space now, I might lose this opportunity.
For me, that looks like:
- Reading again and going to book club
- Moving my body because it makes me feel strong and grounded
- Saying yes to activities with girlfriends
Nothing flashy. Nothing extreme. Just intentional.
Helping Other Moms Find (or Reclaim) Their Hobbies
If you’re reading this, thinking I don’t even know what my hobbies are anymore, you’re not alone. That’s incredibly common, especially after years of caregiving, career-building, or just getting through hard seasons.
Here are five things to ask yourself if you’re trying to form a new hobby or bring an old one back.
- How Much Time Do I Actually Have?
This is the most important question and the one we often skip.
Be honest. Not aspirational.
If you only have 30 minutes once or twice a week, your hobby has to fit that. This is where goals matter: specific, realistic, and sustainable. A hobby that requires two uninterrupted hours every day will probably fail, and that’s not a personal flaw.
- What Did I Love Before Life Got Busy?
Think back before kids, before burnout, before responsibilities piled up.
Did you love reading? Painting? Running? Writing? Even if it doesn’t look the same now, it can still count. Hobbies don’t have to evolve into side hustles or self-improvement projects. They can exist simply because you enjoyed them once.
- Do I Want This Hobby to Energize Me or Calm Me?
Some hobbies give energy. Others help you decompress.
Working out might fire you up. Reading might help you slow down. Knowing what you need right now helps narrow the options and prevents you from choosing something that sounds good but doesn’t actually serve you.
- Can This Hobby Flex With My Life?
The best hobbies for busy seasons are flexible ones.
If you miss a week, can you pick it right back up? Can it be done at home or adjusted when life gets chaotic? A hobby that requires perfection or consistency at all costs is likely to become another source of stress.
- Am I Willing to Be Bad at This at First?
This one matters more than we admit.
A lot of us avoid hobbies because we’re used to being competent. Hobbies require beginner energy, and that can feel uncomfortable. Give yourself permission to be bad, rusty, slow, or inconsistent. The joy comes from doing, not excelling.
Reclaiming hobbies isn’t about adding another task to your to-do list. It’s about remembering that you’re allowed to enjoy things simply because they make you feel like yourself again. For me, 2026 isn’t about transformation. It’s about reconnection.
If you’re in a season where your hobbies feel far away, let this be your reminder: they’re not gone. They’re just waiting for you to come back.
