In Search of a Hobby

I need a hobby.

When I get home from work, most evenings tend to follow a pattern. It’s just my husband and me now, so we’re not rushing out to school activities or helping with homework anymore. We have this strange luxury of unclaimed time. We take our evenings slow and easy. Enjoy dinner together. Walk the dog. Maybe finish some chores.

Not every evening, but far too often, I find myself doomscrolling on my devices with some show in the background during that last hour (sometimes two!) before we head to bed. It’s never my intention. I have goals. We have dreams. But that couch just sucks me in, and the next thing I know, I’ve seen more videos and read more posts than anyone should! I tell myself it’s mindless relaxation, but I think it’s actually rotting my brain!

When I say I need a hobby, I’m not talking about anything like mahjong or pickleball. Those activities are hot right now, but they require other people, schedules, and going somewhere. All of that goes against every part of my hobby wish list. I want something I can pick up any evening or weekend afternoon. Something I can do by myself. Something that feeds my curiosity and creativity.

I enjoy things like reading and writing. Non-fiction is my favorite genre to read, especially biographies. As for writing, well, there’s this blog. Admittedly, I’m not as good at keeping up with the blog as I used to be, but I always have writing ideas percolating. I tend to keep a pen and paper, the Notes app on my phone, or a computer ready for writing everything from shopping lists and reminders to emails, old-school letters, and texts. Those don’t really count as creative, but they’re necessary forms of writing.

There’s a trend for analog or “Grandma” hobbies, meaning screen-free activities, and I love the idea. I’ve started watching beginner videos to see which ones appeal to me most. I’ve watched videos about people knitting, painting, crocheting, journaling, gardening, and making things I didn’t even know I could make. Which means, ironically, I’m using my screen time to research how to spend less time on screens.

I’ve read articles about baking and cooking. Let’s be honest. Neither of those activities is on my list of potential hobbies. Yes, the end results are tasty. But nothing about cooking or baking feels relaxing to me. I’m not confident in the kitchen, so I’m already taking those off the table.

Another article focused on activities like hiking or running, which I already love. They’re in my physical fitness bucket, not my relaxing hobby one. I’ll keep putting on those shoes, hitting the trails, and counting it as exercise.

Puzzles are a great option, except you have to set aside space for the puzzle until it’s finished. Word puzzles are fun, and they don’t require the dining room table.

I’ve painted rocks and done watercolor on greeting cards. Those activities are creative but messy! Painting involves a lot of prep work and cleanup, even though the end results are great. I’ve given the rocks to students or tucked them away as little surprises around town for people to find. Watercolor greeting cards also serve a purpose: I get to send a little piece of me in the envelope.

A couple of years ago, I actually bought knitting needles and yarn. I had visions of learning how to make cute beanies or scarves. I think I know where I put the needles and yarn, but don’t hold me to that.

I think that’s where I’m stuck when it comes to finding a new hobby. What would I do with my creations? I don’t want a bunch of stuff piling up. I’m not looking for a hobby that produces more clutter. I’m looking for something that produces an experience that delivers relaxation and satisfaction. Besides, how many friends and family members really want to receive my handiwork? And where do you donate crafts?

I think I know what hobby I’m going to try, but I’m still in the investigation phase. I’m not ready to reveal it yet because I might change my mind before I even begin. That’s part of the fun of trying something new, right?

Once I get started, I’ll write again and let you know how it goes.

In the meantime, if you have a favorite screen-free, solo, low-pressure “Grandma hobby,” send it my way. Bonus points if it doesn’t require a partner, a standing weekly commitment, a dining-room table, or somewhere to store 47 handmade objects.

Apparently, at this stage of my life, I’m not looking for something else to do. I’m looking for something I actually want to do.