How to feel motivated to go to hobby during the dark nights?

[Opus17]

Hi everyone,
This is a bit of an odd question. But I started a martial art last month and I absolutely love it. I've been wanting to do one for ages now but moved around so much there was never any point in starting. Well, now I have and I'm enjoying it.

DS is 16 months old and we have no family nearby so in order for me to go to my hobby, I have to take DS to the sports hall, meet DH outside, who comes straight from work, then DH takes DS home again for dinner, bath and playtime. It wouldn't work any other way. DS loves being outside so doesn't really bother him, but since the clocks went back, I end up dreading have to go out in the cold and dark, and also to take DS out in the cold and dark! I don't drive, so we either walk (40 minutes) or I jump on the bus for 7 minutes.

I don't know if I just can't be bothered or if this is just my mentally as it was never normal to go to sports in the evening as a kid (my mum was quite lazy and didn't want to take me to judo or football even though I asked) but I'm trying to change this, also for my son, who I want to do something fun in the evenings, even in winter.

Does anyone else do a hobby in the evenings? Or take their children out in the cold and dark winters for their hobbies? How do you motivate yourself to go?
I'd appreciate any tips or advice as I really want to change this mentality of "evenings are for staying in" (especially in the winter), and I know it'll be good for me.

Thanks everyone

I often find thinking about it is more off putting than actually doing it! I have to take my dd to guides and sports clubs and its a pain i won't deny but I just think or try to convince myself its part of the weeks routine so needs to be done much like shopping or anything really,It also helps me if the stuff is packed ready to grab and go at the bottom of the stairs,so as soon as one activity is done its rewashed then packed right away,Also one thing that really helps me is spending 5 mins before we have to go making a hot drink in a travel mug and making sure we are well wrapped up even if we are going in the car,So warm coats, hats, scalves .gloves etc if you feel cosy inside you will find outside not so bad! Another tip I found useful is always having change for car parking and enough petrol earlier in the day (it relieves my stress!) and also having my phone fully charged before I go out offers me that extra bit of reassurance, It is always nice to get out of a stuffy house and see people though so I think just go and do it bet you will be glad you did! x

I go to Zumba 3 times a week, and I was dreading the dark nights. I still try and talk myself out of it each time! Especially in the cold or rain, but I go and I love it. I smile all the way through it and once spring and summer comes around again I will be ready for showing off the weight loss :D

I go to the gym at 5 a.m. three times a week (when it's now also dark and cold!) and have discovered that it's best not to wait for motivation or get into a debate with myself about it at all. I just tell myself, "On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I do X" and act accordingly. I also try to focus on what I want to achieve with it and how nice it is to have that little separate part of my life that's just for me. That's generally enough to keep me going!

I second having your stuff ready! I often run early in the morning but if I’ve got to take the step of actually getting kit out of a drawer I’m unlikely to leave the house for some reason. Everything laid out the night before, straight up and out works best for me as it stops me coming up with excuses! My DS is a bit older (4) but he absolutely loves a “dark walk” particularly when there’s Christmas lights to look at

I also agree with having kit ready to go and no over thinking it. I go to the gym/classes several nights a week and really struggle on cold, dark nights but I've trained myself to not think about it but as said above, consider it a part of my weekly routine without questioning it.

I often hate going out again on dark evenings but console myself with the fact that I've never once walked out of the gym or a class and thought, "I wish I hadn't done that".

I agree, i have started an evening course , which i love , but its 30 mins plus drive into a city , its dark and a bit intimidating to go into Bradford, cold and i dont get back till 9 at the earliest.

I love my course , just hate the bit around it xx

@Flangeosaurus I go even one step further than that and put my running tshirt, bra and knickers on last thing before bed! My alarm goes off and I’m literally out the door in the time it takes to put my watch, bottoms and socks on, shove phone in my pocket, have a wee, go downstairs and chuck my trainers on! I don’t even brush my teeth before I go (once fell into the trap of doing that and then before I knew it I just ‘had to pluck my eyebrows’ etc and I then didn’t have time!) - yeah I know it’s minging but it’s 5:30am; I’m unlikely to stop and chat to anyone I know! I hate the exercise part, I love the feeling when I’ve got back and have hit my exercise goal for the day and over half way through my movement goal before 7am, it’s a great boost to the day.
Op, I would struggle in the evenings too, it gives you all day to procrastinate and make excuses to not go! But if your dh is happy to meet you both and take dc from you then carry on, think of what you’re getting out of it and about how long it took you to be able to find one.

I do a hobby once a week int he evening and it's definitely harder once it gets darker and colder. I do drive there but it's a 40 min journey in heavy traffic and sometimes hard to peel myself away from nice warm house! I get home around 9.45.

Definitely do persist though OP. It's so important to put yourself first even once a week; my hobby has saved my sanity over the last 5 years! And the worst is really only till about Feb, whereas if you stop that's half the year gone. And it may also be nice for your DH and DS to have a special evening together.

I've been feeling exactly this today! I know I'll enjoy it when I get there, but right now looking out at the dark and rain, I'm dreading going out tonight - and it's only 5 minutes down the road too.

I have to leave in 30 minutes to do a yoga class so your post has struck a chord. I get my stuff ready in the afternoon and just tell myself I'm going. It sounds simple but I just don't try and talk myself out of it! It helps that I enjoy it and feel much better having been - that's what I try and focus on. Good luck.

I do something most evenings and I always have, at least for 20+ years of my adult life. I know I’ll enjoy it, so I go.
Plus, the things I did/do were/are outdoors activities so in the cold, dark and often wet - not even indoors stuff!

You just have to force yourself. Get your clothes/money/bag ready in advance. Tell others you’re doing it. Make a progress chart. Anything that will motivate you.

But you’ll only go if you really want to.

I find sitting at home in the evening boring, so I’m motivated to go…….

Pay for it in advance! Works for me