To ask you to decide my new hobby?

[Blue2014]

I shop (or browse shops) to pass the time, I genuinely enjoy it but I just don't need anymore stuff. DH is exactly the same, we browse shops at the weekend, shop on holidays ...

I also like reading and TV but I'm thinking of something outside the home

What else can I do with my time? I'm unlikely to like 'homely' things such as cooking, knitting or gardening. I'm also very lazy so anything too strenuous may not work either.

I can't believe I'm nearly 40 and have nothing else to do with my spare time ...

Suggestions??

What are you interested in? Anything you ever wanted to do?

There's so much to choose from. Walking/hiking. Archery. Dance. Choir. Some sort of martial art. Have a look at meetup.com. If you are unsure, just give it a try anyway and rule things out. It could be a fun year just exploring.

Walking is good. Running too. Couch to 5k is a great starting point.

A book group might be sociable. Or what about volunteering somewhere?

I've decided to learn beauty treatments as a new hobby this year. At least I can pamper myself with the results :)

Choir, book group and martial arts could work. I guess I'm wondering what I'm supposed to do with my weekends, we always went shopping

(Additional info - currently on maternity DS is 4 weeks but I'm looking something for us to do as a family at weekends rather than mum and baby type groups)

I hate walking, should I try to make myself like it?

Oh that's interesting Lucky, I like that idea

Crochet! But then, I'm biased...😁😁

Geo Caching. A treasure hunt for the whole family. Super fun!

Yoga?

How about weeding my fucking allotment? A bit of fresh air will do you good.

What about jewellery making? That's what I'm going to try and get into this year. ifni could go back 15 years, that's what I'd start over in as a career.

Your child is 4 weeks old. Just enjoy the shopping for now a short you won't once your wee one is mobile!

And once you have a child you have no hobbies anyway... so don't worry!

Church Bell Ringing? Seriously - (no particular need to be religious).

I did this (from about 13 to 30, including at university) - and it gets as technically challenging as you wish.

Meet different types of people too.

Sorry, missed the bit about it being family based!

Archaeology!

I hate walking too. I tried with the pram recently because I am on maternity leave too, and after about an hour* of getting cold wind blown in my face and traipsing along with a pretend smile, I looked at my watch and only ten minutes had passed. I felt like I had been gone for days. Never again. Maybe if I had somewhere to walk to, like there was a purpose to it, I would like it then. I loved walking to school, because I was actually going somewhere.
I Don't know what the answer is. I have bought a very simple dress pattern and some nice material and would like to make a dress for my daughter this year. There are videos for beginners so I will give it a go. It doesn't matter how long it takes because I am making it a size too big, but I would like to complete it.

I think the choir or acting group sounds good. Something you can dip in and out of if the baby stops sleeping? Good luck and report back, I am very interested.

Cycling, it's easy & you don't have to go miles and miles. Plus the great advantage is you get tea and cake stops guilt free.

I have found some really lovely cake stops for my rides and actually plan rides around cake stops - to be honest find me a cyclist that doesn't!

You get to see lovely places, get to take bikes on trains - then cycle around and get train home or cycle home.

You get fitter and it increases your life span, releases endorphins which makes you feel good.

You can join sky rides and make new friends, most places have these rides nearby just look on the British cycling website.

We have three clubs in town and one cycle club just cycle to pubs! Then cycle back to the starting pub for a social ride, anywhere between 6 and 30 miles so something for everyone.

I second geocaching, it's great fun, outdoors but not strenuous and gives walking a purpose. Mix of orienteering and treasure hunting.

Munzee is similar but you find and scan bar codes for points.

Oh sorry didn't read you had a baby, though when baby is older you can pop them in the back on a seat.

We used to do that with dd1 ( now 24) on a tandem, she used to shout - go faster, go faster.

Look at "meet ups" for yoga, meditation, book clubs,

I'm part of a book club and a cycling club on meet ups and have made a few more friends on the way which is nice

Bridge. Go to lessons then attend your local club. It's fantastic and good for your brain

Photography. That's my hobby and I love it. Get a decent dslr camera, a national trust membership and you can spend hours wandering around, then at home relax editing photos, learning photoshop skills etc. And you will have memories to look back on too.

Postcrossing?

Horse riding? Although it kills your thighs for about a week lol

I also recommend photography if you have enough spare cash for an SLR camera. You can either but a book to learn simple techniques or join a local photography group/class.
As well as getting excercise without realising, you have a brilliant new subject to practise taking portraits of - your new baby! I wish I had taken the time to take more photos of my DCs when they were tiny. Some of my friends have taken amazing pictures of their children.

If you like singing, joining a choir would also be brilliant fun - and a good way to meet people.

Maybe learn a new language? (Also a great excuse to do the odd weekend away to practice your skills.)

Well my hobbies are:

Horse riding - but not really a family activity until your baby is a bit older

Cycling - you could get a baby seat when your baby is big enough, then they could move up to one of those 'fake' bikes that hang of the back of an adult bike then eventually get their own bike. Depending on where you live there's loads of nice forests etc to cycle round

Parkrun - could you and your DH take turns to run / look after the baby ? Although some people do our local Parkrun with kids in buggies

BMF (British Military Fitness) - not family friendly though

Appreciate they're all sporty though. In terms of non- sporty activities, I like:
-reading

• trying new recipes / baking
• gardening
• pets
• meeting friends for country walks and lunch in country pubs
• I'd like to start sewing but not got much further than buying a sewing machine