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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you have hobbies or interests you'd like to pursue in theory, but actually don't?

71 replies

hobbiesfordays · 27/12/2021 22:58

There are lots of things that I would like to learn and be good at and enjoy doing. I would love to learn to knit and make beautiful jumpers etc. I would love to pursue gardening and have a lovely garden.

But in reality I'm not actually motivated to do these things - I've never gone and bought wool and started a knitting pattern. I've gone as far as searching for and looking at different flower seeds in a shop but didn't get any. I feel like a lot of these things are nice to me in theory but if I was truly interested I would have done them by now! Instead I revert to pursuing my normal interests/hobbies which I've had for ages.

Is anyone else like this?

OP posts:
savagebaggagemaster · 27/12/2021 23:06

Yes. I wander through craft sections imagining what I could make. I sometimes even buy things - I never make them. Sad

pinkstripeycat · 27/12/2021 23:07

I’d like to horse ride but don’t want to go alone and also can’t afford it. I’d also like to sail, again too scared to go without a friend. I did both as a child. Horse riding I was scared of how big the horses were and that they’d tread on my feet and sailing was with my dad until he stopped going and I was too shy to carry on going alone. I’d be an amazing rider and sailer if I’d carried on and really regret not carrying on. Would also like to ski but again scared to do it alone and can’t afford

FortunesFave · 27/12/2021 23:09

Yes, loads but especially pottery. I want to learn to hand build cups and bowls and glaze and paint them. It's so expensive for lessons though. I'm on the waiting list for a community class that's cheap but the list is long.

I've now started watching videos on how to make a kiln out of bloody bricks in the back garden!

backaftera2yearbreak · 27/12/2021 23:11

I’d love to read. The last 18 months has killed my motivation to do anything except sit on my arse and whinge!

FriedTomatoe · 27/12/2021 23:15

I can't say I'm that sort of person. I enjoy trying new things. But have to say knitting and gardening are right at the bottom of my list - I don't understand either.

SwedishEdith · 27/12/2021 23:18

Make my own clothes. The trouble is, it's expensive making mistakes plus there are only so many clothes you'd need to make. Painting and drawing as well. I even got some materials to start it last Christmas and I'm still waiting for the right moment.

SwedishEdith · 27/12/2021 23:19

I can knit though - knitted a hat yesterday!

YouHaveNoAuthorityHereJackie · 27/12/2021 23:21

Yes, I would love to mudlark. If I lived anywhere it was possible, I know I’d be sifting through random tide junk all the time. It’s the same urge that sees me pulled into charity shops I think, the thrill of finding something totally unexpected

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 27/12/2021 23:26

Playing the guitar. I learnt a bit many years ago but I think it's something you have to do everyday or you lose it.

I am learning a language on Duo lingo though (very proud of my 98 day streak) so I need something like that for guitar playing.

SilverOtter · 27/12/2021 23:27

Archery (especially horseback!)
Side saddle riding
Ice skating
Skiing
Sewing

I want to do so much! But time and finances do not permitSad

Wowcherarestalkingme · 27/12/2021 23:29

I have so many hobbies but I’m not particularly good at any of them as I don’t devote enough time. I can make a decent quilt, baby clothes, knit scarves etc but anything a bit more complicated that takes more practise I never get better at as I don’t practise enough.

polkadotllama · 27/12/2021 23:31

I've got Pinterest boards full of inspirational craft projects that I fantasised about starting but never actually have. Or I'll start something off then never finish it. I just feel like there aren't enough hours in the day.

OldWivesTale · 27/12/2021 23:33

Wild swimming - but I'm always too cold!

MondeoFan · 27/12/2021 23:33

Yes crochet

I've never tried but about 4 years ago I bought a crochet magazine that came with a free hook, wool and beginners pattern. I still have it in the cellophane. Most days I walk past where it is but don't do anything about it

Gubanc · 27/12/2021 23:40

I've been wanting to learn Italian for about 10 years. But because I don't actually need it in the UK (or would be able to use it), I haven't.
About a month ago I started watching crocheting videos and bought some yarn.... instant results.

Rizzoli123 · 28/12/2021 01:25

I love to cross stitch.

I do sit there and think oh I want to try this and this and I buy so much and then I think i will stich first then never get round to it.

My new years resolution is to sew three days a week and two days try something else like using a sewing machine, making a lego piece I have had for ages, diamond painting and colouring and recording my singing into a computer

TheGrinchsDog · 28/12/2021 01:56

Pottery! But I can't afford it and don't have the space. There's a place sort of in my area that rents space, wheels and kilns but it's too far away from me to get to.

Piano, I have a keyboard, I know some of the basics. I spend more time than I should imagining being able to play lovely pieces... and then don't practice ha ha!

I cycle through various hobbies so I never get better than sort of clunkily amateurish at any of them but I enjoy it till I get bored and that's the main thing I suppose.

Heartoverheadheadoverheart · 28/12/2021 06:41

I would love to try so many things but the only child free time I have I am at work (working with children). I'm sure that when I do get more time to myself I will probably just use it to collapse with exhaustion. I also have zero money to spend on myself and I can't imagine ever having enough money to have a reasonable quality of life which would allow for hobbies.

In an ideal world I would do photography, art (all kinds drawing, charcoal, painting) yoga, exercise classes, face painting, learn BSL, maybe learn Spanish but I think I would find this hard, travel and eat out, nail art and some outdoors stuff like hill walking ect if my asthma and anemia were under control.

Heartoverheadheadoverheart · 28/12/2021 06:42

O yes, piano would be amazing too. I can dream.

Agadorsparticus · 28/12/2021 06:55

I taught myself to knit a few months back. I did us all fingerless gloves which were a big hit and did myself a scarf. Now I don't have a clue what to knit, everything else seems too complicated.

Original poster
hobbiesfordays · 28/12/2021 17:33

Interesting to hear about other people's experiences! (If) you did get more free time over lockdown, did you devote any to pursuing these things or did you find you weren't that bothered after all?

@Agadorsparticus how about socks, a hat or earmuffs? a cute little bag for a child you know?

OP posts:
ChessieFL · 28/12/2021 17:42

This is me too. I’m always wishing I was good at something but it’s never enough for me to actually put the effort in to become good!

CSJobseeker · 28/12/2021 17:44

I've always loved sea kayaking when I've done it, but I've rarely done it due to (a) lack of time and (b) living somewhere totally landlocked.

I've decided it's something to pursue in retirement.

ChristmasRobins · 28/12/2021 17:44

Country dancing/ceilidh. DH wouldn’t want to do it and doesn’t have the time and I feel uncomfortable going on my own, bit wet.

muddyboots · 28/12/2021 17:47

I really want to get into outdoor climbing.

I've done a weekend introduction and a day with an instructor but I can't find anyone who is willing to let an unfit 42 year-old tag along and ruin their day on the crags. It feels like it's impossible to make the breakthrough into being competent.

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