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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about your engaging hobbies?

74 replies

youareminebestfavourite · 27/03/2022 05:43

On paper, my life looks pretty fab - great job, happily married, 2 DS's who are awesome teenagers, a lovely extended family and great friends.
But I'm so fricken bored! After a bit of introspection, I have realised that I don't really have anything in my life that I do just for fun.
I go to the gym 6 days a week, walk the dog, work, catch up with friends etc but apart from that, I don't really do anything that engages and entertains me.
I have considered things like art classes, but I'm frankly shit at art and I also don't want to fill my house with crap tat that I'm keeping for the sake of it.
So, please tell me what you do as a hobby that engages you and brings some meaning to your life.
TIA

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 27/03/2022 05:46

Volunteering with Scouts. (Or similar).

nicesausages · 27/03/2022 07:22

Rock choir?

CorsicaDreaming · 27/03/2022 08:30

Make art that isn't "crap tat" and give it to friends / family as presents?

Make your own greetings cards (art but small and useful).

To be honest it's a tricky one as you've given v little to go on about you personally and so it is tricky to say what would work for you...

My issue is an overwhelming lack of any time to call my own. The one thing I do currently do (between full on job and a 9 year who is Churchillian in his lack of need for sleep) is DIY and I find it really rewarding. Painting woodwork, sanding and waxing old pine, and learning how to tile have been my most satisfying. All to improve our new-ish to us house... Victorian rambling and in need of much TLC.

but if I did have time again to do more for fun just for me, I would do these:

Learn Conversational French (preferably at evening class and over wine)

Go to Pottery classes again.

Learn the saxophone

Take up a dance class. I'd really like to do that Thai / Korean shuffle dance in a big group

Get a dog

Resurrect my Book Group and get back into actually reading novels (I haven't been able to finish a novel since the beginning of the first Lockdown, and it grieves me)

Do more in my garden.

Spend more time cooking interesting things

Join an amateur dramatics group. Especially one doing Shakespeare....

But one woman's fun is probably another's idea of purgatory!

MrsTimRiggins · 27/03/2022 08:39

All pretty outdoorsy but might give you some ideas 😊
I ride and keep horses (and there goes most of my time and money) but I also surf, shoot, wild swim, I do yoga and pilates, I do a lot of coastal walking (if that counts?), I go sea kayaking (when I can!), I like a bit of rock climbing and I also ski, but not sure that counts as a hobby as such.

TinySaltLick · 27/03/2022 08:39

Russian wooden ladders

YesILikeItToo · 27/03/2022 08:41

Orienteering. Has come on leaps and bounds since the 70s, now a really accessible sport with something for everyone.

exwhyzed · 27/03/2022 08:42

I bought a sewing machine and now make my own clothes, bags, soft furnishings.

It's actually several hobbies in one

Collecting and researching patterns and fabric
Designing and planning items you want to make
Actually sewing the item together
Accepting compliments from strangers on your coat/dress etc.

Most councils offer some kind of basic 'dressmaking' course.

hidethetoaster · 27/03/2022 08:42

I run with a friend. Doing it with someone turns it into a pleasure/hobby rather than a chore. A long run every weekend. Sometimes we mix it up and go for a trail run with a local organisation.

You clearly are into health and fitness if you keep up a daily gym habit so can you think of a way to make that more fun?

Have you tried skiing?

PupInAPram · 27/03/2022 08:48

@MrsTimRiggins are you James Bond? You missed out Skydiving 🤣

MrsTimRiggins · 27/03/2022 08:51

[quote PupInAPram]@MrsTimRiggins are you James Bond? You missed out Skydiving 🤣[/quote]
Alas, years in the secret service only to be outed on mumsnet!!

Snapcrackleandhop · 27/03/2022 08:55

I fully agree with the tat bit, I'd love learn pottery, work with glass, knitting, upholstery, baking (okay no tat but fat lol). I do a drawing class for beginners, you absolutely don't have to be artistic or know anything, but you learn so much ! And it's nice to do in a group. There'll be drawings to take home but I bin most to be honest.

SpringLobelia · 27/03/2022 08:57

to be frank I do fuck all. I'd love to find something that engages me.

But FWIW I;

  • go to a book club. - More lunch and gossip really.
  • go to a weekly choir meetup (which I am giving until christmas before dumping- it is run by a woman who really really really likes being in charge )
-I volunteered a few years back to help out with a local festival. -I love cooking, but DH is almost entirely a raw foodist (!) and I mainly just cook for the DCs one of whom has sensory issues around food and a limited palate.

But mostly my spare time is taken up with taking my older DS to physical therapy appointments; helping the DCs with homework and that sort of thing.

SpringLobelia · 27/03/2022 08:59

@YesILikeItToo

Orienteering. Has come on leaps and bounds since the 70s, now a really accessible sport with something for everyone.
oooh! I like the sound of that!
Comtesse · 27/03/2022 09:01

I went to a patchwork / quilting class and now I’m obsessed- I just love it. I’ve made 4 quilts and a cushion since then. But this was something I was into when I was a kid, I loved sewing. What did you love to do when you were little? Rediscovering passions is so fun.

Whereismyblind · 27/03/2022 09:02

The thing is, a hobby doesn't have to be something class/learning based that results in the production of something. A hobby can be something as simple as going for a hike in nature, or joining a reading club.

What do you want from your hobby? A social outlet? Creative outlet? Peaceful experiences?

Without giving more info, it's impossible to suggest anything.

Amelion · 27/03/2022 09:04

Mine are mostly exercise based. I find the gym extremely boring and have instead found exercise to do that’s more interesting and engaging.

I do martial arts (kickboxing and karate) - I find them more mentally challenging than other sports, especially karate as there’s kata (patterns) to learn. You progress to different belts so there’s that element of learning and moving forward (I’m a black belt).

I also run and having a challenge - eg a race - to work towards is always good.

I wild swim/outdoor swim which I really enjoy as you can make a morning/afternoon of it - find a new swimming spot/warm up with hot drinks afterwards. Always very friendly atmosphere with other swimmers.

I also enjoy cooking and sporadically do Duolingo for two languages I’m interested in learning but not been great at sticking with it. If I had more time I’d learn a language through lessons.

Flatandhappy · 27/03/2022 09:04

I am a member of three book clubs 😁 But to be fair I do spend a lot of time reading. I joined a choir and loved that but then COVID hit. I am currently trying to learn Bahasa as we often visit Bali.

Mummadeze · 27/03/2022 09:06

Tennis!!! I stopped going to the gym because I am addicted to tennis and play every chance I get. It is like a drug. Lots of reasons really - you never stop learning, it is really fun to watch once you are a player, but mostly I like it because when playing every other thought, responsibility, worry mysteriously melts away. I think it is the level of concentration that makes it very mindful. Obviously there is the typical endorphin rush from the exercise element but there is an added joy when you play well and can feel yourself improving. As an added bonus I have made new friends in my area and there is the odd social thing to participate in at the club I have joined which I have enjoyed. Can’t recommend enough!

SpringLobelia · 27/03/2022 09:06

@Flatandhappy

I am a member of three book clubs 😁 But to be fair I do spend a lot of time reading. I joined a choir and loved that but then COVID hit. I am currently trying to learn Bahasa as we often visit Bali.
aaaah Love Bali. What a lovely idea to learn Bahasa.

That reminds me, in usual times I am mad keen on travelling. Not so much lately and rather worryingly my older DS seems to have developed an extreme anxiety around flying (which as he has ASD and becomes fixed on certain ideas might end up being a big problem). But I love planning a trip away- hopefully to Paris and Cyrpus this year.

UsernameInTheTown · 27/03/2022 09:09

Gardening, playing the saxophone, chicken fancying (mostly picking up shit and stressing over how to use up eggs Grin), houseplants, collecting (hoarding), my dog, walking, cuddling etc.

ImplementingTheDennisSystem · 27/03/2022 09:11

I'm 37, married with no kids.
I work full time.
On top of that I guess I'm similar to you OP in that I walk the dog and exercise. Although, I live on the edge of a national park, so some of my hiking, cycling and running is through stunning landscapes and that really makes me feel alive.
I like gardening in the summer.
Like you OP, I also don't want to create 'stuff' that I then need to store. So I'll do a couple of massive jigsaws a year and the second they're done, I give them to charity.
DH and i also do a hell of a lot of DIY, and I'm always repainting a bit of furniture or researching the next thing I want us to do or buy.
And we socialise a lot with friends.
So all in all, nothing groundbreaking there, but it keeps me happy.
I will say I'm also totally comfortable watching 6 hours of something on Netflix when I really don't have anything to do 🤷🏼‍♀️

ChorltonWheelie · 27/03/2022 09:16

Role Playing Games

3 different groups all around the country, normally will play 2 sessions a week and every month get a big session in on a Sunday - mainly online these days but one of the groups does occassionally get together in real life

DCs sometime play and DH will quite happily sit and watch sport

tropicalmuslin · 27/03/2022 09:18

I got my skydiving qualification and do that when I can at the weekend? Or indoor rock climbing is fun? Im also looking at trying pottery wheeling, and would love to join a wine club!!

CharSiu · 27/03/2022 09:33

Over my life I have tried many things. The ones that have remained long term are.

Hill walking, used to be a hardcore hiker, could do 20 miles these days diminished as have some disabilities but did go up The Roaches in Staffordshire yesterday for 3 hours.

Gaming I’m a joint leader of a clan of 50 almost all men , I get to tell them off :)

Dancing, have tried various types most long lasting was belly dancing, did 3 years, salsa and ballet also ballroom with DH. On hold due to covid but will return to ballroom.

Pottery lasted 3 years took certificates, tried watercolours for 2 years.

Voluntary work have about 15 years for 4 different charities, mainly helping write grants, committee work and assisting people with employment rights. Did do 18 months working in a kitchen once a week. Helped set up a food bank many years ago before they were well known, saw a food bank lorry when on holiday in America and got local churches together with my mate who was a Vicar of one of them.

I worked FT for 27 years and had two dc and a DH who knew and knows I need time to myself, as does he.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 27/03/2022 09:39

I ride horses. Definitely can't afford to have my own so I have private lessons every week and go on a few beach/half-day rides each year.

It's not a cheap hobby but it's the only one I have so it's very well justified Grin

I'm also a dog walker and get to look after horses as part of my pet-sitting services which helps fund said horse riding Wink

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