Realistic Hobbies That Helped Me Find Myself Again After Motherhood

If you had asked me 10 months ago, “What are your hobbies?” I would’ve probably said something like: “Umm... being my son’s mom? Watching TV? Sleeping, I guess?”

I would’ve smiled weakly, shrugged, and laughed it off like it was normal. But deep down,

I knew the truth.

It wasn’t funny. It was sad.

I had no hobbies.

No spark.

No me.

I was a shell of my former self—wading through life like I was trudging through peanut butter. Everything felt sticky, slow, and exhausting. I kept trying to “think” my way out of it, but my brain was scrambled eggs. My heart felt foggy. My soul? Distant.

The truth is, I’d been slowly losing myself—piece by piece—until one day I looked around and didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror. Motherhood had consumed every corner of my identity. It wasn’t that I didn’t love being a mom. I did. I do. Fiercely. But I had forgotten that I was a person too. A creative, curious, passionate person who needed more than sleep and cartoons to thrive.

The turning point?

Getting sober.

But that’s a longer story for another time.

For today, I want to talk about what came next—after the fog lifted, after I remembered I’m allowed to have joy, creativity, space, and fun.

I rediscovered hobbies.

And no, I don’t mean fancy or expensive or highly productive ones. I mean the kind that felt like tiny lifelines. Little sparks. Gentle reminders that I was still in there, waiting.

So I want to share with you a list of mom hobbies—realistic ones. Stuff that’s low-cost or free, doable with a toddler underfoot, and most importantly, the kind that reconnect you to YOU.

Let’s go:

my little starter garden

1. Gardening (Even a Tiny One Counts) 

You don’t need a backyard or fancy tools to grow something beautiful. I started with herbs on the windowsill—basil, mint, rosemary. Just watering them each morning felt grounding, like a reset button. If you’ve got a balcony or porch, a few potted veggies or flowers can brighten your whole vibe. Gardening became a quiet little rebellion against the chaos—proof that growth is always possible, even in a pot of dirt.

Pro tip: Start with low-maintenance plants (like lettuce or cherry tomatoes), and remember—watching something you nurtured bloom is pure magic.

rainbow light poured over a stack of my favorite reads—sunroom magic

2. Reading (Yes, Even 10 Minutes Counts)

I ditched the pressure to finish a book in a week and gave myself permission to read slow. I started with self-help books that nourished my spirit, then added in fiction, poetry, and even graphic novels. 

Pro Tip: Audible! I listen to them while driving, cleaning, exercising…

Current faves: Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza & Seven Year Slip by Ashley Posten

 paint markers to add some color and joy to our rock painting fun

3. Creative Therapy: Adult Coloring & Doodling

No pressure to make art that belongs in a gallery. Just color for the joy of it. I bought a cheap pack of colored pencils and a mandala coloring book. When my son naps or plays with blocks, I color. Sometimes I listen to music while I do it. It's meditative and fun.

4. Journaling (Even Just One Line a Day)

I used to think journaling had to be deep and profound. Now? I’ll just jot: “Today was hard, but I didn’t give up.” That counts. It’s healing. Sometimes I do stream-of-consciousness. Other times I answer prompts. It helps me check in with myself.

Pro Tip: journaling doesn’t have to be in a physical journal, you can brain dump into your notes app on your phone

love a good gym sesh

5. Movement That Feels Good

Not punishing workouts. Not pressure to lose weight (though I’ve dropped pounds in the process). I’m talking movement for the joy of being alive. Dance in the kitchen. Walks outside. Yoga videos on YouTube. 

6. Podcasts That Inspire or Entertain

Laundry time = podcast time. I love listening to interviews, self-growth episodes, or funny mom shows while I fold clothes or clean. It turns chores into me-time.

7. Making TikToks or Reels

I never thought I’d say this—but creating TikToks has become a hobby. It’s fun, creative, and honestly? It helped me find my voice again. I use it to share tips, thoughts, and humor—and to connect with other moms who get it.

Also - it’s helped me to stop caring (FINALLY!) about what others think of me (cue HUGE sigh of relief). 

Connect with me here!!

acrylic on canvas: the sun painted with my baby’s little hands as the glowing rays

8. Crafts with (or Without) Kids

I tried macramé. I made homemade playdough. I painted rocks. Not everything turns out great, but the process is fun. If you’re short on time, try five-minute crafts from Pinterest.

The most decadent, buttery almond croissant—crisp on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth magic on the inside—enjoyed under the warm sunshine

9. Romanticizing the Everyday

I made it a hobby to turn boring stuff into rituals. Like tea time. I light a candle, pour a fancy cup, and sit. That’s it. Or I wear perfume to fold laundry. Play jazz while making spaghetti. Find magic in the mundane.

10. Writing... Again

Writing has always been a part of me. For a while, I stopped because I felt like I had nothing worth saying. But I started again—first in a Google Doc, then on my blog, and finally in my book. Writing is now both a hobby and part of my purpose.

If you’ve ever wanted to write—just start. One sentence. One messy paragraph. Doesn’t matter what it’s about. Let it be bad. Let it be beautiful.

Now, let me be real: I don’t do all of these every day. I’m still a full-time working mom. But what I’ve learned is that when I treat myself like someone worth taking care of, everything in my life gets better. My patience expands. My joy deepens. I feel more like... me.

And you deserve that, too.

You don’t need to overhaul your life or book a spa retreat. You just need tiny moments. Mini pockets of you-time.

So, let’s recap:

Mom Hobbies That Reignite Your Spark:

• Plant care

• Reading (even a paragraph)

• Coloring, doodling, painting

• Journaling (micro entries count)

• Movement that feels joyful

• Podcasts (while doing chores)

• Creating content (if you feel pulled to)

• Writing letters or little notes

• DIY crafts with or without kids

• Turning rituals into joy

• Writing (for you, for fun, for freedom)

Here’s your permission slip, mama:

You’re allowed to enjoy things just because.

You’re allowed to be someone other than “just mom.”

You’re allowed to play, explore, rest, create.

So tell me—what’s your mom hobby going to be?

And if you don’t know yet, that’s okay too. Start small. Try something weird. Let it be imperfect. The spark is waiting. It never left—you’re just finding your way back to it.

You’ve got this.

xx

Turner

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✨ Related Blog Posts:

“How Getting Sober Made Me a More Joyful, Present Mom (And Human)”\

“What to Do When You Feel Like You’ve Lost Yourself in Motherhood”

“Tiny Rituals That Make Everyday Mom Life Feel Magical”

“Why ‘Self-Care’ Isn’t Just Bubble Baths—And What Actually Works”