Someone asked me the other day what my hobbies were. Seemingly innocuous question, right? Funny thing was, I had a hard time coming up with any. My friend who asked, is single, and childless. Hobbies included mountain biking, hiking and travel. Now, I like all those things. I love hiking, I've actually been on two mountain biking trips, and I adore travel. But, are any of these a hobby for me? What exactly is a hobby?
I found this dictionary definition: "An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure." So, although I would enjoy hiking and biking, I don't think they really qualify as a hobby of mine. But, the reason they don't qualify is because I never get to do them. Hobbies, for me at least, seem to change when you become a parent. Now, my hobbies have to be something I can squeeze in when my kids don't need me.
At first, I got pretty down in the dumps thinking that I didn't have any hobbies. I started thinking that I must be a complete bore. Then, I started thinking that maybe my memory was failing me, because I always seem awfully busy for someone who has no hobbies. But, it comes down to this. I believe that, for me at least, your kids kind of become your hobby. Not that I have completely enmeshed myself with them, because that is kind of an unhealthy bond, but I do believe that, as a parent, you do gain enjoyment and pleasure from your children and their pursuits. I enjoy watching Jeremiah attempt to play soccer, I enjoy watching Riley master cheerleading routines, I even enjoy listening to the songs Ally makes up while she's playing. And, I enjoy a few things just for me too. I enjoy writing this blog. I enjoy writing my football blog and speculating on how VT is going to fare this year. I enjoy reading a good book. I enjoy a nice glass of wine on the porch at night. Maybe my life is more full than I originally thought.
2 comments:
You like hiking and mountain biking? And you've been on two mountain biking trips? Was this in another life or with your other husband? You learn somethinhg new everyday. I don't have any hobbies either! I like to shoot guns but that is kinda work related!
I know the feeling! Hobbies--let's see...laundry, dishes, and trying to hold on to my sanity. Do those count? Okay, maybe not...reading, writing (mostly on the blog), traveling to familiar and non-scary but interesting places. That about sums it up, because, as you well know, there just aren't many hobbies one can participate in after the kids go to bed and before they wake up.
PS--I don't have many followers compared to some blogs I read. But I only have the ones I do from commenting on others', which you probably know already.
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