Why Do Single Moms Need Hobbies?
Everyone needs hobbies… but single moms need them more than ever! Raising kids on your own is a lot of work.
Hobbies are a terrific way to enjoy a bit of whimsy and fun, relax, and get back in touch with yourself.
1. Weightlifting
You may not at first consider weightlifting a hobby, but it can actually be quite enjoyable, and help you feel a lot better.
In today’s society, men are encouraged to take up hobbies like this, while women are pushed toward cardio and the resulting weight loss – that hardly seems fair, does it?
One of the best ways of all time to increase your overall self-esteem and willpower is to build some muscle and literally become stronger.
The confidence boost is great, the healthier mindset is even greater.
2. Calligraphy
Calligraphy is an old-fashioned, lovely art-form – you’ve probably admired the bold, spiraling letters before!
It’s not as hard as it looks, either… all you need is a bit of know-how and practice, as with any skill.
You can use calligraphy to address letters or invitations, write on a chalkboard for a decorative display, or just have fun decorating some paper.
3. Candle Making
There are few who don’t enjoy the scent of a good candle.
Not only is the smell a pleasant ambiance to add to your home, but it can be aromatherapeutic, too!
To make your own candles, simply choose your type of wax: paraben, coconut, soy, and beeswax blends are the most popular.
Then, all that you need are some fragrances and colors of your choice, a wick, a microwave-safe bowl, and an empty candle container or jar.
4. Sculpting with Polymer Clay
This is a rising favorite with moms everywhere: polymer clay.
It’s a semi-new clay material that’s made from a highly malleable polymer.
The result is an ultra-soft clay that can bake hard in the oven (at roughly 275F).
With just a few blocks of clay and some creativity, you can sculpt miniature food, fairies, animals, jewelry, etc.
5. Gardening
Gardening is a peaceful hobby and can be a lovely way for stressed-out single moms to relax.
There is something healing about the scent of fresh-tilled soil, along with sunshine and fresh outdoor air.
As a hobby, plant something that will be nice and simple (stress-free) to care for.
A wild strawberry plant, for example, will practically grow itself.
Just do the occasional weeding, plant according to the season, and at harvest, enjoy the rewards of your work!
6. Soap Making
Soap making is a pleasure for the senses, with the various shimmers, beads, fragrances, and hues available.
When soap-making in your kitchen, it will look like you’re stirring up a magical brew!
The easiest soap to make it melt-and-pour, but you can be a soap-making wizard by crafting your own bars from lye, and things like coconut oil, palm oil, beeswax, and shea butter.
7. Hiking
Perhaps you have never considered yourself much of a hiker. You may wish to reconsider!
There are trails from the lowest to the highest of difficulty; some are along-side rivers or wildflowers, and some end in a magnificent view.
Hiking is a great way to get away from it all. Just don’t forget your water bottle and a snack.
8. Leaf Pressing
Autumn is an extremely popular season world-wide, for its sheer variety of color.
You’re sure to see some leaves that are extra vibrant, multi-colored, or patterned uniquely!
These are perfect for pressing in your very own leaf book. By leaf pressing, you can create incredibly unique and naturally beautiful artwork.
You can also press aesthetically shaped, green leaves in the spring and summer.
9. Foraging
Foraging is rewarding work! Find a likely patch of forest, or a meadow with raspberries, and pick!
Just make sure not to trample the undergrowth as you pass, and you can follow paths and deer trails to find mushrooms, berries, tubers, herbs – all kinds of edible goods…
Just make sure to do your research first, so you know for absolute certain you haven’t found something poisonous (certain plants and mushrooms are lookalikes, so take care!).
10. Zen Sand Gardening
Zen sand gardening is an extremely relaxing pastime and practically made for a stressed-out single mother.
There are miniature sand gardens only a foot or so in size, and large sand gardens that claim their own few feet plot in the backyard.
Spend some time arranging the sand with a rake, placing stones, and creating a beautiful Zen landscape, and let your mind become still…
11. Jam Making
Jam making is a hobby that really couldn’t be easier.
All you need is a bunch of fruit, a pot, a stovetop, pectin, and your choice of sweetener.
You can make jam out of berries, or tree fruits like apricots, peaches, etc.
Some even make kiwi jam or jelly with bell pepper.
12. Kickboxing
Who says kickboxing is only for men?
Anyone, of any gender, can benefit from becoming stronger.
It’s also a great confidence boost to know you are much more able to protect yourself.
Not only that, but it’s fun and even therapeutic to kickbox!
13. Video Games
This is another hobby often toted as ‘men-only.’
Actually, anyone can enjoy a good video game, and there are countless ways to play, on a console, mobile, or PC!
There are adventure games, or colorful, simple games; games with beautiful nature and landscapes to explore; games where you can travel through space and discover new planets, conquer lands, become king, race, create your own species, or close rifts from hell…
This may be the dream escape you’ve been looking for.
14. Rock Tumbling
You can tumble rocks and transform them, so they are polished and gem-like…
All that you need is an investment in a rock tumbler and a little know-how!
For example, hard, non-porous, non-jagged (some bumps of course are OK) rocks are perfect for a rock tumbler.
You can use these rocks as decor, carve runes into them, turn them into jewelry (which can even prove quite lucrative), and more!
15. Jewelry Making
Craft high-end jewelry by soldering silver. Or, by purchasing quality beads from your local craft store and turning them into necklaces, bracelets, earrings, etc.
You can sculpt beads out of clay, or tumble rocks to wrap in wire made from silver.
Once you’re good enough, you can even make jewelry to sell!
16. Bird Watching
Have you ever noticed just how many kinds of birds there are? And some are particularly rare or colorful.
Bird watching can be a great way to watch the beautiful, feathered creatures in action, flying, eating seeds, singing, flirting, etc.
Getting out of the house and enjoying nature and the peaceful company of birds can be a lovely way for a single mom to relax…
17. Quilting
Quilts are unbelievably cozy, and everyone likes them – on top of this, making a quilt couldn’t be easier.
All that you need is a fair bit of time, fabric patches to piece into a quilt, and some basic ability to sew! Then, find somewhere quiet and peaceful to work!
You can even include scraps of old, favored clothing, blankets, etc., for quilts that are not only comfortable but also meaningful (these sorts of quilts are often treasured for years).
Why not join your local Quilting Club?
18. Pottery
Pottery is a highly tactile form of art that allows you to really get into what you are doing.
You primarily use your bare hands to coax beautiful shapes out of lumps of earthy clay…
Pottery clay can be turned into vases, bowls, sculptures, mugs, and more!
19. A Tea Ceremony
Do you enjoy tea? If not, you probably just haven’t had the right tea yet.
Tea packets at the store are actually pretty low-quality, and not very high on the scale as far as flavor.
You can buy much nicer, loose-leaf teas or tea cakes online, where they have been carefully harvested and aged, flavored with berries, spices, etc.
Having your own private tea ceremony is one of the best ways to center yourself.
20. Origami
Origami is an ancient Japanese art form, which teaches how to craft creatures, shapes, and decorations out of a simple piece of paper.
Paper cranes are probably the most popular.
You can also make flowers, butterflies, boats, etc.
There are plenty of patterns online; all that you need is some paper, preferably soft, patterns origami paper (which can be purchased at your local craft store or online).
21. Flower Pressing
This is the perfect hobby for a flower-lover. It’s always such a shame when blossoms appear and then wither so quickly each year.
Flower pressing will allow you to preserve a flower’s natural beauty for years in your own pressed flower book!
For best results, there are special flower pressing techniques that you must follow!
For example, as part of the pressing process, it is necessary to thoroughly dry the flower (or else it will brown over time).
In Summary
So, what do you think? Do any of these hobbies catch your eye?
You can take up one – or three – as a way to have a bit of time away from the kids, relax, and get in touch with yourself.
