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Finding Time to Enjoy a Hobby When Life Takes Over
If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that this year I decided to turn off the television and dust off my library. My love of reading has had a sort of ebb and flow over the years... Pre-marriage and children, I spent most of my free time reading or journaling. During my adolescent years, my parents made sure that my life wasn't centered around a television set, so I learned early on to entertain myself. Somewhere in my college years, I hit a brick wall and was just burnt out. Then as a married career woman, I picked it up again. My husband had one night a week that he got to get out of the house with a few buddies to play basketball. I enjoyed those quiet, peaceful moments alone and picked back up reading for fun. While I still craved reading, once the early years of motherhood hit, and I didn't have the time or energy to read much.
So this year, I set a goal to read a dozen books by December! One a month. For a year. Did I mention my children are small and take up most of my time? A friend recently commented on my social media that she didn't know how I find time to read books with all I have going on. It's true, this is a busy season of life for my family. However, it's important to me to slow down and enjoy things that bring me joy!
So how am I doing it? Well first off, I am a FIRM believer that people make time for what's important to them. I observe this all the time in the world around me, and I do it myself. It can be a hobby, bible study, kids' athletics, workouts, etc. Whatever it is that is important to someone, they tend to rearrange the rest of their life so that they can include that important thing.
Since slowing down my life and reading more is important to me, here are some things that I am doing to make more time for that...
1. Turn OFF the TV
This is a small change in our household that's reaping big rewards. After our first year of marriage, my beau and I decided we spent too much time watching TV, and we had our service cut off. Once we had children and moved to a new state, J decdied that he wanted to be able to watch our beloved Wildcats play on the SEC network. Soooo, we got cable... again. I have noticed that without even thinking, we turn it on and inevitably get sucked in at some point during the day.
So off the TV goes, and you'd be surprised how much time we've gained! The kids now get to watch two to three 30-minute movies at various times throughout the day. Turning the TV off, has been a blessing because since it's not playing all day long anymore, it's now become a privilege. When I have chores to take care of or want to read a chapter in my book, I can turn the movie on, and they are content for a moment.
2. No Tech Weekends
BEST. DECISION. EVER! Have you noticed how often your phone or tablet dings, pings, and sings throughout the day? It is SO EASY to get distracted with all that going on. I understand. I'm there with you. I'm a wife, mother, friend, entrepreneaur, leader, and a million other things... all those hats I wear means I get a LOT of notifications. So in order to clear my headspace and reduce the distractions, I have been turning off the phone, powering down the laptop, and making sure I am spending intentional time with my family, and enjoying things that bring me joy (like reading).
3. Include the Family
My children LOVE to look at pictures and hear stories. At first, it was a challenge to get them to sit still and listen to a store... they preferred to be scurrying around playing. But you know what? It only took a few weeks of 5 minutes her and 5 minutes there to get them into the groove! Now they love to read with momma or daddy, and will even bring us a stack of books to read to them!
I keep a few "special" books on my bookshelf where they can't get to them. When I want to enjoy a little quiet time, I pull them off the shelf, and pass them out. Since these are "special" books that they don't get to play with much, this momma can get at least a good 20 minutes of quiet time! #mommywin
So there you have it! Three changes I have implemented that have reaped big rewards! What are some things you do to make time for the hobbies you love? Comment below!
Be Blessed,
