The Hobbies I Picked Up Again After Kids

Spoiler: They’re not all productive and that’s kind of the point.

When I became a mum, entire parts of me went into storage. Not just the jeans that no longer fit quite right — but the little things I used to do “just because.” The hobbies. The creative bits. The quiet pleasures that made me me.

At first, it didn’t feel like I had time for anything beyond nappies, snacks, and Googling weird rashes. But slowly, gently, in between the chaos and the cuddles, I started picking up the pieces of myself again. And guess what? Some of them were hobbies I hadn’t touched in years.

So here are a few of the things I’ve picked back up — not perfectly, not consistently, but joyfully. And that’s enough.

📸 1. Photography: Seeing Beauty in the Mess

Before kids, I loved taking photos. Not the kind where everyone’s looking perfect — but the real, raw, in-between moments. After kids, photography became a survival tool. A way to pause the chaos and say, “Look. Even this is beautiful.”

Now I grab my camera or phone and snap moments just for me when I got for my walks. Blooming flowers. Golden light on a spider web. Capturing those things reminds me that magic is everywhere.

🚶‍♀️ 2. Walking: Putting One Foot in Front of the Other (Literally and Emotionally)

Walking used to be a luxury. Now, it’s medicine. Whether it’s a quick loop around the block with the pushchair, or a solo stroll with a podcast and no agenda — walking helps me think, breathe, reset.

It’s not about “steps” or fitness. It’s about movement that feels like a break. Even five minutes around the garden counts. Especially if I get to drink my tea while it’s still warm.

🎨 3. Drawing on My iPad: Creating Just for Fun Again

I used to doodle and draw without purpose — just because it felt good. After kids, I stopped. (Who had the energy for creativity after another bedtime battle?)

But slowly, I started sketching again — during naps, on the sofa, when I should have been doing the washing. The iPad made it easy and mess-free, and the creativity came back like a sleepy cat. Now I draw portraits, parenting comics, and random squiggles that nobody else understands — and I love it.

✍️ 4. Blogging: Finding My Voice in the Chaos

Blogging always felt like therapy I didn’t have to schedule. After kids, I stopped writing for a while. I thought I didn’t have time or anything to say.

But motherhood changed that — because suddenly I had everything to say. About the mental load. The beauty. The loneliness. The rage-cleaning. The joy. The things we’re told to “just get on with.”

Blogging became my way of saying, “You’re not alone,” while also whispering that back to myself.

The Truth? These Hobbies Saved Me a Bit.

They didn’t make the mess go away. They didn’t give me more hours in the day. But they helped me reconnect to something beyond survival mode.

And the best part? My kids get to see it.

They see a mum who walks, draws, writes, and creates — not because she’s “good at it” or it’s her job, but because it lights her up.

That, to me, is powerful.

Tell Me Yours ✨

Have you rediscovered an old hobby since becoming a parent? Or picked up something new? I’d love to hear about it — drop it in the comments or share it with me over on Instagram or Facebook. Let’s celebrate the ways we’re reclaiming ourselves, one messy, magical hobby at a time.