Yesterday I golfed in an event called The Blind Bear. You get paired up with people you may not normally golf with. I drew the golden ticket and was paired with the only professional golfer at our club. It was an amazing day, and I made new friends, which is sometimes hard to do at this stage of my life. 

It got me thinking about how important hobbies are.

Not just to “stay busy,” but to stay curious, engaged, social, creative… and honestly, young.

I truly believe hobbies are one of the best things we can do for ourselves.

They introduce us to new people.
They give us things to look forward to.
They keep our minds active.
And they help us continue growing long after the phase of life where we are raising kids and running nonstop.

I also think hobbies are incredibly important if you own a business of any kind. Meeting new people is healthy. Nurturing the relationships already in our lives is important too. Hobbies create connection, stories, conversations, and community.

For me, hobbies are also intentional. If I don’t schedule things, they probably won’t happen. 😄

Now… I fully admit I overcommit sometimes.

But I also feel like I’m living a really full and fun life.

When my girls were little, there honestly wasn’t much time for hobbies. I was a single mom, working full-time, running my business, and trying to keep up with family life. But once the kids grew up, I suddenly found this strange little void of time that needed to be filled.

So first… I got my two dogs. They were wonderful.

And then I started trying hobbies.

First pottery.
Then stained glass.
Then watercolor painting.
Baking.
Sugar cookie decorating.
Joining a band, again.
Gardening.
Golf.
Mahjong.
Volunteering.

And Always Reading

And eventually… writing.

Writing started as just a hobby. Something creative and fun to try.

And now here we are. 💛

My life is very full these days. I still work pretty much full-time, and as you know, I’m also a grandma to five sweet little grandbabies. Because of that, I really savor my downtime too.

But I can honestly say this:

I am never bored.
And I am never lonely.

If you’ve been thinking about trying something new, I really want to encourage you to do it.

Sign up for the beginner class.
Go to the scary group.
Take the lesson.
Show up not knowing anyone.
Put yourself out there a little bit.

You truly never know where it might lead.

One little hobby might introduce you to lifelong friends… or completely change the direction of your life.

Is there something you’ve always wanted to try?

Do it.

One of my favorite quotes is from Erma Bombeck:

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”

I just love that.

Happy reading—and happy living,

Lyssa