For months, now, my mind has been restless.
While part of me is pretty sure I have enough on my plate with just the basic, everyday tasks that come with being a wife, a mom, a volunteer… another part of me is curious, searching, looking for something new.
Something new to learn.
Oh, I don’t want to ditch my wife and mom responsibilities. I’m just looking for a new hobby.
It’s crazy, really. I don’t exactly need a new hobby.
I’d probably do well to spend my time trying to improve some simple life-skills. Such as housekeeping. Or frugality. Or organizing. Or parenting.
It would probably also make sense to focus on one of my existing hobbies, to spend time learning more, increasing my skill level, exploring new aspects. After all, I knit, I crochet, I bake, I write, I play Wii (okay, that doesn’t count). But really, I’m far from an expert in any of those areas. There’s plenty of room for growth and improvement.
Yet, I still feel like I want to learn about and explore something new.
Such as? you ask.
Well, here are some things I’ve been reading about, researching. I’m curious about each one, and could easily dive headlong into any one of them.
1. Computer programming. Yeah, I know, people major in this subject in college. It’s not usually a light hobby on the side. But I’d love to learn the nuts and bolts of programming, and learn to do something fun like build a simple iPhone app. I don’t have to be able to construct an operating system; I’d just like to have some basic level of competence.
2. Website development. On a slightly smaller scale, I’ve considered focusing on the type of computer coding specifically related to websites. I think it would be lots of fun to build a WordPress theme from scratch, and to master enough HTML and PHP and CSS to make a website do what I want it to do.
3. Sewing. Ah-ha! I caught you off guard there, didn’t I? You thought this was going to be a completely geeky list. But no. I’m interested in some non-geeky stuff, too. Here’s a confession: I’ve never, ever used a sewing machine. Not for one single stitch. In fact, with a needle and thread, I can barely sew a button on a shirt. It’s pathetic, really. So I’d like to learn — how to use a sewing machine, how to hem a pair of pants, how to sew a curtain, how to make my kids flannel jammies.
4. Drawing. Here’s another confession: I can not draw a circle. I can not draw a straight line. I have no drawing skills whatsoever. The other day. L (3) asked me to draw Bob & Larry (from Veggie Tales). Bob and Larry are pretty simple — they are a tomato and a cucumber, after all. But could I draw them? Well… I tried. And then L. asked me why I made them so scary-looking. Sigh… I know I’ll never be an artist. But if I could learn some very basic techniques, if I could learn to put something on paper that looks like more than scribbles, that’d be cool.
There are more topics I’m interested in. In fact, if you caught a glimpse of my Amazon.com browsing history, you’d wonder if I have adult ADD. Book after book, topic after topic. But really — there’s just so much out there to learn, and sometimes I want to try it all.
But I think I’m going to make myself pick. I’m going to tackle only one — okay, maybe two — at a time. Now I just have to decide where to start.
What about you? If you were going to tackle a new hobby — anything at all, what would you want to explore?
I love your list Katrina. I’m so glad to know that I’m not the only one that would like to learn something new, although I swear, I have no time to dive in as deep as you are willing! I happen to know a great guy that could sure help you with #1 & #2 or at least point you to some good resources. For me, I’ve always wanted to learn gardening (and also have the time to devote to it), and flower arranging. I always thought it would be cool to work for a florist for a month just to learn. Oh, and I’d like to be a Starbucks Barista for just one day. (They’d probably fire me after an hour for being too slow, but it’d be fun to try.)
Hmm, that’s a tough one. I have no inclinations toward being geeky, so numbers 1 & 2 are out. (If I could figure out how to set up a computer out of the box I would be happy) Being a more creative person, 3 & 4 sound good. Personally I can think of nothing better to give your children than home-made jammies with different length legs and arms! Then take lots of pictures and post for the worlds viewing pleasure. You could always learn to do something like roofing or plumbing, get in touch with your manly side.
Well funny you should write this, cuz this is exactly where I am. I have a degree in Psych, but I am thinking of maybe going back to school, just to take a few classes like photography or culinary arts. I love being a stay at home mom, but recently I’ve been feeling like there’s something else I’m supposed to be doing. So I am excited to find out what that something is!
I think having hobbies and learning new things is important. That said, I tried sewing, began screaming at the machine, and decided NEVER to do that to myself again. ;D I wish you more luck!
LOL. A scary veggie tale character. May it never be. Oh that L. cracks me right up.
Good for you Katrina! I say go for it!
I am SEW with you on #3
I’d like to sew or knit. But, when I mentioned that to my hubby a couple of days ago he said, “No, you wouldn’t. It would cut into your reading time.”
That man knows me so well.
Ah, nice to know I’m not the only one who finds herself “all over the place” sometimes when it comes to learning. My top side aspiration is to become a good enough artist to draw out of my head! Not like I don’t have enough on my plate right now though! Sounds like a fun mix of endeavors ahead for you though!
I so know where your coming from. I would also love to learn enough about HTML and PHP and CSS to make a website do what I want it to do. I see all these neat websites out there and think, gee that would be nice to have.
Sewing? I know nothing about. My hubby sews our buttons on.
I actually want to be better at sewing, whether that be by hand or using a sewing machine. But I also really want to cook and bake more complex things. Good luck on your endeavors!
My choice is sleep. Mom
I have recently gotten into sewing and I love it! It is so relaxing and i feel so clever when I complete a project. This year, I made everyone I know a little travel pillow as a Christmas gift. With coupons and sale fabric, they were a bargain gift made with my own little hands and looked a lot harder to make than they actually were. Take up sewing! You’ll find so many great things to make for the boys!
I’m with you on the web design. I know basic html but anything more complicated than that is beyond me. And while I can sew (not very well, but I can do it) I’d love to learn to knit. And I’ve always wanted to take a photography class, and learn to play the piano…. Yeah, no shortage of things I want to learn here, just a shortage of time (and money) to do it all!
Ahhh…I’ll be blogging about this soon, but I am learning how to knit and how to cook. At 49, I thought the latter was past due!
I was just telling Michael that I wanted to become a pilates instructor or a professional organizer. He asked me what about the business you already have? I have not given up on my list – yet.
I’m not a goal setter. I usually like to take life as it comes at me. But this year I’m going to do things differently. I’m laying out the year ahead of me and listing how I’d like to fill it up.
Hi, Katrina! I would love to learn to sew, also. I bought a SUPER CHEAP sewing machine off of the tv in hopes of teaching myself without an investment. Haven’t even opened the box, and no, I don’t want to share how long I’ve had it. :0)
I, too, cannot draw. AT ALL. My little boys draw much better than me. I am so thankful that they must have taken after their dad in that area. I even took “bonehead” art in college and was flunking before I withdrew. It was a truly awful and humiliating experience!
Best wishes on your list and have fun!
So if Wii doesn’t count, I guess ipod touch app games don’t count either?? I’ve been meaning to tell you that I hold you completely responsible for my current Chocolatier addiction, because you mentioned once that you played it on the computer.
I’ve thought of trying to crochet (I know the basics) or learn to knit. I own a sewing machine, but haven’t used it in years (and years!!). I decided that it’s not really cost-effective, though I might like to use it for some home items (pillows, curtains etc).
As for you, I think you should learn more about web design, and you could start a little business. I think you’d like the challenge, and it would be an income source.
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My mom once tried to teach me to sew (she’s an amazingly talented seamstress). Didn’t work.
I cannot draw either. Not anything. My boys would ask me to draw them something, an airplane or what-have-you and I’d have to decline. I knew better than to even attempt. I can’t sing either but I’m not sure that’s something you can learn.
I’ve been thinking about taking some drawing & painting classes at our local community college. I can draw a little, but would like to learn more. A lot more. Especially techniques. The last time I had any lessons like that was high school.
I’d like to get into blog design. But I don’t have the funds for classes at the moment.
Wow, that’s my list too! Except I actually do the art… *laughs* (Oh, by the way, if you stick to characters which are not already established, then you can have a lot of fun drawing for your kids. I specifically remember potato-man and peanut-man from my childhood, and my mom swears she can’t draw a circle just like you.)
I think I could qualify for adult ADD, too. I have so many things I like to do, that I jump from one subject to another easily.
Lately, however, I have read in several different places that it’s not good for our brains to multitask. We lose efficiency when we take on a lot at one time because of the time it takes to regroup. So, I guess the longwinded answer to your question is… I want to clear out some of my clutter, so that I can find my desk and tap back in to that creative genious of writing!