Sunday
Feb222009
Day 7 of 15 Days of Work/Balance: Finding an Offline Hobby
Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 1:35PM
So I'm sitting next to my husband tonight as I'm on the computer (again) and we're watching Grey's Anatomy. I've been thinking about writing this post all day and decide I'm going to test out my idea by sharing it with my husband.
You see, this past summer I realized that gadgets and the web ARE my hobby and I was ecstatic that career-wise I was doing what I love! But now I'm beginning to think that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
Me: "You know, I'm thinking I should figure out a hobby that isn't tech-related. Just to get some balance." (Laptop on lap, looking up from where I've been tweeting).
Hubs: "Mmmmm hmmmm. So what are you thinking about?"
Me: "I don't know. I think I'll blog about."
My husband then starts cracking up and shaking his head.
He chuckles and says, "That's like someone saying they need to go on a diet and that they're going to go seek support from their friends at McDonalds."
Touche.
But it's true...I'd love to explore some ideas about a new skill/hobby that I can explore and learn. I don't know if that's going to be trail running, healing arts, painting, beading, crochet, magic tricks or sea monkey breeding.
However, I'm hoping you all can give me some ideas. Share your hobbies that you are passionate about and how you discovered them. I'd love to know the resources that you'd recommend and how your own hobby has enriched your life.
Related articles by Zemanta
- HOW TO: Beginner's tatted pendant (craftzine.com)
- Weekly Geeks -- February 1, 2009 (bookingmama.blogspot.com)
- January is National Hobby Month (teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_a.png?x-id=567a0028-b2c0-4a74-a310-810e984c17c9)
Reader Comments (10)
I find that scrapbooking and journaling throughout the scrapbook is a great outlet! I also sew a lot and that is fun time away from the computer.
I particularly love things that require the use of a needle. My last HUGE project was making my daugher's ring pillow for her wedding last year. I used embroidered lace on the top. I beaded the entire top and I used a special thread to outline every inch of it. There must be 10M stitches in the top of that pillow and at least 1000 bead or more. It was an instant heirloom. I know I was almost cross-eyed many days after working 6 hours on it at a time.
I loved shopping for the laces, the beads and the threads that I used. Beading is a hobby that doesn't take up too much room. I bought wide but flat organizer with small compartments in it to store everything I had from needles, to wax (for the thread to stop it from tangling), to the beads.
Yesterday I got Photoshop CS 4. It will be my new hobby. I sew, crochet, embroider, cross-stitch, garden and lots of other things. Soon I'll plant and I can garden in the mornings and use Photoshop when it gets too hot outside.
My brain always seems to cycle back to blogging though. ROFL
My "hobby" is working on my own self growth and awareness. This hobby is the greatest gift I could possibly give myself and my family. As I become more aware of the truth of who I am, I am more grateful, I show more appreciation, I am more joyful and everyday I am a living example for my children. As an added benefit, I experience far more abundance in my life. To me, if you are looking for something to do with your time offline, try being alone and going within, meditating, praying, and finding the deep perfection that you are. If you are looking for more of a group experience, there are many courses you can take, events you can attend that will bring you closer to self awareness. Love and blessings, Alexis
Photography. Whether taking still photos or making videos, it is something you can do indoors or outdoors. I started a Project 365 this January 1st, where I take and post one photo per day that represents that day in my life, and I've haven't had this much fun in ages! I also make videos of my life in the San Gabriel Valley and post them on my YouTube channel. I'm not saying I am the greatest at these, but I don't care. As long as they make me happy and fulfilled that is all that matters. :-)
I knit - mostly baby blankets for friends - but also sweaters for myself and my kids. I find that I can do it while watching TV so my luxury [tv time] is also productive time. I have also found that as a writer the knitting time is great for letting ideas stew about in my head. It works for me and I like keeping an 'ancient art' alive:)
Local colleges and community colleges have neat classes for adults that last only a weekend or a few week. Ours has things like "Greek Cooking", "Photography", and other hobby and craft type pursuits.
I used to make stained glass windows and I really enjoyed it.
Come join my book club!
LMAO here...sounds like a comeback from my husband!
Does couponing count since I blog about it?
Otherwise, it is called interacting with other moms at sporting events. That would be my only other "hobby" that is non tech related!
It's been hard for me not to integrate my hobbies into my online life.
- I love to read, and often blog about the concepts I've learned.
- I love photography, and often post photos that I've taken to my blog.
- I've been wanting to do video for forever, and I just started that as well.
I just made my hobby my job too, but so far it hasn't been too much... I think I just really heart social media :)
I think this is a brilliant suggestion. Too many of my techie friends don't have any offline hobbies, which I find to be problematic. While I like being online as much as the next girl, if I didn't have my running, I don't know how I would stay sane. I run to clear my mind, to get out stress, to brainstorm, and to remind myself how strong I am...all reinvigorating, positive results that help me to be a better all-around human.
I vote for you trail running. :)