Hobbies for Moms: Refresh Your Spirit with Enjoyable Rhythms

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’ve written a series of blog posts on creating routines and systems in the home, and there are more to come. But I find it necessary to pause and share something just as important for mothers– the need to prioritize life’s simple joys and rhythms of rest. Namely, the importance of hobbies for mothers.

Motherhood is a beautiful yet demanding journey, and we all need moments of renewal to flourish. Hobbies for moms aren’t a trivial pastime—they’re a gift from God that can bring joy, rest, and refreshment to a mom’s daily life. Whether you’re in a busy season like postpartum or simply longing for a creative outlet, this post will help you find practical ways to make time for hobbies and discover activities that truly nourish your soul.

I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should…take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.

Ecclesiastes 3: 12-13

The Benefits of Having Hobbies as a Mom

The life of a mother is one of sacrifice–gloriously so. This reflects the love of Christ to our families in such a beautiful way, and we should whole-heartedly embrace such a privilege.

Even so, we must acknowledge that we are creatures with God-given limitations. We need rest and renewal. Even Christ stole away to rest and be alone with the Father. 

He slept, He ate, and He was a joy-filled carpenter (who likely delighted in the work and invested time to build his skill). We ought to learn from this!

God-honoring rest is not the same cringe sentiment that we hear in our culture today about “self-care”. Self-care, per modern culture, encourages escape, self-indulgence, and self-centeredness without true restoration. It promotes self as the highest priority, which conflicts with the teachings of Christ. 

“Self-care”, painted in this way, is incompatible with joyful motherhood. Our home and families are not burdens to be escaped–they are gifts from God!

On the other hand, God honoring rhythms of rest and enjoyment can help us embrace our roles with greater joy and peace. A refreshed mother brings life into the home! In intense seasons (i.e., postpartum, first trimester, illness etc.), this may look like a daily nap. But in other times, restful rhythms can expand into other refreshing and enjoyable activities. Some benefits of having rejuvenating hobbies as mothers include: 

• Emotional Refreshment – Engaging in hobbies provides a welcome pause from the marathon of motherhood.
  
• Physical Renewal – Activities like walking, working out, or gardening increases endorphins (thus, lifts the mood) and provides physical strength.
  
• Mental Clarity – Creative outlets such as writing, painting, embroidery, or music give your mind a break from daily routines. This can help you feel more focused and refreshed to tackle the rest of the day’s demands.
  
• Spiritual Nourishment –Life-giving activities provide moments to slow down, reflect, and draw near to God in the midst of daily responsibilities.
  
• Leading by Example – When moms cultivate a rhythm of both work and refreshment, children learn the beauty of a well-balanced life. It’s important to see mom worship God by enjoying His gifts! (For more on this, read Joe Rigneys excellent book–it’s truly one of my favorites!)

Practical Ways to Incorporate Hobbies into Your Life

For many mothers, it seems unthinkable to incorporate restful rhythms into their days. Some of you may be thinking things like: 

• How in the world do I fit rest and hobbies into my busy day? 
• How can I justify time for myself when there is so much to do?
• I feel like I need permission to rest. 
• I don’t even know what hobbies would be worth my time or energy.
• I want to be productive, and hobbies and rest are incompatible with this.

My sisters, it is easy to push hobbies and rest to the side when there are so many demands on the day. But, remember what Ecclesiastes says about our God– He wants you to take joy in all of your toil! This is His gift to you. 

Your Lord created an entire Sabbath day to show that rhythms of rest are a part of His good and wise design (more on this in another post). You have permission–yes, even a command–to rest!  

Let’s look at different ways that you can incorporate rest and hobbies into your days. It will change depending on the season!

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11: 28-30

Morning

If you’ve already read my posts, you know that I am a big believer in a solid morning routine. The morning time, while the household is quiet, is a wonderful time for refreshing activities. 

For the Christian mother, the greatest soul refreshment comes from abiding in Christ (Matthew 11: 28-30; John 15). Be sure to carve out space in your day to be with Him–He waits to be gracious to you. For me, I like to read and pray as a part of my morning routine.

If you have the time, mornings are also a great time to incorporate other hobbies into the day. Some examples are: 

• A morning walk
• Strength or HIIT workout
• Journaling
• Reading
• Knitting or crocheting while listening to an audiobook

Even if it is only for 5-15 minutes, starting the day out with a refreshing activity can start the day out with a sense of refreshment and peace.

Afternoon 

In my blog post on daily routines, I emphasize the importance of an afternoon rest time for the household. I also talk about how to incorporate this into your day if you haven’t already, so check out the post for more details!

Rest time is usually a time of little to no interruptions, and so it is a perfect point in the day to engage in refreshing hobbies for moms. Once your kiddos are in their rooms, use this time to do the things that you need or like a quiet house for:

• Listen to a book or a podcast– you can even do this while folding laundry or doing another mindless activity, if you so wish.
• Handmade Crafts- Work on a knitting or embroidery project while listening to a podcast or book.
• Chip away at a home project
• Gardening – A peaceful way to tend to plants or enjoy fresh air.
• Reading – Enjoying a novel, biography, or devotional to reset before the evening.
• In depth bible study– take the time to do a more in depth study if this is enjoyable for you. 
• Workout– go on a run, sweat, or do some gentle movement. 

And the list goes on! The afternoon is a prime time to incorporate hobbies for moms–even if its just for 15-20 minutes at a time. 

Just be sure that if you are providentially hindered from being able to do your expected rest time activity for a day, that you don’t let this affect your attitude. Trust the Lord’s good and wise purposes in how He establishes your steps!

Enjoy Hobbies With Your Family

Another way to incorporate hobbies into your day is to think about how to enjoy them with your husband and children. That way you don’t feel torn between family time and personal enjoyment. 

This is a wonderful way to model a balanced life to your children and to bond as a family. Some ideas of things you can do together are: 

• Hiking–enjoy the outdoors together!
• Puzzling–I love these family puzzles
• Music– sing together, play instruments, and maybe even work towards a family band! We love Voetberg Music Academy for this. They provide extremely affordable and effective online music lessons for the whole family.
• Baking & Cooking Together – Involving kids in simple meal prep or fun baking projects.
• Gardening – Grow herbs, flowers, or vegetables together and teach your kiddos how to care for plants.
• Painting & Drawing – Set up a creative station for everyone to explore art together. You can watercolor for real while they play!
• DIY & Crafting – Simple projects like hand-lettering, sewing, or making homemade gifts.
• Reading Aloud – Enjoy good books together, whether it’s classic literature or simple picture books.

If you can’t fit this into your daily routine, consider how to include rhythms of relaxed enjoyment with family into your weekly routine. I talk about this more in my blog post here.

Types of Hobbies to Explore

Perhaps you have not really entertained the idea of finding a hobby. I get it. Moms are busy! 

However, finding something that you can regularly enjoy can make such a difference in your daily life as a mom. Here are some ideas that you can consider giving a try.

Creative Hobbies

Some popular creative hobbies that many moms enjoy are:

• Drawing: Start with simple pencil sketches or try out digital art apps, if you’d enjoy that. Listen to some music in the background, or sit outside if it’s nice out!
• Painting: Experiment with different mediums such as watercolors or acrylics, or use a relaxing paint-by-number kit
• Scrapbooking: A way to cherish family memories with your creative outlet
• Crafting: Try out knitting, crochet, embroidery, or making unique jewelry pieces.

Being “talented” isn’t a requirement for engaging in hobbies like the ones above. It can be very enjoyable to completely immerse yourself in creating something. Begin with basic materials, let go of expectations, and explore something new (or revisit an old hobby, if you enjoyed it when you were younger!). 

Outdoor Hobbies 

Spending time outdoors is a great way for mothers to rest and rejuvenate. Engaging in outdoor activities not only benefits our physical health (i.e., vitamin D, fresh air, improves sleep), but the fresh air is emotionally uplifting (boosts endorphins). A win! 

Some outdoor hobbies include:

• Gardening– Gardening allows you to witness growth and transformation while cultivating beauty around your home. 
• Hiking and Biking– these activities offer various difficulty levels and can be enjoyed at most fitness levels. Bring your kiddos along!
• Bird Watching-  it’s like a treasure hunt in nature. Keep a field guide and binoculars handy to identify different species or start a nature journal to document your discoveries.

Learning New Skills 

We are in the age of information, ladies. Our digital age offers endless possibilities for us to expand our knowledge. You can pursue learning just about anything that sparks your interest.

Popular Learning Platforms

• The School of Traditional Skills– learn all things homesteading
• Youtube – There are a multitude of free courses and videos here!
• Duolingo – Free language learning app
• MasterClass – Learn from industry experts about whatever you’d like

The beauty of online learning lies in its flexibility – you can learn at your own pace, during naptime, or in short bursts throughout the day. Whether you’re interested in coding, creative writing, photography, blogging, or mastering a new language, the internet makes it quite possible for moms to plod away at learning new skills. 

Many moms find joy in setting small, achievable learning goals. Start with a 10-minute daily language lesson or a weekly creative class. Your brain will thank you for the mental workout, and your spirit will soar with each new skill mastered.

Culinary Arts (Cooking, Baking)

The kitchen can be a place of peace when you allow yourself to enjoy the process of cooking. Kneading dough for homemade sourdough offers a soothing, rhythmic escape, while the warm scent of fresh bread or cookies fills your home with comfort. 

The simple, hands-on rhythm of cooking—chopping, mixing, kneading—engages your senses and gently anchors you in the present. These simple moments can turn an everyday task into something deeply satisfying.

Cooking: A Canvas for Creativity

Unlike baking, which relies on precise measurements, cooking invites freedom and creativity. In the kitchen, you can:

• Experiment with new flavor combinations
• Adapt recipes to suit your family’s tastes and dietary needs
• Build confidence with new cooking techniques
• Capture and share your creations through photography

For many moms, the kitchen is a place of peaceful renewal—a space to create with love, express creativity, and fill the home with warmth through the simple gift of nourishing their loved ones.

How to Start Today: Practical Next Steps

If you’re ready to embrace the joy of hobbies and restful rhythms but aren’t sure where to begin, start small. You don’t need hours of free time or a drastic lifestyle change—just intentional moments woven into your day.

1. Evaluate Your Current Season – What does life look like for you right now? Are you in an intense season (newborn, illness, a major transition), or do you have a little more breathing room? This will help you set realistic expectations.
   
2. Choose One Refreshing Activity – Pick one hobby or restful practice that excites you. It could be something familiar or completely new. Don’t overthink it—just start!
   
3. Schedule It Into Your Day – Look at your daily rhythm and find a natural place to fit in your hobby, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes. Morning, afternoon rest time, or after the kids are in bed are great options.
   
4. Make It Simple & Sustainable – Set yourself up for success by keeping things easy. If you love reading, keep a book in your bag or by your nursing chair. If you want to start baking, prep ingredients ahead of time. Little steps make a big difference!
   
5. Commit & Give Yourself Permission – Remember, taking time for life-giving activities is not selfish—it’s part of stewarding your well-being for the good of your family. If God has designed rest and refreshment as a part of His good plan, you can embrace it without guilt. Motherhood is a marathon– pace yourself with rejuvenating rhythms. It’ll bless you and yours.

Flourish in Motherhood With Hobbies and Rest

Motherhood is a sacred calling, but it is not meant to be carried in constant weariness. The Lord, in His kindness, has given us not only the work of our hands but also the ability to delight in it. When we embrace restful rhythms and hobbies, we are not escaping our responsibilities—we are equipping ourselves to serve with greater joy and energy.

The beauty of this isn’t just for us—it overflows into our homes. A mother who experiences God-honoring refreshment brings warmth and life to those around her. Our children watch as we model a life of gratitude, balance, and delight in the good gifts of our Creator.

So, dear sister, take joy in your toil. Embrace the small moments of renewal. Know that your work is valuable, but so is your rest. As you cultivate rhythms of refreshment, may your heart be strengthened for the beautiful, worthy calling of motherhood.

“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should…take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” – Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

 ✨ What’s one hobby you’re excited to try?
✨ How do you weave restful rhythms into your day?

Share in the comments—I’d love to hear!

Loving the idea of reclaiming time for a hobby? Keep the momentum going! Check out these posts for more inspiration on creating a home life that nourishes both you and your family. Whether you need simple ways to weave creativity into your daily routine or tips for a more peaceful, joy-filled home, you’ll find encouragement here. Click below to keep reading!