Finding Happiness with Less

Since having my daughter last November, I’ve come to a big realization: my free time has basically disappeared. Even though I’m still on maternity leave, I already feel the squeeze—so I can only imagine how it’ll be once I return to work in October.

Before becoming a mom, I had a ton of hobbies and was always eager to try something new. But honestly, even back then, I wasn’t doing all the things I wanted to do. So now, as part of decluttering my life, I’ve decided to declutter my hobbies too. I’m streamlining and focusing on the ones that truly bring me joy and fit into my new lifestyle.

Here are the hobbies I’m sticking with—for now:

Triathlon Training

Before I got pregnant, I had just started training for triathlons—and I loved it. It’s such a dynamic sport, with swimming, biking, and running all rolled into one. It’s hard to get bored when you’re switching things up all the time. I’m hoping to get back into it slowly as my schedule allows.

Coloring (Yes, Really!)

I picked this up over the winter, and it quickly became one of my favorite ways to relax. It’s super easy to take out and put away (a big plus with a baby around), and I especially enjoy color-by-number books. It’s like meditating, but with markers.

Blogging

This is a new one for me, but I’ve really gotten into it. It helps me stay accountable in my decluttering journey and gives me a creative outlet. Plus, I can write a quick post from my phone during nap time or while waiting in line—perfect for mom life.

Reading

Reading has been a constant in my life since I was a kid. These days, I squeeze it in with audiobooks in the car or ebooks on my Kindle when I get a quiet moment. It’s one of the few hobbies that doesn’t require much setup, which makes it a winner in my book (pun intended).

Knitting & Crocheting (On Pause)

I’ve kept my knitting and crochet supplies, even though I don’t really touch them right now. I imagine I’ll come back to them in a few years—maybe while sitting on the sidelines of my daughter’s future soccer games. It’s nice to know they’ll be there when I’m ready.

So that’s where I’ve landed. I’ve pared down my hobbies to the ones that fit my current season of life. It feels good—less pressure, more enjoyment. And who knows, I might pick up a few more in the future. But for now, this feels just right.