NaBloPoMo Day 3: Hobbies

Hobbies! Hobbies are basically what run my life and most of my thoughts. Sometimes I wish I dedicated more mental space to social issues, charity, or somehow bettering the world.

For a long time, I was the type of person who didn't have any hobbies, and now I probably have too many!

Running: I've already written about running so I'm not going to write about it again. I try to run at least once a week, preferably more. Since I'm training for a long race now, I will be running about 3-4 times a week starting soon.


Curling: I started curling in Iqaluit in 2009 and I'm still keeping at it, although I am curling less this year as this autumn has been so busy and I needed a bit of a break. When I am curling, it's once a week.

Hockey: I started in 2013 and I love it, although I am finding it hard to improve given there are precious few classes for adults, especially where I live. I play twice a week.


Sewing/quilting: I'm going to write more about it tomorrow, but sewing is the main thing I find hard to balance with everything else. On average I sit down at my machine once or twice a month, but I'd ideally like to increase that to once or twice a week.

I also go to a quilter's guild once a month and it's a meeting where we talk about all things quilting.

Hand embroidery: I love doing hand embroidery but I never seem to dedicate enough time to it. It's a time consuming craft and no matter how much my brain seems to burst with ideas, I don't often to sit down and work on it. I'd say I do one or two small hand embroidery projects a year.


Baking/cake decorating: I've always loved to bake goodies. I don't get too fancy, but I love making squares, cakes, truffles and cookies. In 2012, I took three of the Wilton classes (which I blogged about). I loved doing the classes although they were a lot of work! I never planned to decorate cakes regularly or professionally, I just like having the skills tucked away for when I do need them. I'd say I bake maybe once or twice a month, but sometimes more.

So as you can see, I keep pretty busy. All of this is on top of working full-time, doing normal adult things like cooking, errands, regular orthodontist appointments, and making time to go out of town 2-3 weekends a month to see Anthony. It's a busy life. I used to watch movies and hang out with friends when I was younger, but I don't really do that anymore because I don't have time. I also used to be involved in community theatre but I've more or less given up on that due to time restraints as well.

I love having so many hobbies but I find myself often feeling guilty that I can't dedicate more time to each of them. Both running and sewing take up a considerable amount of time and for me, aren't just as easy as jumping out the door for a quick run, or turning on the sewing machine and sewing. Running requires 15-20 minutes of prep time because I have to take my inhaler, and then I need to shower when I get home. My desk is also my sewing table so I have to set everything up if I want to do any bit of sewing. Generally if I'm doing a lot of sewing, I'm not doing much running, and vice versa.

It is frustrating feeling guilty so much of the time about these things, and certainly I didn't take up hobbies just to have negative feelings about it. I'll be writing more about it on the 6th but I think I am turning a corner in spending my time at home more efficiently. Easier said than done, though!