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Rochester Local

How Embracing a Hobby Made Me a Better Mom

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Sometimes as moms, we find ourselves in a season of survival. Especially, if like me, you had 3 kids very close together. Considering pregnancy hormones, postpartum recovery, breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, sickness etc… every day for over 3 years felt like survival.

But I started feeling lost in survival mode. Who was I anymore? Was there any me left? Not really. I was depleted, tired and stressed. I wanted to really enjoy the moments and thrive. 

Once I could clearly see above the water, I could assess what direction my boat was headed in. I felt determined to overcome survival mode and start intentionally living as the best mom that I could be. I wanted to be sailing somewhere. After some self reflection, I decided that my starting point would be to re-decorate my bedroom and make a space for myself that I loved. I wanted a space my own, free of baby things and toys, somewhere where I could be the person I remember being before having kids. The other goal was to improve my mental health. It did more than that though, because through the experience of making over my bedroom I discovered a new hobby.

I fell in love with painting furniture. I had this really old dresser set that I had dreamed of painting since we found them on Craigslist.  Finally, I decided to do it. It felt so refreshing to create something new out of something old and to get in touch with my creative side.

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I realized that when I painted furniture, and took time for myself, I was happy and thriving. Something else started to happen too. I noticed my kids took more of an interest in me as a person. They were curious about what I was doing, and my son (who was 4 at the time) even told me one day that he was proud of me! How precious that moment was. It was fascinating how my kids got to know me in a new way. I wasn’t just their caregiver or disciplinarian, I was a person with outside interests. They wanted to know more about what I was doing and more about me. As a result, our relationship deepened. I was inspired to allow them their own creative outlets as they sought to follow my example. This new passion of mine spilled over into my mothering. I thought it would be good for me, but it was also good for them. 

 better mom, creative side, exploring your creative side, hobby, mom, mommy is a person, new hobby, self-care, stay at home mom, taking time for yourself

I wasn’t just surviving anymore, I was thriving. The time I spent by myself painting furniture allowed me time to reflect and process things. It was the perfect form of therapy for me, the perfect mental break from my norm. I was refreshed and inspired. I was a better mom.

It’s been almost 2 years since then and I have taken on a few other furniture updating projects in my home. Each and every project has been well worth the effort! I have rediscovered myself as a person, and that has made me feel more secure in my roles of wife and mother. This new hobby gave me the opportunity to express my creativity, to develop my skills of time management, and organization. Not to mention it was just an activity I really enjoyed.

 better mom, creative side, exploring your creative side, hobby, mom, mommy is a person, new hobby, self-care, stay at home mom, taking time for yourself

That season of survival was necessary. There wasn’t anything I could have done to make that season shorter, and that is okay. But when you feel the timing is right, I hope that you can also find something you love to do aside from mothering. Take some time to discover a new hobby or pick up an old one. I bet it will give you a zest and passion for life that will make you a better mom too.

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