I love hobbies! I find it really tempting to pick up ones that are sort of related to something I already do. So... what about beading? As in beading fabric/clothing/soft furnishings? I learned it when I wanted to make a 1920s Lanvin dress (http://www.metmuseum.org/art/c.....rch/157340), and the actual beading was immensely fun. If you already make jewelry, you're probably experienced enough that handling small beads won't be a challenge.

Loads of great ideas here. I'm just adding mine because I haven't seen it:
singing.

Choir was my sanity saver ever since little kids (and even before). Fun, social, challenging, creative. Once kiddo #4 flew the coop, I signed up for a group guitar class, and volunteered to sing with our church praise team, so more challenge and also more time commitment. As an outgrowth of that, I started writing songs again, although me that rarely happens "on purpose".

Kayaking in lake, early morning.... I'm insanely jealous of you, Xtabay... Where, oh where do you stay?

I'm running my first 5k this Sunday, scraped,bandaged knee and all... Someone commented that it looked like I was deep into my mid-life crisis.
I still have young kids so can't afford a lot of free time, but 2/3 short trips alone is what I'm looking forward to from this year on..

I love needle felting although I haven't done it in a while. Something very therapeutic about repeatedly stabbing wool felt with a needle

I am getting into mushrooms too! I won't eat them from the wild as they are too scary to me but I love taking pictures

My favorite hobbies involve sitting (playing piano, embroidery, reading), so I'm trying to do things that get me up and moving around.

Hi Nishaa--I'm an Austin, Texas resident. We have the Colorado River (also known as Town Lake) running right through the city, and there are several places to rent kayaks, sculls, paddleboards, and other watercraft. So peaceful to be on the water! I love seeing the herons, egrets, and other birds enjoying the morning with me. It's good for the soul, and you just kind of forget you're in the middle of a large, bustling city.

Best of luck with your 5K! It's still too hot here to even think about that!

Running, quilt making, sewing other items (not clothing), reading, journaling, making greeting cards, house chores, and WORK take up most of my time. I enjoy walking on trails, birdwatching, going to the zoo, cooking/entertaining on our patio, etc., when I do have more time.

There are so many interesting and beautiful things to do now, with easier travel, varied communities, etc.

Suz, the stuff I should have done 5 years ago is still undone. I'm making a conscious effort not to wait until everything is done to have an enjoyable life. I used to think I didn't deserve it unless the house was done, etc. I decided to add in fun things, and I leave the house undone.
Which has pluses and minuses. But I'm happier. And because we are doing fun things together, I feel more bonded.
And we're not working, kids have flown the coop (although currently one is here a few nights of week while working here), DS does more of the chores than me, etc.

I'm with Suz, Helen11 and AviaMariah - I'm in time poor mode.

In fact I've been tempted to write to YLF explaining why I'm such a poor particpant, and often think I should give up being on here at all. It is all about time.

I have assumed that everyone here is as busy as I am, but this thread has shown me that may not be the case. I am a mother of three, am married to a church planting husband (that means lots of activities at our house), do music at church, work four days a week, am on a couple of committees, spend nearly 2 hours a day commuting and try to get enough exercise and read to my kids most days.

I do enjoy reading on the bus, and manage about 2 1/2 hours TV a week. On weekends I enjoy trying new recipes, but have to be careful to not to overdo cooking efforts or I get too tired. Like Barbara Diane I do leave lots of things undone! (After 9:30 or 10pm I have little ability to do housework) I'm pretty sure some of you would be shocked at my housekeeping shortcuts and low standards and I really need to invest a little time in making things easiers (eg setting up online shopping)

I can think of heaps of things I'd like to do when the kids leave (Like Lyn said on Staysfit's thread that's unlikely to be soon, as australian kids in metro areas usually stay at home to study) ranging from helping people to joining book clubs, choirs and community theatre.

Right now, my 2 recent new things in brief snatches in time are crochet (re-taught myself last week and have made a dolls's hat. Since I don't like the look of crochet for my style I'll just be making toys clothes). I'm also occasionally trying to teach myself to read music for the piano using letter chords, instead of notes on a stave.

What I'd most like time for really though, if to spend time with friends and make new ones. I see one good friend 4 times a year, other less. I've met two people this year who asked if I wanted to have coffee with them and I haven't had time to pursue it.

Sorry that was a long response...

I'm in awe of the mushrooming, Una. I'd love to do that!!!

I've always resented/admired DH for his commitment to his passion, music. In the last 10 years, he has intensified his abilities on acoustic and electric guitar, learned the mandolin, played in a local garage band, and joined a bluegrass group. Aargh!!! How can men find time for this stuff? (Answer: because they can let everything else go, like the house, the pets, the groceries, etc.)

Anyway.... now that we are empty-nesters, I am really trying to put more time into developing some of my own passions beyond the obvious (which for me include books, yoga, the outdoors).

This means a creative path for me (not to produce or sell, but just for me/friends). I've always drawn/painted simple little cartoony things, so I am trying to do that more. A friend of my daughter has asked me to do a set of cartoony portraits for her apartment. And my dream is to do a graphic memoir of some kind, not necessarily with a strong narrative thread but more a compilation of images and memories. (One picture below; me with two sisters after a little caper.)

And a couple of weeks ago I took a woodcut class and I am totally hooked, so I plan to do more of that this winter. (Another picture below; I carved out the print; it was incredibly meditative and satisfying. I have a million images in my head I want to do next.) Not sure I can rival my husband for productivity, but I am trying to commit some hours to myself (and stay away from Netflix, which is my rabbit hole.)

Anne, I am in the same boat - busy middle schooler, high stress full time job, working spouse, pets, etc. Time with friends and family comes first always, so often my house is a mess and my garden has not been weeded since my son was born. I am both time-poor and interest-rich, which makes for a lot of dabbling.

I do hope you can find time for your friends - to me that's not a luxury but a necessity for me to stay sane (if you can call it that!).

BD, I totally understand that need to feel like things are "done" first - I never understood why my DH could sit and watch TV with a basket of unfolded laundry waiting. Then I decided he had the right idea, and he discovered he could watch TV AND fold- win/win!

Viv, I just took a painting class and learned how to paint birches! Here's my first sorry attempt! Love your woodcuts and sketch - you should make cards, and yes to a graphic novel. There is something so therapeutic about getting completely absorbed in art.

I love your birches! It reminds me of painting a backdrop for my daughter's second grade book report presentation years ago -- which included palm trees. I was painting on a sheet, and the brush got kind of caught on the sheet, and when I stroked downwards, it made a sort of stutter stroke that perfectly resembled bark. It turned out to be accidental genius. It's nice when that happens.

Totally agree on the therapeutic value of absorption in art. I just have to put it in my calendar so I actually dedicate the time to it.

Thanks Xtabay... Sounds good.
It's still hot here but any day is good for a fun run at 5:30 in morning.

Viva, both of your pieces display your talent. Keep going!
Alaskagirl, I like your birch trees. Keep it up.
Anne, I'm glad you realized we aren't all as time pressed as you. You are very busy. Cut yourself a break, and participate as much as you want whenever you want.

Una - Yes I though you were in the same boat. I like your description of "time poor interest rich". I also do zilch in the garden, though we hardly have one anyway, it's so small.
The friends thinks is difficult, because I guess I mean friends my own age - but I have LOTS of people activity which can tend to use up my social interaction sort of personal quota.
Babara Diane, thanks for the empathy - and here's me replying 2 days later (which is the sort of forum behaviour I feel guilty about!)
Anyway, not really what your thread it about.
I've finished crocheting a hat for a teddy. New doll sweater is the next plan!

I've been trying to get more into photography. But with my back I'm limited as to long periods of standing, squatting, bending, twisting etc. And I'm a bit frustrated at my progress.