By Sharon Williams

Contributing writer

Hobbies are the things we do that make life fun.  When I started my blog in 2011, I found that many of the people I interacted with felt like they were just too busy to have a hobby.  They had too many things in their life that were important and hobbies had to be put on hold. 

But I think it’s the opposite.  The busier we are, the more important it is to take a few minutes to focus on something we just love to do. 

Whether you are in the middle of middle of night feedings and diaper changes, a full-time taxi cab driver for your school-age kids, retired with a million volunteer organizations and doctors visits calling your name or living a single life with multiple jobs and responsibilities, there is always a way to have fun with your hobbies.

Try these tips and see if you can rediscover the things that make life special!  Let me know if they help you find ways to have fun with your hobbies!

• Don’t overthink it:  If you only have a few minutes each week to do something fun, don’t waste those minutes doing too much thinking. 

If you spend your limited time planning to pursue your hobby,  then you may lose the opportunity to jump in and actually do your hobby. 

If you love to scrapbook but don’t have much time, then don’t spend all your time planning your page. Love to create afghans but afraid you’ll run out of time?  Just hop in and start scrapping or crocheting and see how far you can get! 

• Don’t procrastinate:  There will never be a better time than now.   If you want to learn to play the drums but don’t have a drum set, don’t wait to learn.  Just find some lessons on Youtube.  We found this cool Youtuber who teaches you how to play the drums without the actual instrument.  No reason to put it off till next year.   

Interested in reading the newest Harry Potter book?  Don’t wait till you get time off for the holidays.  Just order it online or get it from your library and start reading.   

• Don’t make excuses: We will never accomplish anything if we keep telling ourself how busy we are or how slow we are at learning something new.  Sometimes we give ourselves excuses to make us feel a little better when we don’t spend time on our hobbies.  If there is something we love to do, then we will make time to do something toward that goal. 

• Hobbies are worth it:  It’s easy to get caught up in our hobbies and think we have to be the absolute best at everything we do. 

But in reality, hobbies are something we should just love to do. 

When I first started blogging, someone asked me how long I planned to do this.  My answer is the same now as it was years ago.  “I will continue to blog as long as it is fun and rewarding!”

Six years into my journey as a blogger and I still love it!.

When it comes down to the end of our journey, we will remember the things we loved doing and not regret the time spent pursuing our passions.  The memories spent with family and friends pursuing our hobbies and living life are the things that count.    

So what are you going to do this week?  Start an afghan?  Read a new book?  Go exploring?  Take your dog out on a walk?  Do one scrapbook page?

What can you do today to have some fun with your hobbies?  I’d love to hear!

For more ideas on hobbies and life, check out Hobbies on a Budget. (www.hobbiesonabudget.com).