Learning comes alive when your reading, watching, and doing connect around one idea. It turns scattered input into a meaningful journey. [ + free PDF ] The first time I intentionally added themed learning to my own personal pursuits was when we were studying Medieval European History. I was reading aloud from our text and…
All posts tagged hobbies
How to Design Your Own Personal Curriculum
Borrow the best parts of academia and make them work for your personal growth. [ Detailed How-To + free PDF ] It was a summer evening after the kids had gone to bed. When our college students are home, my husband and I have a routine of lounging on the couches with books or scrolling…
The Roots of My Hobby Obsession
I come from working-class dreamers who never stopped learning. Growing up, I watched my grandparents turn their free time into something meaningful and that shaped me more than I realized. There is a powerful thread woven through the generations before us when we learn skills from the past. At times it may seem like our…
From Stuck to Inspired: A Hobby-Starting Framework
A simple, thoughtful process to help you brainstorm, reflect, and finally begin a hobby that feels realistic, joyful, and life-giving. . In this summer hobby series we have talked about what constraints and obstacles keeping us from hobbies we enjoy. I believe that if you struggle to add in a hobby in your busy life,…
When Hobbies Feel Out of Reach
You’re not lazy, you’re blocked. Let’s talk about constraints and obstacles keeping us from hobbies we enjoy. When I discuss hobbies with someone in person, the first reaction is often a quiet sigh, followed by a sense of guilt or regret. “Every time I try to sit down and work on something creative, I get…
How I Became an Angry Mom & the Antidote I Found
Lifelong learning in the margins & how small curiosities brought me back to life. There is an unparalleled exhaustion to understanding and then meeting the needs of babies and small children. They are compelled to demand what they need at all times of the day and night. This is a tremendous strain and physically draining,…
Ep.#013 – The Power of Hobbies in Adulting
Looking to break the monotony of adult life? This week, I dive into why hobbies are more than just fun—they’re essential for joy and balance. What if a hobby could actually make adult life more meaningful? I refuse to believe that adult life is meant to be miserable. I accept that this world is difficult,…
Hobby Revival: Overcoming Obstacles to Rekindle Your Passion
I have so much to do! Yes. True. But, if I do not get dirt under my nails from gardening, or make a mess with candle making, then what kind of life is that? Choosing to spend time on a hobby and chase the fun is worth it. In this previous post I wrote about…
I Suck at Piano – Lessons in Humility
I was a very capable adult. I had three kids already. I had taught myself gardening, canning, knitting, and how to cook from scratch. How hard would it be to take piano lessons? I was already homeschooling my oldest two. I would often get impatient when they were learning how to read or add simple…
Calling Myself A Writer
My Story: So much of what I do is invisible. I invest in things that cannot be seen. That gets undone within hours or days. The quiet soul work that happens between me and God cannot be seen. Homeschooling is a daily investment that will take years for the results to be seen. The house…