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 interrupted or feel like I should be doing something more productive.”
“I don’t even know what I enjoy anymore, I’ve been in survival mode for so long.”
“I keep buying supplies for hobbies I want to do, but they sit untouched.”
“I always put it off until I’ve ‘caught up’ on everything else… but I never actually catch up.”
“I scroll and watch other people doing creative things, and then feel worse that I’m not doing it too.”
Sound familiar?
This summer, I want to have a different kind of conversation about hobbies.
Not one centered around pressure or productivity, but around permission, curiosity, and joy. We all have things in our lives that make an impact on us.
Many of us have lost touch with the activities that used to light us up—not because we don’t care, but because life has been a lot.
So let’s start there.
Let’s talk about the real obstacles that keep us from doing what we love. And let’s see what small shifts might bring hobbies back into reach, not as a luxury, but as a vital part of our well-being.
Don’t let this list be depressing, let it be enlightening.
Maybe the reason you haven’t spent time on a hobby is more than sheer willpower or lack of time. In this hectic modern world, there is so much more that we have working against us.
Honesty is the best way to move forward.
Before we can create a solution, we have to define the problem in a clear way so that we can move forward.

So, what are some constraints that we might face?
Let’s look at a few of these together. Once we see them clearly, it’s easier to move around them (or gently push back).
Job & Schedule
Do you have a demanding job that leaves you craving something restful in your downtime? Or maybe you have a bit more flexibility, and you can fit in hobbies that require extra time or energy. Either way, your work life shapes how and when you unwind.
Life Stage
Whether you’re a student, parent, or retiree, your days look different, and so do your opportunities. Every stage has its own mix of freedom and constraints, and that’s totally normal.
Budget
Some hobbies need pricey tools or travel. Others are practically free. If money’s tight, that doesn’t mean hobbies are off the table. It just means finding ones that fit your resources right now.
Time
Are your days packed to the brim? Quick, easy-to-start hobbies might be a better fit. But if you’ve got long weekends or quieter evenings, you might want to dive deep into something more involved.
Home & Space
Living in an apartment might make woodworking tricky, but maybe watercolor painting or digital sketching could thrive there. If you’ve got a yard or access to land, maybe outdoor or hands-on hobbies are a better fit.
Your Energy
After a long day, do you want to move your body or rest it? Both are valid. Some people recharge with physical hobbies, while others need something slower paced and quieter.
Access to Tools
Certain hobbies need special supplies, ingredients, or places to go. If it’s hard to get what you need, that could be shaping your constraints more than you realize.
Health & Wellness Goals
Maybe you’re looking for something to support your physical health or maybe you need a hobby that soothes your mind. Either way, your wellness goals can guide what feels most rewarding right now.
Your Household
Do you want a hobby you can share with your kids or partner or something that’s just yours? Your family rhythm matters.
🧩 What Did You Notice?
- Which felt the most relevant or revealing to you?
- Was there one area that made you say, “Yes! That’s what’s been in the way”?
- Or maybe, “That’s what I’ve been missing—and I want to get back to it”?
There obviously must be a balance. (As in all things.) My tendency is to pour out to the point that I have nothing left for myself.
Having hobbies keep me vibrant and alive on the inside.
They feed my soul.
Getting stuck stops us from growth and that is when we get unhealthy. Then patterns of the past take over.
I want my kids to be raised by a mom who is “not done”. I want my kids to see adults in their home who push themselves and do hard things.
So, in spite of these constraints (or maybe even because of them), I hope that you will keep pushing forward and make space for hobbies.
Tip: You don’t have to overhaul your life to welcome in a hobby. Sometimes just noticing what’s shaping your time and energy is the first step back into joy.
As you think about your own life right now, consider this: When do you feel most tired or stretched thin? What kind of hobby sounds realistic for this season, something calm and low-energy, or something more active and hands-on?
You don’t have to choose the “perfect” hobby or wait for the “just right moment”.
Just start with what fits your energy, your time, and your reality today. Even a few minutes of something enjoyable can help you reconnect with yourself in powerful ways.
Next Tuesday I will be sharing the super simple practical steps that will give you a custom list of over 25 hobbies you can try this next week!
Make sure you are subscribed so it arrives in your inbox!
This summer, let’s give ourselves permission to begin small and stay curious. Your hobby doesn’t have to be impressive to matter. It just has to feel like you.
I am rooting for you!

How I Became an Angry Mom & the Antidote I Found
If you want more on rebuilding your life after burnout with simple, practical steps check out my book: Subtle Resistance
