You don’t have to overhaul your life to welcome in personal learning.
note from April:
Today I am pulling from several posts in my archives. Before the “Personal Curriculum” trend caught on, I was writing posts about finding joy in hobbies and learning that is just for enjoyment.
So, while you are reading, feel free to replace the word “hobby” with personal curriculum, your TBR stack, or creative work.
I think you will find these helpful and practical in this fall season. 💙
To start us off, check out this podcast:
I share with you how I got started experimenting with hobbies, reading, and making space for my own learning.
Ep.#013 – The Power of Hobbies in Adulting
Okay, so having a hobby or starting a personal curriculum is a great theory…
But why and how is it a good idea for me?
Let’s get real with this idea.
When I discuss hobbies or personal learning 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.”
Does this sound familiar?
Let’s have a different kind of conversation about personal learning.
I want to give you permission to embrace curiosity, joy, and delight.
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 then we can find small shifts to bring hobbies back into reach, not as a luxury, but as a vital part of our well-being.
So, what are some constraints that we might face?
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.
Let’s look at these together. Once we see them clearly, it’s easier to move around them and create solutions (or gently push back).
Job & Schedule – your work life shapes how and when you unwind
Life Stage – every stage has its own mix of freedom and constraints
Budget – if money’s tight, that doesn’t mean hobbies are off the table
Time – are your days packed to the brim?
Home & Space – where you live affects what your downtime looks like
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 – if it’s hard to get what you need, that could be frustrating
Health & Wellness Goals – these can guide what feels most rewarding right now or keep you from what you want to do
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, a reading list, and a personal curriculum keeps 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 personal learning. 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.
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This fall season, let’s give ourselves permission to begin small and stay curious. Your hobby or personal curriculum plans don’t have to be impressive to matter. It just has to feel like you.
I am rooting for you!
If you want more on rebuilding your life after burnout with simple, practical steps check out my book: Subtle Resistance
