Working Without Play?

Posted on by amreade

Do you have a hobby?

Something you love to do in your spare time? Something you have a passion for? Something you love to share with other people?

I have lots of hobbies. I know I’ve mentioned here on the blog that I’ve recently taken up quilling, which is the art of paper filigree. I’m still an amateur, but I love to do it and I find it relaxing and a great way to let my mind wander. I also like to do counted cross-stitch, a hobby I’ve had since I was young. And you all know I love to read and cook. I also love to make gift tags.

There are other things I love to do, too, but these are some of my favorite ways to spend free time.

What do you love to do?

I’d love to spotlight some of my readers’ hobbies. Do you paint? Draw? Write poetry? Swim? Do Pilates? Play the ukelele? Do you do some other cool thing that I haven’t even thought of?

This year I’d love to start a series of blog posts about hobbies. We all learned in 2020 that having a hobby not only helped pass the time when we might have been out doing other things, but it could also mean the difference between happiness and depression.

It doesn’t have to be something that costs a cent. It doesn’t have to be something that requires a membership or a bunch of fancy equipment. All that a hobby requires is that it’s something you can do in your spare time that makes you happy.

Once a month, I’d like to write about a reader’s favorite hobby. If you’d like me to interview you, that would be great. If you don’t want me to mention your name but still want to introduce people to your favorite hobby, also great.

My hope is to introduce readers to things they might never have tried.

Will you join me? I’d love to hear from you! Please let me know in the comments below or email me at amymreadeauthor[at]gmail[dot]com and tell me about your favorite things to do!

I’ll leave you with some photos of quilling projects I’ve done since August, when I started the craft.

Until next time,

Amy

Published by amreade

46 thoughts on “Working Without Play?”

  1. I am new to your blog, but just thought I would join in with what my hobbies are even though this is an older blog. I love to do photography. My site is http://www.erinkellyphotos.com I also post my work on my blog, and Facebook and Instagram but I am new to blogging so not many followers. I also love painting and drawing with all mediums. I am currently passing on that outlet to my little girl (5yrs) who will tell you she IS an artist! Truthfully, I love some of her works better then mine! I am also trying to write and illustrate my first Children’s Picture Book. I know it’s a ton of hobbies, but I love them all. Hoping to transition out of my 10+ hr/week job to pursue 1 or all of these hobbies soon. Fingers crossed, I will be blessed enough to do that so I can spend more time home raising my little one. Anyway, great stuff you have going on with your blog. Just wanted to stop in and share.

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    1. Hi, Erin,

      Thanks for the follow! I had a look at your gallery and the photos are wonderful! I would say photography is definitely more than a hobby for you—it’s a profession! I have never been able to paint or draw, so I am in awe of people who can do that. I do love to take photos, but I just point my phone at things and click—no finesse, no skill. It’s so nice that you’re passing your passions along to your daughter.

      Good luck with your picture book! It sounds like you could do both the writing and the illustrations yourself. What a great accomplishment. Thanks again for sharing your passions with us!

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  3. I have two favorite hobbies: train in mixed martial arts/Kali Escrima and running (I’ve run 5 marathons). Unfortunately, the pandemic has kept me from training with my martial arts school. But I’m doing what I can at home. Fortunately, I can just lace up my running shoes, head outdoors, and enjoy a nice jog.

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    1. I’m so impressed! My son took karate when he was younger, but opted not to continue with it. My husband used to run marathons, so I know how intense the training can be and how much you probably miss it. But I’m glad you can get outside and run—that must be a great stress reliever. As for getting back to the martial arts school, hopefully later this year! Fingers crossed for you. Thanks for dropping in!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I love your projects. I have heard of it and seen many examples, but have never tried. I have many hobbies. Among my favorites are Swedish (sometimes called Huck) Weaving, Crocheting, and my latest Diamond Painting. And of course, reading. I try to read for 1/2 hour before I go to work and another 1/2 hour at bedtime. Reading has always been my escape and crafting is my sanity.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Barbara. I have never heard of Swedish weaving or diamond painting, but they both sound intriguing. And I would love to learn to crochet. If you’d like to be interviewed (anonymously or not) to explain your hobbies to other readers, that would be great!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. These are wonderful, you are so talented. I don’t have a hobby, writing takes up most of my time but when I am out walking I take a camera and as well as using visual images for my writing ideas, I just love taking photos of nature, old houses, churches, and so on. Oh and I read lots of course. Keep safe and well. xx

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    1. That’s wonderful, Jane. I love to do that, too, but I’m afraid I’m not much of a photographer. If you’d like to share some of your photos, I’d love to post them here sometime. Thanks for stopping by—you stay healthy, too. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I think it is the camera and not me! I point and click. I shall indeed, share some when I get chance. Thanks for the offer. Likewise. I am full on since the start of the year, are you busy too? 🙂

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      2. It’s funny you mention being busy, because I’m all out this year with some rearranging of my priorities and huge housekeeping projects on my books and my website. I hope all the hard work leads to a better marketing strategy and more book sales. Cheers to a new year!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. We can only hope. You would think people would want to read more in lockdown, but I am not sure that s the case. I keep finding it is Saturday, then Monday then Saturday again and I have done sweet FA – my plans keep getting hijacked. Good luck with yours. Yeah a New Year…we hope xx

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      4. I have read more during the pandemic, but I know that’s not been the case with everyone. Sometimes the siren call of Netflix, etc., is overwhelming. So far I’ve pretty much stayed away from television—but it is hard to compete with the streaming services. Good luck to you. xo

        Liked by 1 person

      5. I am finding reading difficult, slower than usual. There have been some really good based on true events TV dramas in UK which I have enjoyed – crime dramas. I am also finding writing difficult. Motivation lacking at times. How about you?

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      6. I read faster toward the end of 2020 because I wanted to complete my Goodreads challenge 🙂 I have considered getting a subscription to Acorn TV, which has so many great British shows. I buy a subscription for my parents every year and they love it. Those British crime shows are so good. Now you have me thinking seriously about signing up for Acorn…

        Liked by 1 person

      10. I’ve heard so much about Victorian Farm. I think I would enjoy it. My concern is that I would find some great shows to watch, then never find the time to watch them.

        Liked by 1 person

      11. A problem we all share, hence I only watch what I know I will enjoy. There is a great deal of rubbish on, schedule-filling I guess. Also, now new programmes are not being made the re-runs are driving me nuts…I avoid them.

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      12. One of my favorites is the Great British Baking Show (I believe it’s called the Great British Bake-Off in England), and that’s on Netflix. I could binge-watch that for days. And Schitt’s Creek, which is hilarious. You’re right about the amount of rubbish on television. It’s really amazing to think that some of these shows make it onto the screen.

        Liked by 1 person

      13. I have never watched the two shows you mention, not heard or Schitt’s Creek. I think they need to fill air time and especially now that we are in lockdown, it is not possible to film so they are showing old shows to fill in.

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      14. I have a friend who has found one show where the actors are wearing masks, so they’re able to show new episodes. It happens to be a medical drama, so that works pretty well. But other than that, you’re right—it’s all reruns, all the time.

        Liked by 1 person

      15. I doubt anyone will want to make a programme about 2020 unless it is horror or a disaster topic. Actors love showing their faces and you need to see them so you can read expressions. Going to be a hard year to write aboout too.

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      16. I’ve talked to several writers who are just going to leave 2020 out of their fiction completely. People have lived through it, so I’m not sure they want to read about it. For me, reading is an escape. I’m trying to escape COVID!

        Liked by 1 person

      17. If you write with it included I think it limits what you can write. Isolation, bubbles, shielding and limits on activity – not much you can write about unless two are in a bubble and one bumps the other off. Now, let me think – who did it? LOL nope I shall be leaving it be too.

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  7. Great idea, Amy. When I taught, I often had Hobby Day near the end of the year. Each child who brought something to share (most did) got 5-10 minutes of class time to talk about and show examples of their hobbies. It was my sneaky way of trying to get them to speak in a nonthreatening way in front of their peers. Some of the collectibles were amazing. Others were downright funny. One of my students used to collect the pencil shavings from the pencil sharpener. 🤣🤣🤣

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s a great idea, and a wonderful outlet for those of us who collect our pencil shavings! If you’d like to share one of your hobbies, I’d love to have you on the blog. Take care!

      Liked by 2 people

  9. Hi Amy, I only have one hobby. Reading. If I’m not at work or asleep, I have my nose in a book. That’s why I read 285 books last year.

    Thomas

    Liked by 2 people

    1. That’s amazing. And inspiring! Let me know if you’d like to be interviewed about books: your favorites, your preferred genres, and your reading schedule. I think people would be interested in knowing that.

      Liked by 1 person

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