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
For about 20 years, I worked part-time as a puppeteer and later continued puppet-making as a hobby.
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That is amazing!! Would you like to be interviewed about your experience?
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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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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!
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Yes, fingers crossed. The pandemic has hit martial arts schools pretty hard. I know my Sensei has had a very difficult time staying afloat.
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I am sure martial arts schools are suffering, since their businesses require close contact. I hope yours stays afloat and thrives in the new year.
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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.
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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!
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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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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. 🙂
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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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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!
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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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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
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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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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…
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I Have not come across Acorn but sounds a great idea. Old shows or new ones?
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I know there are shows from before 2010 (like Victorian Farm), but other than that I’m not really sure. I think they skew toward the new stuff.
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I see, I liked the Victorian Farm, I love archaeology in all forms and they got stuck in to the lifestyle really well.
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I think Acorn became available in England in 2020 (if I’m correct that you live there).
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I have never seen it but it possibly is, I must look. I watch little TV other than things which perk my interest.
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i love them Amy..The snauils and the tortoise are so cute…very nice..clever lady 🙂 x
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Thank you, Carol! I love these little projects.
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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. 🤣🤣🤣
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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!
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seems like your hobbies are also a form of meditation; probably great for your blood pressure…
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It’s funny you say that, because I almost wrote in the post that it’s a form of meditation. And I have no doubt that my blood pressure thanks me.
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it’s sort of like multitasking… 🙂
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🙂
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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
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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.
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