“I wish I had the time for hobbies”.

A phrase I often hear people say, but the truth for me, is taking time for hobbies isn’t just a luxury, it’s a key way I protect and nurture my mental health! I can’t understand how people don’t have the time for hobbies!

Engaging in an activity you enjoy (no matter what it is!) can reduce stress, improve your mood and give you a sense of purpose and connection with yourself and those around you, while also creating space for mindfulness and helping you feel more present in the moment.

How I found my “calm”.

Like so many other people, when Covid hit, I really struggled with my mental health and so to try and take control of that, I decided to try out some new activities I had never tried before!

Firstly, I decided to give knitting a try. Something I couldn’t ‘get’ as a child, even though I’d tried and tried… but this time something stuck! I’m now obsessed and I love having a hobby that has a tangible item at the end of it.

Alongside that, I found a huge knitting community online that also gave me connection and friendships that I needed during such a difficult time. I’ve made friends all over the world and we often hop on a ‘knitty zoom’ to discuss all our latest cast ons!

Knitting is now part of my everyday routine, and I really notice the difference in my mood if I haven’t picked up the needles. And it turns out it’s not just me… A 2024 study from the University of Gothenburg found that knitting can help people unwind, create structure and improve both short and long-term mental health!

Returning to baking.

Baking has always been something I enjoyed and was a firm favourite hobby as a child; I have very fond memories baking Welsh cakes with my Noo Noo (an unusual name for Grandma). So, in 2020, when I suddenly had more time on my hands, I thought, why not return to something I already loved.

This time, though, I took it a step further and, like so many others, decided to try my hand at sourdough. There is something incredibly calming and mindful about creating delicious, handmade food from just a handful of fresh ingredients. I found myself enjoying it so much that it quickly became a habit and is now part of my everyday routine, something I genuinely look forward to and rely on to help me switch off.

I love to share my bakes with others and often deliver random baked goods to my neighbour, plus the PeopleUnboxed team too! Goodies are often requested so I take them along to in-person team days to sustain the team.

Finding connection again.

More recently I have acquired an allotment plot and joined a book club! Both of which have been bringing me so much joy.

Spending more of my time outdoors in my allotment has been so beneficial for my mental wellbeing; a great way to combine fresh air, exercise and mindfulness.

Maintaining the allotment, has been, and will continue to be, a learning curve, but there is nothing more calming than listening to the birds, with your hands deep in soil, planting seeds and hoping to become more sustainable and to provide organic food for my family. The routine of nurturing and caring for plants offers me structure, which is both comforting and grounding. I am growing ALL the things – let’s hope some of them make it to my kitchen!

Back in January, I found myself longing connection. There seemed to be a sudden shift in my friendship group, with many moving away for various exciting new chapters, and so I found myself wanting to find some more like-minded friends. As a child, my head was always in a book, it offered the escapism from the pressures I felt at school, and it helped to quiet anxious thoughts and provided a sense of calm. So, when I saw a local book club advertised online, I decided to give it a go.

I turned up feeling like the new girl at school, nervous, unsure, wondering if I’d made the right choice, but the welcome I received completely changed that. Not only have I now found a love of books again, but the book club is enabling me to branch out and diversify my reading into new genres, along with creating the opportunities for meaningful conversations and the connection that I was seeking!

Top tips for starting something new.

• Start small and keep it simple: you don’t need to dive in perfectly or invest loads of time straight away. Even 10 minutes is enough to get started.
• Choose something you’re genuinely curious about: it doesn’t have to be productive or impressive, just something that sparks your interest or feels enjoyable.
• Give yourself permission to be a beginner: you don’t have to be good at it. Part of the joy is learning, making mistakes and improving over time.
• Build it into your routine: try to attach your new hobby to something you already do, whether that’s a quiet moment in the evening or part of your weekend.
• Find your people: whether it’s a local group, online community or a friend who wants to join you, shared hobbies can create powerful connections.
• Focus on how it makes you feel: instead of thinking about outcomes, notice the shift in your mood, energy or mindset after you’ve spent time on it.

Why small moments matter.

At their core, hobbies give us permission to pause. They help break cycles of stress, spark creativity, and create space for genuine joy. They don’t need to be perfect or productive to be valuable – the only measure that matters is how they make you feel. Because making time for what you love isn’t a luxury; it’s essential. So, what’s one small thing you could try this week?

If you have any tips for allotment growing, then I’d love to chat! LinkedIn and email