Mark Twain

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do ...
Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

H - Hobbies

#AtoZChallenge 2019 Tenth Anniversary blogging from A to Z challenge letter

H is for Hobbies

 The most beautiful word in all of the English Language.

Knitting

So much of our lives are spent in doing stuff to make a living - a roof over our head, food on the table, heat, water, food, cell phones, TV, education for a child.  This list is exhaustive if carried to completion.  We are often tied to jobs/professions by our need to provide the basics and a few of the nice-to-haves.  A responsibility of sorts, an expectation of society that we are self-supportive ... not relying on the charity of others.

All of that eats up decades of our lives.


Weaving


How wonderful to FINALLY be in a position to do something for ourselves that feeds our souls, that doesn't have to be squeezed in between doing laundry or driving to work.

Maybe it is something that provides no practical outcome other than
  • to make us or others smile like painting a picture or setting up miniature train layouts,
  • to relax us with the repetition of the movement of our hands like knitting and crocheting, 
  • to distract us by watching sporting events or reading a book, 
  • to inspire us with music and theater and travel, 
  • to give us joy and satisfaction through volunteering and mentoring.  
Crochet

How wonderful is the world with such non-essential activities in it!
How amazing it is to reach the time of life when you have the opportunity
to do those things full time!!!

I feel sadness for folks who express a serious concern about filling their time as retired individuals.  They typically are people who are defined by their professions.  They have allowed their lives to be jailed within the box of 'work' only.  Once retired by stepping out of that box, they are at a true loss at what to do with their own precious hours - hours now that have a more visible expiration date somewhere in the future.

A lace shawl I knitted for my daughter.

Is it possible that in their professional lives they never once day-dreamed about doing fun stuff - stuff that has no real useful purpose other than to give us joy?

I believe Habit (another H word) plays a big role in how we conduct our selves in later years.  Habit is a non-thinking, non-decision making behavior.  If you are in individual who habitually thought 'outside the box of work' and squeezed Hobbies into your precious non-work hours - you can slip into retirement more easily.  If you segmented your life into work-and-more work ... for years ... retirement will be an effort, an actual stressor, and a time of confusion or total inactivity.


A knitted shawl for myself.

Make room in your life for Hobbies now - whatever your age!
You are worth it!
If you have long retirement
you will be glad you made the effort.

Note: Yes, all the pictures of my work - knitting, crochet and weaving!

17 comments:

Gail M Baugniet - Author said...

Your talented hobbies are amazing. I love the powder blue lace shawl, although all the pictures are precious.
Before retirement, I took up writing and that has become a lifetime project for me. I truly feel sorry for people who develop no interests after retirement.

http://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com/
H is for: Horrors of War - Province of Prussia
(Theme: very short stories/varied genres)

Leigh said...

Love your hobby photos. They speak of a productive life. I agree that there's no reason to be bored in retirement!

Marie Smith said...

I envy your ability to do needlework. It is such a relaxing and productive hobby. Problems with my neck make it impossible for me to do any such projects. I loved cross stitch but my eyesight became an issue. I enjoy blogging now, genealogy and volunteer work. Time with grandkids and photography take up so much time too. Life is good in retirement.

Leftycrafter said...

I so agree with you! Hobbies make retirement an enjoyment. There is never a reason to be bored when you have a hobby or two. Your photos of your work are phenomenal. Love both of those shawls. Do you remember which patterns you used. I am in a huge shawl making mode right now.

Michelle said...

Yes, beautiful photos of some of your stunning creations! I don't think I've ever been defined by my work. As a child and teenager I read voraciously, and since my teens I've almost always had a horse drew me out to have "fun times." I do love hobbies, like the fiber arts, that produce something beautiful and useful, too!

Lael said...

I really want to start weaving but I have no clue where to even begin.
I may make a loom one of these days..
You're so right, we need these hobbies of ours.
My father law had nothing but the TV and I think he really suffered in his later years.

Lynn Proctor said...

Beautiful work- I used to enjoy latchhook

Wendy said...

Lovely garments you've made.

Cat said...

Yep! I knit, crochet, and I want to learn to weave, and just learning how to use a scroll saw. My father built a Model A Ford from the wheels up, for something he wanted to do when he retired. (He's now contemplating a second build.) My Mom sews and reads. So Hobby is important. Also, it tends to keep my personal sanity, on occasion. Except when I have a mistake six rows back... Ahem.

Cat

John Holton said...

Beautiful work!

Susan said...

I don't think there is anything more satisfying than being able to create something lovely and useful with your hands. And what lovely things you've created! I look forward to spending an even greater portion of my day knitting.

Retired Knitter said...

Thanks all. I switched back over to Pop Up so individual responses aren't possible. One of my long time regular readers still has a problem.

Thank you for your kind comments on my knitting. Been at it for more than 20 years and started as a reaction to leaving a stressful job. Knitting always relaxes me.

Lynn -I used to do latch hook rugs too. They were really popular at one time.

Unknown said...

Work is what someone else pays us to do.....hobbies, pastimes, whatever you call them is usually us paying someone else, but worth every penny!!

Leftycrafter said...

My comment yesterday did not show up. Hmmmm. I do agree about hobbies. They have made my retirement more of a permanent vacation. I was wondering what pattern you used for your daughter's lace shawl and also for your knitted shawl you have pictured.

Little Wandering Wren said...

Hello Greetings from the A to Z. I see you are going strong! I count my blogging as a Hobby, it is a perfect one, there whenever I have a little time. It allows me to be creative, make new friends, and learn new skills. Talking of which your work is lovely. Have a great day.
Wren x

Marie Smith said...

I envy your ability to do needlework!

netablogs said...

Wow, your knitting is beautiful! I agree, it's really important to have hobbies or other social interests to keep us feeling part of something and able to share our talents. I've enjoyed knitting, too, but I usually knit socks and baby things!