Monday, June 09, 2008

Things I learned about myself this weekend

Skeeter took the children to a fishing rodeo this weekend. Originally it was just going to be an activity for Skeeter and Spyder, but Sass decided she'd like to go as well. And off they went.

That left me at home -- alone -- for more than two hours. I had no idea what to do. Seriously. I love being alone. I always have. But I haven't had the opportunity to be at home completely alone for more than a couple of hours in, oh, 10 years.

Skeeter (with children) and I (without) parted company at church, after the vacation bible school program and carnival. When I got home, I truly had no idea what to do. No little hands pulling at me. No one asking for something. I sat on the couch in the silence for a while, enjoying the emptiness.

Over the next 18 hours, I did all of the normal things that I do on Friday night and Saturday morning. I folded laundry; I did the dishes; I took a load of things to the thrift store. It wasn't until Skeeter and the children were on the way home that I realized something important.

I have abandoned my hobbies. I used to make soap and do scrapbooking. I was never emotionally attached to the activities, but I did enjoy them. I haven't touched my supplies for either hobby in at least two years. Once I found myself presented with an opportunity to do them, I didn't know where to begin.

I'm not sure where to go from here, but that was a real eye-opener.


Noodle4

7 comments:

smalltownme said...

I feel your pain. I used to have hobbies. Now if I am free, I just read or go on the internet. Darn you internet, sucking up my time like right now!

I hope you re-discover a hobby, or find something new and exciting.

PEZmama said...

I don't often have a large chunks of time alone AND at home. Paul let's me go have "me" time whenever I need it, but I usually have to go somewhere rather than stay at home.

My problem is that I have too many things going on. So when I get time home alone, I spend half of it deciding if I will work on my quilt, or my knitting, or it I will read.

(Disclaimer: Reading doesn't quite qualify as a hobby yet. But it's getting close.)

Vanessa said...

It sounds like this was an important weekend for you. Perhaps this can be a more regular event where you get time for you?

Tina said...

I'm with you. I'm too tired for my hobby, usually. Unless it's a night set aside JUST for it, and I mean out of the house, scrapbooking does not get done.

sigh

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean - when no one's home you just want to sit and enjoy the complete silence.

Thank goodness I've got my priorities in order.....I've completely abandoned the house work so that I can do my hobby - blogging. LOL!!!

When the hubby and kids are gone....I like to take a nap :)

Anonymous said...

Someone once quoted someone else (I think it was Covey) to me -- "Too often, we let the urgent get in the way of the important." Another good one -- and I don't remember the source at all for this one -- is "You will never 'find' time. You must make time."

It's important to have a hobby. Even if you only get to do something with it once a month (like me). Schedule it on your calendar if you have to!

PS We both know I would drag you out scrapbooking if I lived closer!

Anonymous said...

Oh! Let's make SOAP! I've never done that....
I usually take a long bath, find some mundane chore like cleaning the baseboards, or catching up on a book...while in the bath. Or finding some movie I could never get through with them running in and out. My favorite thing is to go to a restaraunt alll alone and read my book or write in my journal. The journal part has recently been taking over with writing letters to people who still....write letters.
Brenda