10 Hobbies for Mums Who Want to Rediscover Themselves
Motherhood is beautiful, but let’s be honest, it can also be consuming. Somewhere between school runs, endless laundry, and late-night cuddles, many mums realise they’ve lost a little bit of themselves along the way. If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering “Who am I outside of being a mum?”, you’re not alone.
One of the most powerful ways to reconnect with yourself is through hobbies. They give you something that’s just yours — your time, your joy, your creativity. Whether you’re stepping into something brand new or rediscovering an old passion, hobbies can be a doorway back to your identity beyond motherhood.
If you’re ready to explore, here are 10 hobby ideas for mums who want to rediscover themselves.
1. Journaling & Creative Writing
Writing isn’t just for authors. Journaling can be a grounding daily practice, while creative writing allows you to express the stories, emotions, and dreams often tucked away during the chaos of motherhood.
Bonus: Writing is a flexible hobby you can do anywhere — nap time, school pickup lines, or even in bed before lights out.
2. Pilates, Yoga & Movement Practices
Movement isn’t only about fitness; it’s about feeling strong and connected to your body again. Whether it’s mat Pilates, yoga, or even dance classes, finding joy in movement can remind you of your strength — physically and mentally.
I’ve been doing reformer pilates for over 3 years now, and I love having scheduled “me time”. I book it in like I would a doctor’s appointment and if I can’t make it, I reschedule it so I don’t miss out that week.
3. Painting or Drawing
There’s something freeing about putting brush to canvas or pencil to paper. You don’t need to be “good at art” to enjoy it. Art as a hobby is about expression, creativity, and finding flow in the process, not the outcome.
4. Gardening
Spending time in the garden is proven to reduce stress, boost mood, and help you reconnect with nature. Plus, watching something grow under your care (beyond your kids!) is incredibly satisfying.
I accidentally stumbled across my “green thumb” when my eldest was born and I bought my first ever indoor plant, a monstera. Before this point I couldn’t even keep a cactus alive, so when my monstera thrived I got SUCH a kick out of it. I now have propagated at least 50 monstera babies from my original plant and have roughly 50 baby pothos’ being propagated as we speak.
5. Learning a Musical Instrument
Always wanted to learn guitar, piano, or even ukulele? It’s never too late. Learning music challenges your brain, builds patience, and gives you a skill that’s endlessly rewarding. And it doesn’t have to involve a physical instrument! We all carry a free instrument within our bodies; our voices. So why not give singing a go?
6. Cooking or Baking Beyond the Basics
Yes, you already cook for the family, but what if you explored food as a creative outlet? Try baking sourdough, experimenting with global cuisines, or perfecting a signature dessert. This is about cooking for you, not just survival dinners.
Cooking used to be the bane of my existence. I used to dread meal times and got really good at making quick meals that did the job. But recently, as part of my series on social media “12 Hobbies in 2025”, I started using HelloFresh and fell in love with cooking. I’ve always enjoyed cooking shows so had a pretty good idea how to cook, but having foolproof recipes walking me through (and having the mental load taken out with the ingredients being provided) made me fall in love with the process, and these days I look forward to dinner time and seeing what I can whip up.
7. Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
Fresh air and nature are a powerful reset button. Whether it’s short walk around the block, weekend bush trails, or beach hikes, getting outside helps you reclaim space for yourself and feel grounded again.
It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Grab a friend, grab a coffee and enjoy the fresh air and a yap.
8. Photography
Photography teaches you to slow down and notice details in everyday life. Start with your phone camera and play with light, angles, and subjects, or go deeper and invest in a DSLR. It’s a beautiful way to see the world differently.
A few years back I did a series on my personal Instagram called “Daily Dose of Bliss” where I took a photo every single day of the year and posted it. Some days were harder than others, and some days the photos were very mundane things, but the most magical thing was once the year was done, when I went to review the photos, I could recall every.single.day from just that one photo alone.
9. Volunteering
Sometimes rediscovering yourself is less about doing and more about giving back. Volunteering in your local community, school, or charity not only builds connection but also helps you feel a sense of purpose outside the home.
I recently joined my daughter’s school’s P&C and I’ve been loving it! It was a great way to meet the other school parents (and being new to the area, it was a great way to meet people) but it has been incredibly fulfilling too to contribute to something that directly impacts my kids.
10. Crafting & DIY Projects
From sewing and knitting to candle-making or resin art, hands-on hobbies are both therapeutic and productive. They let you create something tangible while carving out “me time” that’s creative and calming.
For those who have been following the “12 Hobbies in 2025” series would’ve seen, I recently weaved my own handbag from scratch thanks to a kit I found at Craft Club Co. It was incredibly fun to do, and now the bag itself is an amazing talking point whenever people compliment it. Nothing beats the feeling of being able to “I made this”.
Why Hobbies Matter for Mums
Hobbies aren’t just “nice to have”, they’re essential for mental health, confidence, and identity. They help you:
Reconnect with who you are outside of being “mum”
Reduce stress and boost your mood
Learn new skills that build confidence
Meet like-minded women and form new connections
Rediscovering yourself doesn’t happen overnight, but starting with something small (and enjoyable!) can be the first step.
Ready to Explore More Hobbies?
If you’re excited to start but not sure where to begin, we’ve created a Hobby Guide packed with even more ideas to inspire your journey. And if you’re looking for businesses, classes, and communities that can support your new passions, check out our Hobby Hub — your go-to directory for rediscovering yourself through hobbies.
Because you’re not just a mum. You’re a woman with passions, creativity, and dreams worth exploring 🧡