New Year, New Me, New Hobby – 12 Hobbies in 12 Months

Written By Margaret Ye

Ep 8: Rediscovering yourself in the chaos: how trying new hobbies can reignite identity, purpose & joy after motherhood

Motherhood can shift your identity in ways nobody prepares you for. The routines, the milestones, the chaos — often we lose ourselves somewhere in that cycle. And before we realise it, everything we do revolves around others.

I’m kicking off the first episode of 2026 by recommitting to a personal challenge I began in 2025: 12 hobbies in 12 months.

What started as a fun experiment quickly became a powerful self-rediscovery tool. Even though I didn’t finish all 12 last year — between pregnancy morning sickness, a trip to the ED, and launching this podcast — what I uncovered was so much more valuable than a checklist.

This conversation is about making space for joy, even in the mess of motherhood.
Not because we have time, but because we deserve it.

What We Cover in This Episode:

  • Why hobbies matter after motherhood and how carving out one hour a month to do something just for you can completely transform your energy, identity and joy.

  • The truth about starting something and not finishing, how trying something—even briefly—is far more valuable than waiting for the “perfect time.”

  • Real hobbies I explored in 2025 including learning French, attempting a veggie garden (until it literally blew away), rediscovering cooking as enjoyment rather than obligation, and how this podcast became an unexpected creative outlet.

  • How pregnancy, illness and life disruptions shaped the experience and why you don’t need to wait for ideal circumstances to start.

  • Reframing hobbies as self-worth. This is about doing something simply because you want to—not because it serves your family, productivity, or career.

💌 Resources & Mentions:

💬 Listener Takeaway:
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about remembering that you’re allowed to have things in your life that are solely for you.

Even if your hobby changes with each season. Even if you only have 10 minutes. Even if you start and never finish.

Your identity is allowed to expand beyond motherhood.

🎧 Listen to the Episode Now:
Hit play on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
And don’t forget to follow the show so you don’t miss upcoming episodes where we unpack identity, motherhood, and finding YOU again.

Join me as I embark on 12 hobbies in 12 months.
This challenge wasn’t about ticking a list — it was about rediscovering what lights me up outside of motherhood.

Margaret Ye
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Evolving Through Motherhood: Pivoting & Upskilling with Tru