A Good Hobby Can Change Your Life

Dan Levy said, “At the very least, a good hobby can act like a faithful companion, always there when you need it. At the very best, it can change your life.”

I have endless interests, especially if they have to do with using my hands. Painting, reading, board games (we have over 50!), going to plays, watching movies, thrift shopping, going out with friends, traveling, hiking (not the 14er kind of hiking), exercising, yoga... I also love to dance. Oh, did I mention that I love to dance? To include the last but not least favorite hobby, sewing.

At an early age, I remember watching my older sister sew. It fascinated me how she could take a flat piece of fabric and turn it into something she could wear or use. I was lucky to have a sister who was willing to teach me how to sew. I don’t remember a time when she was impatient with me. I remember the feeling it gave me to create something of my own choosing. It was the excitement of endless possibilities.

In the beginning, I learned how to make pillows, bags, vests, curtains, skirts, and more. I enjoyed it so much that I took sewing classes in high school. In high school, I learned how to be patient. I realized there were strict rules to follow when it came to sewing that I didn’t know about. I thought I would walk into class ahead of everyone else. That was not the case! I quickly found out that I had to start over.

What I had learned before was good, but if I wanted to become a professional, there were rules I needed to follow and understand. I was grateful to my teacher, even though I wanted to run before I could walk.

Years after learning how to sew, I was able to sew my children’s clothes and a variety of other projects. I have always enjoyed sewing as a hobby because I have come to realize that it fills my need to create something that didn’t exist before.

I am a person who has many projects going at once. Because of this, sometimes things take a while to get finished.

For example, I have some quilts that I thrifted that I want to turn into jackets and bags. At the same time, I would love to learn how to embroider, and I was gifted the supplies to learn. On top of that, if someone said, “Hey, do you want to go to a stained-glass class with me?” I would say, “Yes, indeed!”

I am trying to figure out how to balance my time with being an author now. Michael Altshuler said, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” I think this is a powerful quote. When you visually put yourself in the pilot’s seat of your life, it helps you see the responsibility you have over it.

I have been enjoying being the pilot of my life. I am enjoying the view from here, especially the view of getting to be an author.

I cannot tell you how many people have uplifted me throughout this journey. I have heard that writing the book is the easy part. After you publish your book is when the hard work begins.

Well, I am pushing up my sleeves and ready to dig in!