Rediscovering Myself, One Hobby at a Time

By Sara Mensink

One of my goals this year was to find some new hobbies while rediscovering a few old ones.

Now that my son is sleeping through the night (mostly), I have a little more “me” time and a whole lot more energy! Over these last few months I’ve thought to myself, what do I actually want to do with my free time?

One thing I knew for sure was that I wanted something to keep me active. So this spring one of my friends and I joined a pickleball league. We fit in the beginners league perfectly. Don’t underestimate pickleball. You can get a great workout in! We improved so much over the course of the league and had so much fun playing together.

Getting back on the pickleball court reminded me just how much I enjoy being active and playing on a team. It also brought me back to another sport I spent several years playing growing up: volleyball. In July, I started subbing in a sand volleyball league, and it didn’t take long for me to realize how much I had missed it. I’m now a permanent member of the team and plan to keep playing with them in a fall and winter league, too!

While volleyball brought me back to an old passion, my next hobby gave me the chance to explore something I had always been curious about: nature photography. I have talked about purchasing a nice camera for years and finally made the decision to just go for it. I bought a used one online and have been having so much fun with it! I’m still messing with all of the settings and figuring out how things work but I can’t wait to capture upcoming trips and hikes!

As much as I’ve enjoyed learning how to capture moments through a camera, I’ve also found myself wanting to capture them in another way: through writing. Earlier this summer I was going through our basement, and I stumbled across a folder from my high school English class. I read a few stories and poems, and it made me realize how much I used to enjoy writing. It was something I never realized I missed. In college, there wasn’t much opportunity for free writing. It was very informational, having to cite all your sources, and all time-consuming. I had not thought to write for fun in a while, so I am so glad I ran across that folder. It was right around that same time I came across this columnist spot opening. I mean, what are the chances this happens at the exact same time I rediscovered my writing projects? It just felt meant to be!

Reading for enjoyment is also something I took a pause from in college. I’d read so many textbooks that reading for fun didn’t feel very fun anymore. I did eventually get back into reading, but lately I’ve been obsessed with audiobooks. I often listen to them while driving, folding laundry and washing dishes. It’s a great way to pass the time and dive into new stories. It also makes chores way more fun!

While reading and audiobooks give me a chance to escape into someone else’s story, another hobby gives me the opportunity to get creative and make something of my own. Finding new recipes for homemade products is by far one of my most passionate hobbies. So far I have made lotion, face wash, laundry soda and dishwasher pods, to name a few. Some of my recipes were a success right off the bat, and others I am still trying to perfect. It’s amazing how many of these recipes use just a handful of ingredients, and most of them overlap. Plus they’re so much better for your overall health. Check out my homemade face wash recipe!

Hobbies are such a meaningful part of life. They help shape who we are and make each of us uniquely ourselves. Lately, I’ve been rediscovering myself, one hobby at a time. What about you?

Meet the author – Sara Mensink. She believes that small changes can make a big difference.

Through gardening, mindful consumption, homemade solutions, and everyday habits that benefit both people and the planet, she is embracing a more sustainable way of life. Sara shares her family’s journey towards a more intentional lifestyle, offering practical tips and simple strategies to help readers make meaningful changes in their own lives.

 

Homemade Facewash

¼ cup raw honey (Hydrates the skin and fights bacteria naturally.)

¼ cup liquid castile soap (Provides a safe, plant-based cleanser lather.)

¼ cup distilled water (Thins the mix for easy application.)

1 Tbsp. jojoba oil (Restores natural oils so the skin doesn’t dry out.)

Pour all ingredients into a soap dispenser or glass bottle (I use a mason jar). Shake gently to mix before each use.