Not everything has to be productive. Pause. And read that again.
As I journey more into mothering my two wonderful boys, I’m reminded of what a good day is to them. The simplicity of staying in pajamas, building blanket forts, and baking together, also known as dirtying every dish and flat surface in the kitchen.
This weekend I thought about there being only 10 weeks left until Christmas. We have holiday pictures next weekend, a small gathering with friends, and a few birthdays as well just in the next two weeks! Needless to say, the to-do list was in full swing and I was preoccupied.
And then, my son pulled out a puzzle. A 1,000 piece one. One that I would only save for a long stretch off work, and certainly never considered tackling with two little ones in the house. But I said yes. I remembered I received a puzzle board for Christmas, so I could keep the pieces contained. This allows me to only work on it when I can. It may be 5 pieces at a time, or 100. It certainly won’t get done quick.
Productivity, and the final product wasn’t the goal here. It was to relax my mind and just do something for joy. We are going to go into the holidays. A season of memories and fun, but also a season of winter. Where we need to slow down and give our bodies a moment of pause.
A few of my favorite hobbies to do for 10 minutes (some days I will literally set a mental timer to remind myself to do it without feeling guilty. As an Amazon Associate, I can earn commission from qualifying purchases. I will only share products I have tried and love.
Hobbies without a Purpose: Cozy Products for Slowing Down
- Puzzle Board with Drawers – These drawers allow me to walk away from my puzzle knowing my little one can’t quickly swipe the pieces in it’s early stages.
- A Good Book – Theo of Golden was a beautiful one to read! I couldn’t put this book down, even though I always intended to start with only 10 minutes.
- Eye Mask – A little self care is the perfect pause.
- The softest holiday blanket – I love Little Sleepies Cloud blankets! They are just the right weight and texture to have a few minutes of relaxation on the couch.
- Roller Skates for Women – I am trying to teach myself to roller skate, 10 minutes at a time. An unexpected source of joy! The key here is it’s for fun, not for becoming a pro.
So, here is your reminder. A good day is made because of our intention. I’m not saying lose the to-do list entirely. My calendar is fueled from that. I’m just saying set it down sometimes, identifying those 5 – 10 minute pockets of joy and mental rest that you can build in. Those days are usually the best ones.
