How to Make Time For Hobbies

If you’ve ever said, “I wish I had more time for my hobbies,” you’re definitely not alone. Between work, family, and everything else on your to-do list, it can feel like there’s never a free moment to actually enjoy the things you love. But here’s the truth: most of us have little pockets of time that can be reclaimed with a few small changes.

I’ve been there too. There were seasons of my life when I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d done something just for fun. My hobbies slowly slipped to the back burner because I convinced myself that there just wasn’t enough time. I told myself I’d get back to them once I was “caught up,” but of course, that day never came.

It wasn’t until I realized how different I felt after spending even fifteen minutes doing something I loved that I started making small changes. Suddenly, I wasn’t just “fitting in a hobby,” I was giving myself a way to breathe again.

Hobbies don’t just fill your time; they give you energy, creativity, and balance. Whether you love reading, crafting, baking, or learning something new, they help you reconnect with yourself. Today, I want to share not just quick tips, but real ways I’ve learned to make more time for hobbies, especially when life feels packed.

So, let’s talk about how to actually do that.

Incorporate It Into Your Routine

When I first started trying to read more, I told myself I’d just “read when I have time.” Spoiler: I never had time. My evenings filled up, my weekends disappeared, and my books just sat on my nightstand collecting dust.

It wasn’t until I started building reading into my routine that it stuck. I began by setting aside twenty minutes in the morning before work to read with my coffee. Eventually, it became such a habit that I didn’t have to think about it; it was just part of my day.

You can do this with any hobby. If you want to move your body more, block off 30 to 45 minutes in the morning for a walk or an at-home workout. If mornings aren’t your thing, build it into your evening ritual. Maybe you pick up your crochet project after dinner, or you set aside time to paint before bed.

Don’t overthink it. You don’t need a two-hour stretch of time. Even ten minutes of something creative can shift your mood and remind you that your time is yours too.

Stop Scrolling

Not to sound like your parents, but it really is that dang phone. One night I checked my screen time and just stared at the number: Six hours. Six hours spent scrolling through social media, watching videos I wouldn’t even remember the next day.

The next week, I challenged myself to swap my screen time for hobby time. If I had six hours a day to scroll, then I could use some of that time to do something that actually made me feel good.

That week, I spent an hour reading each night instead of scrolling, and I can’t even explain the difference it made. I felt calmer and more grounded. I went to bed proud of myself instead of overstimulated.

So here’s your challenge: take your screen time from last week and use that number as a goal. If it says three hours a day, try to replace even half of that with hobby time this week. You’ll be surprised at how much time you actually have hiding in plain sight.

Use Waiting Time

There’s so much waiting in adult life: lines, appointments, traffic, pickups, calls. I used to scroll through my phone every time I was waiting, but now I use that time differently.

I started carrying my Kindle everywhere. When I’m waiting for my coffee or sitting in a doctor’s office, I’ll read a few pages. It’s become one of my favorite small habits. Those little chunks of time add up quickly.

If reading isn’t your thing, bring something else. A small journal, a coloring book, a sudoku puzzle, or even friendship bracelet string. Honestly, whatever fits into your bag works! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made progress on a hobby just because I was prepared for those in between moments.

Make It Social

One of the best ways to make more time for your hobbies is to bring other people into them. I started hosting craft nights with my friends, and it completely changed how I looked at my hobbies.

We’d all bring something we were working on such as crochet projects, scrapbooks, or seasonal crafts. We’ll spend the evening chatting, laughing, and creating. It wasn’t about being productive. It was about connecting.

If you want to take it a step further, give your craft night a theme. With Thanksgiving coming up, you could make pumpkin or turkey themed décor. (There’s a Thanksgiving craft post coming soon, so stay tuned for that one!)

When you make hobbies social, they become something to look forward to, not another thing on your to-do list.

Prep in Advance

This one might sound simple, but it’s powerful. If something is out of sight, it’s usually out of mind.

So start prepping your hobbies in advance. Lay out your book on the coffee table. Keep your sketchbook and pens where you can see them. Leave your yarn and crochet hook on the couch.

If running is your hobby, set your sneakers and outfit by the door the night before. That small visual cue can make all the difference when you wake up.

It may feel silly, but it works. Every time you see your supplies sitting there, it gives you a little nudge to do the thing you’ve been wanting to do.

Hobby + Habit Stack

This one might be my favorite trick because it feels effortless. I have a hard time just sitting and watching TV, so I started combining hobbies with habits. While I watch a show, I’ll crochet, color, or scrapbook. It makes the time feel more intentional.

You can do the same with daily routines. Listen to an audiobook while you clean, cook, or get ready in the morning. Knit while you listen to your favorite podcast.

Pairing hobbies with habits makes them easier to maintain because you’re not carving out extra time; you’re just layering them into things you already do.

Make It Part of Your Self-Care Routine

Somewhere along the way, self-care became synonymous with bubble baths and face masks, but it’s so much more than that. Hobbies are a form of self-care.

When you spend time doing something creative or fulfilling, you give your mind a break. You recharge. You reconnect with yourself.

For me, crafting has always been a way to unwind. It’s where I can zone out, listen to music, and feel like I accomplished something just for me. So whatever your version of self-care looks like, make sure hobbies have a spot in it. You deserve that time.

Focus on One or Two Hobbies at a Time

When you first start exploring hobbies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the things you want to try. I’ve been there, wanting to crochet, paint, journal, and bake all at once. The excitement is real, but trying to do everything at the same time can burn you out.

Start with one or two hobbies. Give yourself space to learn and enjoy the process without feeling like you’re behind. Once those hobbies feel like part of your rhythm, then you can add more if you want to.

If you’re not sure what hobby to start with, sign up for my weekly newsletter to get your free Hobby Hunt Guide. It’ll help you discover what hobbies might be the best fit for your personality and lifestyle.

Stop Being a Perfectionist

This one took me the longest to learn. I used to avoid starting new projects because I was afraid they wouldn’t turn out perfect. I’d see people online making beautiful things and think, “Why even bother if mine won’t look like that?”

But here’s the thing: nobody starts perfect. Every artist, crafter, reader, or runner you admire started somewhere. The first project might be messy, uneven, or full of mistakes, and that’s okay!

My first crochet project was an absolute disaster. The stitches were uneven, the yarn was tangled, and halfway through I realized I’d somehow made it into a triangle instead of a rectangle. But it made me laugh, and it made me want to try again.

That’s what hobbies are about. They’re supposed to be fun. They’re supposed to be imperfect. So let go of the idea of perfect and just start. You’ll get better every time you try.

Start Small

You don’t need to jump into the biggest version of your hobby right away. If you’re learning to crochet, start with a small blanket or a coaster instead of a giant plushie. If you want to start running, your first run doesn’t have to be a marathon; start with a mile or two.

The goal isn’t to master the hobby overnight. It’s to begin. Small steps build momentum, and that’s where the magic happens. Before you know it, those little projects start turning into something you’re proud of.

Blend Hobbies with Your Goals

When you’re setting goals for the week or month, try adding a hobby goal to the list. Maybe it’s finishing a book, learning how to sew, or baking one new recipe. Writing it down helps you treat it like something that matters, because it does.

Your hobbies are part of your growth. They teach you patience, focus, and joy. They remind you that life isn’t just about being productive; it’s about creating, learning, and living.

The Bigger Picture

You don’t need a free afternoon or a long weekend to enjoy your hobbies. Sometimes all it takes is being intentional with your time and making space for the things that make you feel more like yourself.

Start with one small change this week. Wake up a little earlier to read. Spend fifteen minutes crafting before bed. Listen to an audiobook during your commute.

Over time, those small pockets of joy add up. They become your routine. And suddenly, you realize you’ve built a life that has room for what you love, not because you had more time, but because you made it.

If you need some inspiration to get started on your hobby journey, subscribe to my newsletter below and I will send you a Hobby Hunt to help you discover the perfect hobby for you.

Sending you all my love, until the next one.

xoxo,

Kayla Mae🫶🏻