Why Finding Hobbies Made Me a Better Parent and Business Owner

When you're building a business and raising kids, it can feel like every spare minute should be spent being productive.

Boy does that mom guilt love to creep in from time to time!

There's always another email to send, another piece of content to create, or another project to finish.

For a long time, I convinced myself that if I just worked a little harder, got a little more organized, or squeezed a little more into the day, I'd finally get ahead.

But what I've learned is that constantly pouring from your cup without refilling it doesn't make you more productive, it just makes you exhausted.

And that's why finding hobbies again has been one of the best things I've done for both my business and my family.

The Pressure to Monetize Everything

One thing I've noticed as an entrepreneur is that there's a lot of pressure to turn every interest into a side hustle.

Love baking? Start a bakery.

Love crocheting? Open an Etsy shop.

Love gardening? Sell seedlings.

Love horses? Become a trainer.

But sometimes, it's okay to do something simply because it brings you joy.

Not every hobby needs a business plan.

Not every passion needs to become income.

Sometimes the value is in what it gives back to you.

Baking Reminds Me to Slow Down

There is something incredibly grounding about baking.

Maybe it's measuring ingredients, or remembering to be patient with the process, or feeling like I'm in my witchy apothecary era.

But as someone who spends a lot of time working in the digital world, baking gives me something tangible.

I get to create something with my hands, step away from screens, and focus on one thing at a time.

And at the end, we get to enjoy a delicious treat.

That's a pretty good trade if you ask me!

Crochet Helps Quiet My Mind

As a type-A parent and business owner, my brain is rarely quiet.

I'm constantly thinking about:

• client projects

• content ideas

• grocery lists

• school schedules

• business goals

Crochet has become one of the few things that helps me slow those thoughts down.

It's repetitive, creative, and it gives my hands something to do while my mind gets a chance to rest.

In a world that constantly demands more attention, crochet feels like a small act of rebellion that's just for me.

Gardening Teaches Patience

Gardening has become one of my favorite reminders that growth takes time.

You plant the seed, water it, and care for it - but not too much or you'll smother it!

And then you wait.

Business is a lot like that.

You don't plant something on Monday and harvest it on Friday.

You show up consistently, do the work, and trust the process.

Some seasons are full of growth while some are spent building the roots.

Gardening helps me remember that both are important.

Horses Bring Me Back to Myself

Out of all my hobbies, horseback riding is probably the one that feels the most personal.

Some people don't really understand it, but being around horses is the closest thing I have to going to church.

Back when I sprained my ankle riding, a nurse at the ER actually said I should stay away from horses and riding.

He didn't get it.

For me i's where everything gets quiet.

The connection, trust and the focus.

When I'm riding, I'm not thinking about algorithms, deadlines, or my to-do list.

I'm completely present.

It also connects me to my younger self and the hours I used to spend with my late mother galloping on trail, chatting and grooming the horse, or taking turns with the pitchfork to muck out the stall.

And in a world that constantly pulls our attention in a hundred different directions, that feeling is incredibly rare.

Every time I leave the barn, I come home feeling more like myself.

And that's something my family benefits from too.

Why This Matters for Parents Building Businesses

I know a lot of parents who feel guilty taking time for themselves.

I understand that feeling.

But I've also learned that constantly sacrificing yourself isn't sustainable.

Your kids don't need a parent who works every spare minute.

They need a parent who is fulfilled, has interests, and who takes care of themselves too.

The same goes for your business.

You don't build a successful business by running yourself into the ground.

You build it by creating a life that supports your goals and your wellbeing.

Final Thoughts

If you're building a business while raising kids, this is your reminder that it's okay to have hobbies.

It's okay to bake, crochet, garden, ride horses, paint, read, hike, you name it!

It's okay to do something simply because it makes you happy.

In fact, I'd argue it's necessary.

Because the goal isn't just to build a successful business.

The goal is to build a life you actually enjoy living.

And sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is step away from it for a little while and live.