All the Hobbies I’ve Loved Before (and How Deep I Went)
There’s something about starting a new hobby that has always lit me up.
It’s never just “let’s see if I like this.”
No, no — it’s this is going to be my thing.
And once that feeling hits, I don’t just dip my toe in — I cannonball.
Take cross-stitching, for example.
I didn’t just buy a starter kit. I bought every color collection available. Enough embroidery floss to outfit a small village. I wanted to be ready for whatever project called to me — and honestly, iAll the Hobbies I’ve Loved Before (and How Deep I Went)
t felt really good at the time. I was convinced this was the thing — the one that would stick.
Then there was candle making.
If there was a wax, a wick, a mold, a scent, or a color on the market, it was mine. My kitchen became a miniature candle factory. I had grand visions of handmade gifts for friends and family, of late nights perfecting the art of scent blending.
(It lasted about six weeks.)
Woodworking?
That was an expensive one. I needed the saws, the sanders, the drills — all the tools, all the gear. I imagined myself building beautiful furniture, learning the grain of different woods like a pro. I pictured the satisfaction of working with my hands, creating lasting things.
It wasn’t a cheap fantasy.
And scrapbooking — oh, scrapbooking.
I went to a friend’s sales party for Memorable Moments and let’s just say she moved up a few notches on the sales leaderboard that month. Paper, stickers, corner cutters, custom albums — you name it, I bought it. I really thought I was going to document my life one embellished photo at a time.
But Then Came the Fish Tank
When I say I have a history of going all in, I mean it.
But something shifted recently. Something I didn’t expect.
I had been thinking about getting a fish tank for a while. Not impulsively — really thinking about it. Researching the right tank, learning about bettas, snail care, water conditions. I didn’t wake up one day and throw a hundred things into a shopping cart.
I moved slower.
When I finally made the purchase, it wasn’t extravagant.
A five-gallon tank. One betta fish. One snail. A few decorations — not the most expensive, not the flashiest, just enough to make a cozy home.
All in all, I spent maybe $100–$150.
And more importantly — I didn’t feel the urge to go beyond that.
I felt... good.
Proud, even.
Why It Matters
Because this wasn’t just about a new hobby — it was about a new way of being.
A quiet, steady kindness toward myself.
A willingness to start small, to enjoy something without needing to master it, without trying to fill a space that hobbies were never meant to fill.
I didn’t try to create a perfect fish tank or the world’s most interesting aquascape.
I just made a simple space that brings me joy when I look at it.
And for the first time in a long time, that was enough.
The fish tank isn’t the real story here.
The real story is the slow, small changes I’m making in this new chapter of my life — the ones that loosen the grip of old patterns and make room for peace, for simplicity, for a gentler version of me.
Maybe You Know This Feeling Too
Maybe you have your own collection of half-finished projects, unopened supply kits, or abandoned hobbies gathering dust.
Maybe you also know what it feels like to rush headlong into something new, hoping it will fill a gap you haven’t yet figured out how to name.
And maybe, like me, you’re learning that it’s okay to start smaller.
To begin something just because it brings a little light into your day — not because it needs to become your new identity.
Here’s to the hobby hoppers.
Here’s to the curious collectors.
Here’s to choosing joy, one small, simple step at a time.
🦞 Copycat Red Lobster Langostino Pizza (1 Serving)
Sometimes, you want a recipe you can follow step-by-step — a little structure, a little comfort.
Ingredients:
1 small thin crust pizza shell (about 8–10 inches, or use ½ of a store-bought flatbread or naan)
½ cup cooked langostino lobster (or substitute with shrimp or crab)
2 tablespoons butter
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup shredded fontina or Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tomato
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or ½ teaspoon dried basil)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: red pepper flakes, squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425°F (or follow directions for your pizza crust).
Prepare garlic butter: In a small pan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Don’t brown it.
Brush the crust generously with garlic butter.
Add toppings: Sprinkle on the mozzarella and fontina/Monterey Jack cheeses. Distribute the langostino lobster evenly across the top. Add diced tomatoes and a sprinkle of basil.
Bake on a pizza stone or baking sheet for 8–10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is crispy.
Finish with a pinch of salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes or lemon juice for brightness.
Create-Your-Own Personal Pizzas
Other times, you want to color outside the lines — or in this case, top outside the lines.
Basic Crust Ideas:
Store-bought flatbreads
Pre-made pizza dough
Naan bread
Topping Ideas:
Sauces: Marinara, pesto, Alfredo, garlic oil
Cheeses: Mozzarella, goat cheese, Parmesan, fontina
Proteins: Pepperoni, sausage, roasted chicken, langostino
Veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, artichokes, onions, tomatoes
Extras: Pineapple, olives, arugula, balsamic glaze
🎥 Watch me make three different personal pizzas here: [Insert link or embed your video]
“Whether you follow a recipe or freestyle your own, there’s joy in every bite.”
Why This Recipe?
When it comes to hobbies (and meals), sometimes you want structure — something you can follow step-by-step without overthinking. This Langostino Lobster Pizza is exactly that: a cozy, semi-fancy comfort meal that’s easy to pull off and feels a little indulgent — just like diving into a hobby you love, without pressure.
Plus, like all good hobbies, it’s customizable and forgiving — perfect for where we’re learning to start slower and savor more.
📄 Download the Langostino Pizza Recipe PDF
📋 Download the Grocery List PDF
✨ Mindfulness Moment
Take a breath.
Let it out slowly.
Take another — let your shoulders drop with this one.
Now, think about all the hobbies you’ve tried — not with judgment, but with curiosity.
Each one was a small attempt at joy, a tiny rebellion against stagnation.
Even the ones you left behind still tell a story about who you were and what you needed at the time.
Honor them. They were steps — maybe wobbly ones — but steps all the same.
✨ Pause and Reflect Journal Prompt
What hobbies have you tried over the years, and what did they give you — even if you didn’t stick with them?
Think about:
What drew you to it in the first place?
What did you enjoy about it while you were in it?
What made you move on?
Is there a common thread between the hobbies you loved the most?
What does your hobby history say about what you value or need?
There’s no wrong answer — only a little more understanding waiting to be found.
Closing Thoughts
Because here’s the secret no one tells you — dabbling isn’t failing.
It’s living.
Every hobby, every half-finished project, every spark of curiosity was you choosing to try — and that’s more than enough.
Some passions will stick. Some will fizzle. And some will simply leave behind a funny story or a dusty set of watercolor paints.
But they all count.
So here’s to the hobby hoppers, the curious collectors, the joyful beginners — you’re exactly the kind of person the world needs more of.
A Little Gift for the Hobby Hoppers
🖸️ Download it, frame it, and hang it proudly next to your half-finished cross-stitch project.
✨ Free Download: The Hobby Hopper’s Certificate of Participation
Celebrate every hobby you’ve ever loved and left with a cheeky certificate — complete with 7 prestigious fake awards like:
Lifetime Achievement in Brief Enthusiasm
Best Use of a Craft Store Coupon (for Supplies Now in a Closet)
Most YouTube Tutorials Watched, Least Skills Gained
Fastest Decline in Hobby-Related Motivation
Outstanding Impulse Purchase of Equipment Never Used
Excellence in Half-Finished Projects
Honorary Degree in Abandoned Pinterest Boards
🌙 P.S. — Craving more cozy, life-elevating finds? Peek at my personal picks— the little things that helped me build a softer, stronger life.
