What hobby has taught you the importance of self-care and prioritizing your well-being? Share one tip for incorporating self-care into your routine through hobbies.

I have lots of creative hobbies (ceramics, knitting, crochet) and they are essential to my mental health; having hobbies I enjoy ensures that I have something to look forward to regularly and my hobbies also allow me to reap the benefits of the "effort driven reward cycle"/ Lots of my clients find it difficult to make time for hobbies, and one suggestion that often works well is to simply sign up for a class of some sort. This acts as a forcing function even when you're feeling too busy. We're using to showing up for what's on our calendars, so this is a simple way to integrate your hobby into your schedule, and make sure you show up. And an added bonus is that you might make some friends who also share your hobby!

Writing has taught me the importance of self-care by showing me the value of slowing down and reflecting on my thoughts and emotions. When life feels overwhelming, sitting down with a notebook or my laptop allows me to process my experiences and reconnect with myself. It's a space where I can be honest and creative without judgment. Writing has reminded me that carving out time for myself isn't selfish-it's essential. One tip for incorporating self-care into your routine through writing is to set aside just 10 minutes a day to journal or free-write. You don't need a prompt or a goal; just let your thoughts flow. This small but consistent habit can become a powerful way to check in with yourself and clear mental clutter.

The hobby that has taught me the importance of self-care and prioritizing my well-being has been walking. Going out in nature and removing the distractions I have at work or at home, has made me focus on what is important to me. First of all, walking is easy to do wherever you are. As someone who travels a lot, it's not possible to sign up for a gym for a few weeks, but I can put on my shoes and go outside whenever I want. Since I've traveled as a petsitter for a lot of the time, it helps to have the company of a dog. You can go as fast or slow as you want and take the time to look around and learn about your surroundings. This benefits your well-being and shows the importance of self-care because you get to listen to your inner voice far better. It is a great time to reflect on where you are in your life and what parts of it you'd like to improve on. When we think about hobbies for self-care, there are many who believe this needs to be done with some kind of exciting sport, but I've found that in simplicity lies the key to a good life. We should look for our well-being within and walking is a great way to connect with oneself. As you go on more walks, and you can start with a five or ten-minute stroll, you'll see that your worries or anxieties will become less. Make sure to leave your phone in your pocket. You can listen to some music or a podcast, but I would even leave that out of the walk. Listen to your surroundings and pay attention. Philosopher Simone Weil said that paying attention means loving. This is not a spiritual exercise, while it can be, but it is focused on being present. See what the world is like and what place you take in it. From there you'll be able to discover a lot about yourself and learn how to improve your self-care and well-being.

Gardening has been the hobby that truly taught me the importance of self-care and prioritizing my well-being. Over the years, as I worked with clients and developed Ozzie Mowing and Gardening, I realized that tending to a garden is not just about the plants, it is about nurturing yourself too. There is something grounding about getting your hands in the soil, feeling the texture of the earth, and seeing how consistent care transforms a space into something beautiful. For me, the simple act of pruning roses or planting seasonal vegetables has been meditative. It allows me to slow down, focus, and disconnect from the noise of the outside world. My horticultural training has helped me appreciate how plants thrive under care and attention, and it has taught me to do the same for myself. By understanding the science behind plant growth, I have developed a deeper respect for the time and effort it takes to see results, not just in gardening, but in life. One tip for incorporating self-care into your routine is to find a hobby that connects you to nature in a hands-on way. You do not need a sprawling garden to get started. A small herb planter on a windowsill can be just as rewarding. Dedicate 15 minutes a day to caring for it, water it, check the leaves, notice the growth. This small routine can become a mindful practice that reduces stress and builds a sense of accomplishment. Over time, you will find that the rhythm of nurturing something living helps you slow down and prioritize yourself, much like I have found in my years of professional and personal gardening experience. It is a small but powerful way to bring a sense of calm and fulfillment into your day.

Hobbies are an excellent form of self-care when they are enjoyable, bring fulfillment, reduce stress, and create a more balanced life. An added bonus is finding a hobby that improves cognitive ability. Examples include puzzles, word games, learning games, reading, drawing, painting, crocheting, and jewelry making. Scheduling time for a favorite hobby makes it a priority. If it's not scheduled, it's too easy to come up with an excuse as to why it's not a priority. Hobbies that are not prioritized do not promote work/life balance.

How Strength Training Taught Me the Power of Prioritizing Self-Care One hobby that has truly taught me the importance of self-care is strength training. As a busy entrepreneur, it's easy to get caught up in work and neglect my physical well-being. However, I've found that making time for strength training has improved my fitness and mental health. There's something about the focused effort of lifting weights helping me clear my mind and reduce stress. When I first started, I was juggling a million things, but taking just 30 minutes to push myself at the gym or a simple HIIT workout made me feel rejuvenated. My tip for incorporating self-care into your routine through hobbies is to schedule it like any other important task. Treating your hobby as a non-negotiable part of your day-whether it's exercise, reading, or painting-ensures that you make time for yourself and recharge, even on the busiest days.

The hobby that taught me the most about the importance of self care and prioritizing well-beng would be cooking. I watched cooking shows between classes in college before they were popular which turned into a hobby of mine which then led me to really explore healthy cooking to cleanup my health which is a great form of self-care. Self-care is prioritizing your needs to be at your best and what better way to do this by preparing healthy food for yourself.

Making skincare products has taught me how important it is to take care of myself and prioritize my well-being. It's such a relaxing and rewarding process to create something that not only feels good on my skin but also brings me joy. One tip I'd share is to carve out a little time every week for a hobby you love, as if it's an appointment you can't skip. Be it crafting, painting, or even baking, let it be your time to just breathe and recharge. Taking care of yourself is not selfish-it is necessary!