I was driving to work this morning, wondering why I feel so 'blah' all the time. I've had a stressful couple of weeks for various reasons. I do take anti-depressants and birth control for PMDD, so I feel like my 'blah' feeling is coming from something else. That got me thinking about what keeps other people happy. My husband is passionate about a few things. He loves music, the Texas Rangers, and he collects transformers toys. He also loves to draw and build stuff. I feel so happy that he has those passions that are his, that he can do for himself. I started thinking of my own passions. What do I love? The only things I could think of were my kids, my husband, my family, my home, my job! Come on! Those things are not enough to make a person feel fulfilled in their lives. Yes, I am a Mom, and I love being a Mom. Yes, I am a wife, and I love being a wife. But those things do NOT define me! I think that is the source of my 'blah' feeling. I have no hobbies, no passions. Nothing that is just for me.
So my question is... what things are YOU passionate about? What do you do for your own happiness that has nothing to do with children, husband, etc.? What do you do that enriches YOUR life?
Sorry about the double post, I'm not sure why that happened!
This forum fills a lot of my free time. I guess I'm passionate on giving advice, haha. I have to be careful tho since my hubby gets a little cross if I'm on here too much when he's not passionately building bird houses. Other than that, I just work and don't really have a "passion" about anything. I often wish I did. So, I know what you mean.
I like to make quilts. I try to make at least one for chairity a year. (Usually I give away about 5 or more but one is the goal so if I get sick or busy)
I use to volunteer with the Red Cross answering phones and sending messages things like that.
Find a charity you would like to support and do a little fund raiser. You can your kids could offer a little car wash for donations or ask a grocery store if you could bag for donations for the charity one day a month. Nothing like giving back to boost your spirits.
I agree with you, I feel blah also. Yes, I too am a mom and enjoy mommyhood, but I don't have current hobbies or outlets to define. I am unlike you because I am feeling like I totally dislike being a wife and trying not to say I hate my husband.
Before the husband and kids....I was a dancer and a choreographer. That is a God given talent that I have had since I was inside my mom's womb. I still looooove dance and miss it so. I don't have the chances now to dance or partake in such activities due to very little children and a husband. Although, I feel he could give me a break once in a while and allow me to go dance with a company or see a show.
Last year I hit a tree head on and was down for 6 months. Luckily I had started a business where I did not need to show up to get paid. While I recovered for 6 months my pay actually increased. This sounds silly but I have been extrememly passionate about showing folks how to have a back up plan. Even if folks think that their job is secure or their business is booming.....what happens if they don't show up for 6 months or more.
I guess my real passion is helping people. This also gets me out where I can talk to adults. I got a little depressed being home all the time. There is only so much cleaning you can do. I used to get mad when the kids would mess up the house after I just finished cleaning. :)
Cooking, which goes nicely with the husband and kids, but not with the desire to lose weight :P
Hm, I do think about the same thing but I also try not to be too hard on myself. I figure kids are young just for so long and then I will be all alone, and have all the free time I will not necessarily want.
I am passionate about reading. I will read only when I have the time to trully enjoy it. That is about it. :(
I've found myself thinking about this a few times lately. I'm 25, with a great husband and a precious 2-year-old little man. I have a decent job, not necessarily a career, but very thankful to have it. With out telling my life story, I have not finished college YET!! So up until 2 years ago, all I had been doing is reading and studying! But, I enjoyed it. I've thought about going through my text books. I bought Katie Couric's new book too--"The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives." Go figure, I was a journalism major. Anywho, what did you used to enjoy b.f (before family)??
I feel like there are so many things I would like to do, like volunteer to help other women/mothers/children. It's all just a matter of doing it and making the time I suppose. I wish you all the very best--it's hard to not lose yourself in being a wife/mom, but the "you" is in there somewhere :)
A fews songs that really help me when I'm feeling blah- Free to Be Me by Francesca Battistelli and More Beautiful You by Johnny Diaz. Not sure your religious beliefs, but they are Christian artists. They are greats songs!
I'm passionate about far too many things... but my question for YOU:
If you won $500 million dollars tomorrow, after taxes,... what would you do with yourself? (After you got bored with doing nothing).
I'd suggest making out a list:
- Who you'd give it away to and how much
- What you'd buy
- What you'd save
- And then *finally* how would you spend your time?
There's not a single thing that you would ***do*** with $$$ that can't be done, over a longer period of time WITHOUT that money.
Painting. If I'm not making time in the studio to work, I'm reading about it to keep my mind elevated and on track. Listening to music and playing piano, politics, reading, writing and giving advice :)
I love to scrapbook but haven't touched the stuff in over a year. I would love to study photography but can't find time and when I do, I am too tired and fall asleep reading. I honestly think it is harder nowadays, especially for moms to find time for stuff like that. I just keep telling myself, someday I will have the time. I just hope that someday is soon.
What were you passionate about when you were younger? What did you LOVE to do? Maybe try going back to some of these things as an adult and see if you still love it. I know what you are saying though. I have definitely lost some of my passion for things as growing older and it sucks. I miss feeling that excitement. Part of it for me is having young kids and being so tired all the time. I think I'll get some of it back when I'm getting a full night of sleep each night! hopefully. The things that get me going are art, creating things, friends, travel and vacations, exercise, and nature. I used to be SO passionate about whale research and now that it has been so long since I have done anything like that (And I don't live near the ocean any more) I feel like I have lost my biggest passion. Now I enjoy making tiles, glazing them, painting, making prints, and selling them at art shows. One day I will hopefully get back into biology.
I draw, garden or if I am given time I read. There is many more things, These are just the three I pick up more then others.
I love putting on my point shoes when the house is quiet and play around a little. I have not been ''dancing'' for seven years now..doesnt keep me from cruising down memory lane. I have a few tutus left from rehearsing so, i will put one on too. I love playing dress up from the past that way. My oldest who is 6 loves watching me pretend too. He wasnt around during my dancing days and, the pictures only sort of do some justice. so he loves watching me play too:) He will try and put a pair of point shoes on and by the end we are usually laughing and cracking up with or cool moves!!
I needed this today. Thank you.
Photography, writing, making new meals we have never had before, candles, just enjoying nature (I can just go outside, summer- winter and breathe and feel refreshed), decorating and redecorating, exercising, snuggling my pets, and caring for them, and antiques (I love the stories behind each item and the personal history).
I have tried to combine the two, a hobby and my family life. My DH bought me a new sewing maching (something I have always wanted) and I have started sewing dresses for my DD's I have started making hairbows and tutu's as well. I get some 'me' time and I have something to show for it afterward. With 4 children I feel guilty to spend time doing something I enjoy but at least I can say this is for them, I'm even making a little $ on the side selling my stuff!
I'm an artist so that question is easy. I love to draw, paint, and sew. I love making something out of nothing!
My husband and I share one of our biggest passions. Building lifesize R2D2s. We both belong to an R2D2 builders club and have been working on 4 lifesized droids for the past 5 years. Lots of work and a little hard to find time between the kids, but it's something that we can do together.
My husband loves RC helocopters and when the kids let him, he flies them at one of the parks they go to during the day.
