I've been told by many people that I have "old lady hobbies"- even by close friends! Needlepoint, building Legos, and reading apparently make me old (and nerdy)... somehow I have yet to be horribly bothered by that. All of my hobbies force your brain to turn on and think and work.
Don't get me wrong- planting myself on the sofa and watching marathons of Grey's Anatomy is something I love too... but since my goal in life is not to have my brain turn to mush... I have my other loves.
My mom, my Nana and my aunts have been needle-pointing for years. I once tried to learn when I was in elementary school but the hobby didn't stick; looking back I would venture to say its because I didn't like my canvas. Just after this past holiday season, I decided to try again. My Mom and I went into her favorite needlepoint store and 30 minutes later, we left canvases in hand. Then came the giant boxes of thread she and Nana had gathered over the years- matched thread to paint color and the lessons began.
My first piece is almost complete- finishing touches are happening in between typing this post! These hobbies may not be the most glamorous or "young" but for me, I feel rewarded when I complete a section and again when the whole is complete. Its something to be able to see things you've worked on and accomplished outside of your career. And hey, if not just for the fact of having moments throughout your day when you challenge your mind on a thing you actually enjoy, at least your can say you are having fun!
Photo: Snowboarder canvas- Jebba in Corona del Mar/Lego holiday train '15/J.Crew sweater HO '14/Kate Spade watch/J.Crew 'Snowflower' bracelet FA '15)