Ever looked up “hobbies for women” online? Maybe you found something cool, like painting, gardening, or even maybe candle making. But then you thought, “Wait, can I make money from this?” Sound familiar? Often, we feel pressured to turn every interest into a profit opportunity. But what if we could just enjoy our hobbies without the business angle?

When Every Hobby Becomes a Side Hustle

As entrepreneurs, it can sometimes be challenging to do things purely for fun. We feel guilty if a hobby doesn’t help our business grow. This mindset can leave us feeling drained and unfulfilled.

I completely understand this feeling. Whenever I find a new hobby, I immediately think, “How can I sell this?” It’s as if I can’t enjoy things without making them “profitable.” Just recently, I started growing herbs and even bought a dehydrator to dry them. My brain instantly went to, “How could I turn this into a novel product?” This way of thinking can burn us out fast. It robs us of the simple joy of doing something purely for pleasure.

Why Hobbies Matter

Contrary to popular belief, hobbies aren’t just for passing time. In reality, they help us stay balanced and happy. They can:

• Lower stress by giving us a break from work worries
• Boost creativity by exposing us to new ideas and experiences
• Give our busy minds a break from constant problem-solving
• Improve our mood and overall well-being

Furthermore, hobbies help remind us that we’re more than just our businesses. Surprisingly, hobbies can actually help your business without trying to. For instance, they can spark fresh ideas, help you see problems from new angles, and make you more interesting to clients and colleagues. (Who knew that binge-watching cat videos could be professional development? Okay, maybe not that, but you get the idea.)

Hobbies for Women Entrepreneurs to Try

Let’s look at some hobbies you might enjoy:

1. Gardening – promotes patience, reduces stress, provides a sense of accomplishment
2. Cooking – enhances creativity, teaches a practical skill, serves as a form of relaxation
3. Painting – encourages self-expression, improves concentration, acts as a meditative practice
4. Yoga – reduces stress, improves flexibility and balance, enhances mental clarity
5. Writing – improves communication skills, aids in self-reflection, offers a creative outlet

More Ways to Enjoy Your Day

6. Photography – sharpens observational skills, preserves memories, allows for artistic expression
7. Hiking – provides physical exercise, connects you with nature, improves mental well-being
8. Crafting – boosts creativity, provides a sense of accomplishment, can be a social activity
9. Playing music – enhances cognitive skills, provides stress relief, allows for self-expression
10. Volunteering – offers a sense of purpose, connects you with the community, provides new perspectives

These are just a few examples. In truth, the best hobbies for women are the ones that bring you joy and help you relax. Don’t be afraid to try something completely unrelated to your business. Often, the most fulfilling hobbies are those that challenge us in new ways.

How to Stop Turning Hobbies into Work

Try these tips to enjoy your hobbies without guilt:

1. Set hobby time: Keep this time free from work talk. Treat it as sacred “me time.”
2. Be a beginner: It’s okay to be bad at your hobby. Embrace the learning process without pressure to excel.
3. Focus on fun: Enjoy doing, not achieving. There’s no need to set goals or track progress in your hobby.
4. Join hobby groups: Meet people who share your interests, not just business contacts. This can expand your social circle beyond work.
5. Leave your phone behind: Resist the urge to document everything for social media. Live in the moment instead.

Remember, hobbies make you a better business owner without trying. They give you new ideas, help you relax, and make you more well-rounded. This can actually make you more effective when you do focus on work.

Your Turn to Have Fun

Here’s your challenge: Pick a hobby and do it just for fun. No business plans allowed! Start small – even just 30 minutes a week can make a difference. Notice how you feel before and after your hobby time. You might be surprised at the positive impact it has on your mood and energy levels. Remember, you’re not just an entrepreneur – you’re a whole person with diverse interests and needs. It’s time to honor all parts of yourself, not just the business side. (And hey, if all else fails, there’s always that cat video binge-watching we talked about earlier.)

Feeling weighed down by beliefs that just don’t fit anymore? Like you’re running your business with someone else’s rulebook? Check out our free Entrepreneur’s Burn Book. It’s where we challenge those sneaky beliefs that might have served us once, but now? Not so much.