Last Updated on January 16, 2024 by Erin
Hey there fabulous ladies over 35! If you’ve started to feel a spark to try something new, you’re not alone. Welcome to the middle-age renaissance! Whether you’re looking to rediscover yourself or just want to try something different, here’s a roundup of creative midlife crisis hobbies that can add a splash of excitement to your life.
If you’re new here, welcome! My name is Erin and as you can tell by the name of this blog, I’m a mom entering midlife. I recently experienced an early midlife crisis and ended up making a huge career transition as a result. It’s all worked out for the best and now I’m doing everything I can to navigate the “middle ages” in the best possible way. My hope with this blog is that you find relatable stories and useful information to help you on your path.
My initial post on discovering midlife hobbies became more popular than I ever expected it to! Turns out, many of you out there are also looking for ways to add a little joy and excitement to your life. As a result, I’ve decided to kick-off my first ever blog series devoted to finding a midlife crisis hobby that suits you.
This post is all about hobbies that bring out your creative side. You don’t have to be an artist to create amazing things. Whatever you make will be an expression of who you are and who you are becoming. It’s a portfolio of the growth you are making on your life journey.
Does your art have to look like it belongs in a shop or museum? Absolutely not! Sometimes even the process itself is the best part. If it turns out you’re really good at whatever craft you pursue, that’s amazing, but definitely not required.
So, grab that paintbrush, dance to your favorite tune, and let the creativity flow. Your midlife renaissance awaits – and it’s going to be amazing!
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Painting to Discover Your Inner Artist
Painting is not about creating masterpieces that belong in museums; it’s about expressing yourself. I love painting alongside my children. It ends up looking like something created in a kindergarten art room, but it’s so relaxing to me. Watercolors are my favorite way to paint because they are so uncomplicated and look great even when you aren’t really trying.
To kickstart your painting adventure, you’ll need a few basic materials. Firstly, invest in a set of high-quality acrylic or watercolor paints. These versatile mediums are forgiving for beginners and allow you to experiment with different techniques. Grab a variety of brushes – from broad strokes to fine details.
If you really want to try painting but feel like you need a little guidance, there are some fantastic guidebooks out there. For Mother’s Day last year, I bought my mother a set and she has had so much fun with it. Her particular book focused on painting flowers. I love seeing her creations!
You could also ease into painting with a paint-by-number set! There are some really beautiful kits out there that would probably look amazing hanging up your wall when you’re finished.
Become a Plant Person
In my previous post regarding outdoor midlife hobbies, I had a section focusing on gardening. We don’t have to get inside to appreciate plants and nature, though. You can get creative with your indoor plants. Give a terrarium, bonsai, or fairy garden a try!
I personally find miniature garden creations to be so fun and whimsical and I can only assume that they bring a lot of joy to their owners. Just picture the process of selecting your plants, arranging them in aesthetically pleasing ways, and watching them flourish under your care.
You can start small with plants and grab a few easy indoor varieties such as:
- Snake plant- tolerates low light, can handle irregular watering, great air purifier
- Spider plant- tolerates indirect light, adaptable, visually interesting
- ZZ plant- virtually indestructible
- Pothos- resilient, thrives in low light, fun cascading element
- Cactus- need bright and indirect light, minimal watering
If you want to get a bit more creative with plants and create something like a terrarium or fairy garden, here are some plant varieties to try:
- Creeping Thyme- low growth, creates ground cover in a confined space
- Irish Moss- another low growth ground cover
- Miniature Hosta- needs indirect light, prune to keep it small
- Fairy Ferns- the name is perfect, right?
Starting from scratch may seem a little daunting, but it’s easy to find starter kits out there. I like this terrarium kit that doesn’t look too childish. Start there and then add whatever little figures you want.
Writing: Unleash Your Inner Wordsmith
This is one of the midlife crisis hobbies I picked up last year. I began blogging about my midlife journey and creating a personal journal to track my insights and moods.
Engaging in writing as a midlife hobby can be a profoundly rewarding and cathartic experience. Whether you’ve harbored a secret desire to pen down your life’s adventures or are simply drawn to the idea of expressing yourself through words, writing offers a therapeutic outlet for self-discovery and creativity during a midlife phase.
Journaling for Reflection
Keeping a personal journal can be a powerful tool for self-reflection. Documenting your thoughts, emotions, and experiences provides a unique perspective on your journey, helping you gain insights into your own growth and evolution.
There are so many different types of journals and many that allow to jot down a few thoughts rather than a several-page essay. Check out these options and see what works best for you:
- gratitude journal
- self-care journal
- mindfulness journal
- creative writing journal
- dream journal
- book reading journal
Creative Writing
Midlife is a perfect time to explore various forms of creative writing. You might find joy in crafting short stories, poems, or even delving into the world of fiction or non-fiction. This process allows you to unleash your imagination and share your unique perspective with the world.
If you’re worried someone might stumble upon your writing, keep it secure in your password-protected Google Drive.
To get started, try a free writing exercise. Set aside time for free writing without any specific topic or structure. Allow your thoughts to flow freely onto the page. This practice encourages creativity, self-discovery, and the exploration of untapped ideas.
Need an escape? Embrace the freedom of fiction writing. Create characters, invent worlds, and explore imaginary scenarios. Writing fiction allows you to tap into your imagination.
Experiment with poetry as a form of self-expression. Whether it’s free verse, haiku, or sonnets, poetry can convey emotions and experiences in a condensed and evocative manner. Remember- no one has to read it unless you want them to!
Start Your Memoir
Writing a memoir can be a transformative experience, allowing you to revisit and make sense of pivotal moments in your life. It’s a way of leaving a legacy for yourself and your loved ones, capturing your personal narrative in a tangible form.
Writing a memoir isn’t narcissistic, I promise. It holds so much value to you and your loved ones. If you need a boost to get started, try a workbook with guiding questions.
Start a Blog
A year ago, I decided to start a blog to document my journey and give inspiration to anyone else out there hoping to make a midlife career change and get their finances in order.
Starting a blog is an excellent way to share your thoughts, experiences, and expertise with a wider audience. Whether it’s a travel blog, a lifestyle blog, or a platform to discuss your passions, blogging connects you with like-minded individuals and creates a sense of community.
It’s much easier to start a blog than you think. I didn’t even think it was possible, but here I am with my little blog and actually making a small profit.
Want to know more? Check out these posts:
- Reasons to Start a Midlife Blog
- Starting a Midlife Blog: The First Month
- My Second Month with a Midlife Blog
Clearly, I’m due for another blog update!
Self-Publishing Adventures
With the rise of self-publishing platforms, you have the opportunity to share your writing with a broader audience. Whether it’s a collection of essays, short stories, or a novel, self-publishing allows you to see your work in print and share it with the world.
My mom actually self-published a children’s book a few years ago! She wrote it to help explain to a classroom of young children what a student teacher is and what they would be doing in their classroom. Was it a huge success? No. Was it extremely satisfying to see her creation illustrated and published? Yes.
I’ve actually published a few coloring books using Amazon’s KDP services. I had to watch several YouTube tutorials to get the hang of it, but it’s fairly easy to make books in Canva. Again, not a huge success, but they are free to make and publish! I had fun gifting them to my nieces and nephews.
Supplies that Motivate You
If you’re serious about starting a writing hobby, having fun supplies can be a great motivator.
For me, getting my home office set up for blogging was a good first step. I bought an ergonomic mouse pad, laptop stand riser, and a matching wireless mouse and keyboard. The keyboard makes an amazing tippy-tappy sound that reminds me of keyboards in the 90s. I love it so much!
Going the pencil and paper route? Then you might consider a vintage-inspired notebook and fountain pen. And since we are “middle-aged,” some fashionable readers are probably called for as well.
Become a DIY-er
From homemade décor to upcycled furniture, there’s no limit to what you can create with a little imagination and some basic crafting supplies.
We are lucky to live in the age of Pinterest, where other creatives have already paved the way and can provide us the beginning steps to starting a project. I’ve also found the library to be a great source of DIY project how-tos.
It feels pretty awesome to be able to learn some new skills and actually benefit from it in your own home. This is an area that really speaks to my husband. He was able to do a lot of the work when finishing our basement because he was curious and wanted to learn.
Once you find that special something that speaks to you, you might consider turning it into a side hustle for some additional income. If you’ve been around this blog for a while, you know I am very passionate about midlife finances and building wealth.
You can try promoting or selling your projects on social media marketplaces or platforms like Etsy.
Cooking Creatively
Transform your kitchen into a playground. Experiment with new recipes, cuisines, and cooking techniques. Who knows, you might discover a hidden talent for gourmet delights.
Once you get going, share with others! A sense of community is so important in a midlife journey, so why not use your cooking talents to share with others? Start a neighborhood potluck, make a point to cook for extended family once in a while, or share your recipes with other like-minded individuals on social media.
Honorable Mentions
I’ve only shared a few creative pursuits that I know a little about. There are so many ways to be creative and it’s not limited to art. Give these other creative hobbies a consideration:
- dance classes
- improv
- photography (I spoke more about this in my previous post)
- ceramics
- jewelry
- graphic design
- calligraphy
- quilting
- music composition
- learn a new instrument
- scrapbooking
- make your own soaps
- start a cover band
Online Learning to Support Your Hobbies
If there is a skill you’re dying to learn but need more than just a library book and a few YouTube videos, you might want to consider classes at your local community college or online learning communities.
There are several online platforms where experts generously share their knowledge with you in a user-friendly way. Skillshare offers thousands of different classes to help you explore your creativity while Udemy is an education hub for tech skills such as graphic design.
Final Thoughts
The hobbies I mentioned in this post offer a diverse range of creative outlets. My hope is that you find one that allows you to explore different forms of self-expression and craftsmanship during your midlife journey.
Choose one that resonates with your interests and brings joy to your creative pursuits.
Which one speaks to you? What did I leave off that you want others to know about? Let us know in the comments!
Sincerely,
Erin
