Five Hobbies to Reclaim Your Peace in a Chaotic World.

I have found myself looking for things that bring me joy and peace, and I often find them in the little places. I know how important it is to make time for myself. Instead of constantly defaulting to endlessly scrolling on my phone for 15 minutes, I try to take a little time to engage in some of my favorite creative hobbies. Even in short 15-minute intervals, these activities give me a sense of calm. I can listen to music or guided meditations to amplify my needed peace.

As an AuDHD homeschooling mother, I need breaks throughout the day. Life is busy, chaotic, and often overwhelming, but carving out moments to recharge is vital for me. Over time, I’ve discovered five hobbies that transport me to a tranquil space and give me the strength to face the day and its challenges.

In this post, I’ll share these five hobbies with you. They’re simple, effective, and don’t require much time(unless you want them to) —perfect for reclaiming your peace in a chaotic world.

Reading

When I was younger, I loved to pick up a book and visit a faraway land. Reading was a way I could change where I was, visiting a new place without ever leaving my room. That is a skill and hobby I have continued to nurture and love even as an adult. Books allow you to learn about the lifestyles and cultures of so many places. You can build empathy by reading autobiographies of people who have lived differently than you. You can heal parts of your life with self-help books, admire the illustrations that evoke unexpected feelings, or find calm in your imagination, depending on the genre you choose.

If sitting down and reading isn’t your thing, you can always enjoy an audiobook. Many music streaming services offer free audiobooks. With a library card, you can also sign up for Libby and rent digital or audiobooks. Reading, in all its forms, is a gateway to peace and discovery.

Coloring

As a child, I found the repetition of coloring helped calm my mind. Many adults feel this is something you should outgrow, but with all the stressors we face, it’s clear that we still need this time to color and process our thoughts. Coloring offers so many mediums: crayons, markers, and colored pencils. You can even explore digital coloring or drawing. There are also plenty of YouTube artist tutorials that I love to follow. You can even try painting and use watercolors or acrylic paints.

The latest trend is using alcohol markers and adult coloring books. Here are a couple of my favorite ones here and here. So, put on your headphones, pick out your favorite coloring book and tools, and allow yourself a peaceful moment to unwind.

Knitting

There is a rush of endorphins we get once a task is complete. We feel accomplished, a sense of joy, and pride in knowing that something we had control over is now 100% done. This allows us to move on to the next task with satisfaction. That’s what knitting is like. You get to create something, watch it grow stitch by stitch, and when it’s complete, you feel an overwhelming joy because you made something with your own two hands and some string.

Knitting has many benefits. Counting the stitches can be incredibly therapeutic. As you unravel the yarn and create something new, you simultaneously unravel your thoughts and work through whatever chaos is happening in your mind. Crocheting offers a similar experience, using one hook instead of two needles. Learning to relax the tension in your yarn and seeing how it changes the garment, hat, gloves, or whatever you’re making adds another layer of mindfulness and creativity to the process.

Journaling

When confronted with hard times, it is very easy to dissociate because you may be used to coping that way. Journaling allows you to harness those feelings and release all emotions and thoughts from your mind and body. Once they’re out, you can begin to process them.

There are so many forms of journaling to suit how you process. You can write in a traditional journal, focus on scrapbooking, or try junk journaling, which combines items and memories from your day or week. Maybe you prefer to create a digital journal—whatever your style, taking a moment to process the things making you feel chaotic can help immensely.

If you’re unsure how to get started, check out some prompts I’ve shared here.

Gaming

This can include video games or board games. There have been positive effects of gaming on mental health, but as with all things, balance is key. Finding the right games to play also makes a big difference. Some people enjoy competitive gaming—racing or fighting games can be a great way to release aggression. Personally, I love the cozy game genre and cooking-style games. I gravitate towards games I can pick up and put down easily, ones that bring me a sense of calm. I’ve written about some of my favorite cozy games, which you can read about here.

Gaming helps in many areas: emotional resilience, critical thinking, and social connections, whether you’re playing online or in person. Side note: if you’re near the Grand Rapids area, I highly recommend checking out a wonderful place called House Rules. They have a wall of various board games, a bar, and a restaurant. It’s a great place to mingle and find some peace in real life with friends.

Gaming is a hobby you can share as a family. It’s great for all ages and can bring everyone together. We love board game nights and co-op games on gaming consoles as a family.

We are all trying to live a full life—one that makes us feel safe and secure. Life is full of things outside of our control, which is why it is so important to find things we can control that bring us moments of calm in a chaotic world. Hobbies help us develop as humans, offering a sense of purpose, joy, and creativity. It’s a beautiful thing when we can also share those hobbies with others, building connections and spreading positivity.

As you reflect on your own journey, consider which hobbies bring you peace. Start small, dedicate a little time to explore, and allow yourself to grow into those practices. Whether it’s reading, knitting, coloring, journaling, or gaming, these activities can help you feel grounded and rejuvenated.

What hobbies bring you calm and joy? I’d love to hear about them! Share your favorites in the comments or let me know how you incorporate them into your life. Together, we can inspire one another to create more tranquil moments in our daily routines.

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