Menopause brings physical changes and emotional shifts that can leave you feeling disconnected from joy. An excellent way to nurture your wellbeing is by investing time in hobbies that spark your interest and passion. Beyond the usual suggestions, here are some unique, creative hobby ideas to consider.
DIY Planners & Journals
Crafting handmade planners and notebooks is a rewarding hobby that allows for creativity and customization. By DIYing your own organizational tools, you can design them exactly how you like. This hobby only requires some basic supplies like decorative paper, glue, customizable inserts, pens, and binding materials like string, rings, or staples. The process of measuring, cutting, decorating, and assembling all the elements into a finished planner or journal can be meditative. You’ll also end up with an inspirational book to keep track of your appointments, goals, notes, and more.
Jewelry Making
Channel your inner artisan by learning jewelry design techniques like wire wrapping, bead stringing, or metalsmithing. Creating beautiful necklaces, earrings, and bracelets can be tremendously satisfying. Local bead shops offer classes to get you started.
Help Your Local Animal Shelter
Find fulfillment through volunteering at a local animal shelter. Help make life better for rescue dogs and cats by providing attention, care, training, and socialization. Not only does nurturing animals in need feel good, you’ll also be keeping active and meeting fellow animal lovers in your community. Shelters need compassionate people who can walk dogs, cuddle cats, plan adoption events, assist with grooming, and more.
Even just an hour or two a week can make a big impact in improving quality of life and finding forever homes. If you have a passion for pets, consider sharing your time and talents at a nearby shelter. This volunteering opportunity will enrich your life as much as the furry friends you help.
ChatGPT
Discover an exciting and unique hobby – be one of the first to learn how to use ChatGPT, the new AI chatbot that’s taking the world by storm! Start by asking ChatGPT thoughtful questions and giving it engaging writing prompts to uncover its capabilities. But take it further by guiding ChatGPT to help enrich other hobbies too – ask for craft ideas, recipes, book recommendations, and more! Letting your curiosity run wild while nudging ChatGPT to be helpful, harmless, and honest makes conversing with this AI a one-of-a-kind hobby.
Herbalism
The ancient practice of herbalism teaches you to grow, forage and use medicinal plants. Start your own herb garden or make teas, tinctures, salves and more. Herbalism offers a natural path for women to take control of their health during menopause. This therapeutic hobby involves utilizing herbs, plants, and other botanicals to craft remedies that ease challenging menopausal symptoms. For example, sage and black cohosh can help reduce hot flashes, St. John’s Wort boosts mood, and ashwagandha lowers stress and anxiety. Beyond the physiologic benefits, the process of preparing tinctures, salves, teas, and tonics empowers women by building plant medicine knowledge. Useful supplies include glass jars, strainers, herbal ingredients, carrier oils, and books detailing medicinal properties.
Joining online or in-person herbalist communities allows for sharing recipes, safety tips, and treatment experiences. The creative, hands-on nature of blending and preparing natural concoctions makes herbalism an enjoyable lifelong hobby for menopausal and postmenopausal women seeking control over their health.
Geocoaching
Geocaching is a treasure hunting activity that combines technology with the thrill of discovery. Participants use GPS coordinates posted online to locate hidden geocaches around the world. A typical geocache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and trade items. After finding a geocache, you sign the logbook and can swap an item inside. Geocaching requires using geographic coordinates, a GPS device or smartphone app, and navigation skills to pinpoint the caches. It’s an adventurous hobby that can take you to parks, forests, urban areas, and other scenic locations. With over 2 million active geocaches worldwide, there’s always a new treasure to find! Geocaching appeals to hobbyists of all ages who enjoy the outdoors, orienteering, puzzle solving, and collecting. Join online forums and events to connect with fellow geocaching enthusiasts in your area.
Drawing
Drawing with an iPad and the Procreate app is not just for the tech-savvy youngsters—it’s a fantastic and fun way to unleash your creative side. Whether you’re sketching your daily adventures, creating digital masterpieces, or simply doodling to relax, this hobby offers a vibrant and imaginative mental escape. So, grab that stylus and let your creativity flow!
Nail Art
Unleash your creativity through the vibrant world of DIY nail art. All you need are a few key supplies – nail polishes in an array of hues, striping tape, rhinestones, glitter, striping brushes, top coat. Watch online video tutorials to learn techniques from ombre fading to floral details. Paint on polka dots, geometric patterns, doodles, or scenic landscapes in miniature on each nail. Mix colors and textures for endless design possibilities. Set aside time for your hobby so the polish dries properly. Then show off your edgy nail creations wherever you go!
Woodworking
Channel a bit of rugged DIY spirit by taking up woodworking. Woodworking is a rewarding hands-on hobby that allows you to create functional and decorative objects from wood. With some basic tools like saws, drills, sanders, and clamps, you can make anything from furniture and cutting boards to birdhouses and jewelry boxes. Woodworking provides an outlet for creativity and problem-solving. Essential techniques like joinery, finishing, carving, and lathe work can be learned and perfected over time.
Skill Share even offers classes online! The satisfaction from taking raw lumber and transforming it into beautiful and useful pieces is unmatched. Display your handcrafted creations proudly or give them as heartfelt gifts. With a little patience and practice, you’ll be amazed at what you can make from wood!
Glasswork
The art of glasswork makes for a mesmerizing hands-on hobby. By learning glass fabrication methods like stained glass, mosaics, and fusing, you can produce one-of-a-kind home decor, gifts, and wearable art. Display your finished glass pieces proudly or give them as meaningful gifts. And enjoy a relaxing, creative escape by losing yourself in the glow of the glass. The sparkle, texture, and light effects achievable with this medium are endless.
Raise Butterflies
Butterfly gardening takes on new life when you raise them yourself. With proper supplies like an enclosure, host plants for larvae, and nectar feeders, you can experience the wonder of each transformation stage. Caring for caterpillars as they hungrily munch leaves, seeing their chrysalis form, and finally watching adult butterflies emerge and fly is an unforgettable journey. Start with just a few larvae or eggs, research proper care diligently, and enjoy watching each stage of metamorphosis unfold!
During menopause it’s vital to make time for activities that spark joy; these unique hobbies help nurture lifelong learning while developing your skills and talents. Experiment to find which passions resonate most. Remember, it’s never too late to try something new. Your next gratifying hobby may be just a class away!
