Military spouses become experts at holding everything together. When you combine supporting a service member, running a household, managing your own career, and your role at home, you hardly feel like there’s time for anything else. But hobbies can be some of the small, quiet things that hold us together.
Hobbies may seem simple or even indulgent at first glance. But the right hobby can create a moment of calm in a life that rarely slows down. It gives our brains a break, our hands something steady to do, and our hearts a place to rest. Here are a few suggestions, based on personal experience and conversations with fellow military spouses.
Embroidery
Embroidery has made a huge comeback in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. Something is deeply satisfying about slowing down enough to stitch a simple pattern.
I’ve been enjoying embroidery, choosing patterns that allow me to track my books, make ornaments that signify where we’ve lived, and create gifts for friends and family. One of my favorite parts about embroidering is that I can do it almost anywhere. I craft while my husband and sons watch sports. I bring it with me to theater rehearsals. I can even listen to my audiobooks while working on a project.
Embroidery reminds us that slow progress is still progress.
Diamond Art
If you’ve never tried diamond art, imagine paint-by-numbers meets tiny sparkly gems. You place small resin “diamonds” onto a sticky canvas to create a shimmering image. It sounds simple, and it is, but that’s part of the magic.
Diamond art requires just enough focus to quiet anxious thoughts. The repetitive motion becomes almost meditative, and watching a design slowly come to life can be incredibly rewarding.
For spouses who struggle to turn their brain off, diamond art can be the perfect low-pressure creative outlet. It’s also something I’ve gotten my youngest hooked on. He likes that he can see his progress almost immediately, and I like that it’s not related to a screen.
Reading
If you know me even a little, you know I’m an avid reader. And many military spouses I know enjoy a good book as well. With BookTok and Bookstagram, so many people are talking about the best books to read.
Reading gives our minds space to wander beyond duty stations and daily responsibilities. It’s a chance to step into another story for a while. For many spouses, reading before bed becomes a grounding ritual. It signals to our brains that the day is ending and rest is coming.
Sometimes the best therapy is simply getting lost in a good story – and they’re even better when they’re written by fellow military spouses. Some of my favorite military spouse authors include Rebecca Yarros, Kate Quinn, Claire Cain and Tif Marcelo.
Walking Outside
One of the simplest hobbies is also one of the most powerful: walking outside. Fresh air, sunlight, and movement can do wonders for stress and mental clarity. A short walk around the neighborhood, through base housing, or along a nearby trail can shift your entire mood.
Walking gives us time to process thoughts, to push through the stress of the moment, the anxiety of an upcoming move, or simply the desire to forget it all for 30 minutes. And while walking is great exercise, I encourage you to think of it as a reset more than a workout. Sometimes you just need to be outside and move your body.
Walking reminds us we’re allowed, even encouraged, to pause.
Read More: Travel Sports and Military Life: Should You Try It?
Baking
Now, this hobby isn’t mine personally, but one of my best friends absolutely loves to bake. Baking gives us a clear beginning, middle and end. Measure, mix, bake, and something warm and comforting comes out of the oven.
Whether it’s sourdough bread, drop cookies or an elaborate birthday cake, something is deeply communal about baking. A batch of cookies can welcome new neighbors, a fresh loaf of bread is perfect for lunch with a friend, and a cake is welcome at any military get together.
Coloring
Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore. Adult coloring books have become incredibly popular for good reason: They provide a quick, accessible way to relax and unwind.
Coloring engages just enough creativity to be enjoyable without requiring much mental effort. After a long day of managing schedules, responsibilities and the unpredictable pace of military life, that simplicity can feel like a gift.
Many spouses keep a coloring book and a small set of markers or colored pencils nearby for quiet moments. Whether it’s 10 minutes after dinner or a peaceful afternoon on the porch, coloring offers a gentle way to reset. And, have you seen those coloring books that are only one color? Talk about making it easy to relax!
Read More: The Community You Carry With You as a Military Spouse
Why Hobbies Matter in Military Life
Military spouses spend so much time supporting others that it’s easy to forget we need support, too. Sometimes that support looks like therapy or community, and sometimes it looks like a walk, a book or a needle and thread. The key is giving ourselves permission to do something simply because it restores us.
Maybe your hobby is something completely different: gardening, crocheting, journaling or painting. The important thing isn’t what the hobby is. It’s that it gives you a moment that belongs just to you.
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