It’s been well over a month since I’ve hit the shop and it’s been at least two months since I’ve posted something here. I’ve been feeling guilty.
I’ve been blessed with a ton of work, lots of family time lately and we just returned from a long overdue vacation, not to mention the holidays. Life is good! So why am I feeling guilty?
Chris Schwartz seems to have a new blog post in my inbox daily. Marc Spagnolo and Shannon Rogers post lessons nearly every week. Pros like Chris Wong or Rob Bois seem to not only crank out projects at an alarming rate, they somehow have the time to blog about them. Then there are all retired folks posting their recent triumphs. Why can’t I keep up with any if them?
Then I have to remind myself– they do this for a living (or now have their retirement days to enjoy), I do this as a HOBBY!! The moment it becomes overwhelming or stressful, its not a hobby anymore. When I tell people I do woodworking, the first words out of their mouth is “where do you find the time?” At the moment I find myself asking the same question!
It is true that I usually have a ton my plate, but that is one of the reasons I deciding to pursue my interest in woodworking– stress relief! I love being in the shop and getting in the zone. There is nothing like it.
Life is full and sometimes you just have to prioritize. Sometimes you need to take a break, a hiatus if you will. Our recent family vacation was long overdue. The whole family just needed a break. All of us returned so energized and ready to conquer the world! I guess you even need to take a break from your hobbies.
Hopefully I can end my Hobby Hiatus in the following weeks and get back “work”!!
The Lighthearted Woodworker 
I’m wondering where to find the time myself. Obviously we all love woodworking, but I think to keep a really active blog you have to love that part of it too. However, sometimes you just need to unplug it all and do what makes you happy. I myself took a lot of time off from my shop during the holidays and while I felt guilty for a bit, it was a much needed recharge time.
My woodworking shop is in the back bay of my garage so I see it a couple of times a day. Everytime I mourn for more time to get in there. I even milled some lumber a couple of weeks ago for a new project and now I see the shop and the milled lumber so it’s a double groan. This weekend, I swear.
Well said, once a hobby feels like an obligation… it kind of defeats the purpose of having a hobby!
Sometimes taking a break allows you to recharge your batteries and imagine new projects and new challenges you can build and tackle.