I’m someone who is always working on something. Whether it’s garden landscapes, flipping furniture, or small home projects, I just love creating. When I became a mother, I knew I wouldn’t have as much time for these things—but I didn’t realize how deeply that sacrifice would affect me.
I love my little girl more than anything, and she has made my world so much brighter. When she was a newborn, I could pop her in the carrier and head out to the garden for a while. She also napped so much that I had blocks of time to clean, cook, or work on a project. But now that she’s 10 months old, life is a lot more exciting for her—which means fewer naps, more “Mom!” moments, and much less time for me to cook and clean, let alone pursue hobbies.
As hard as this has been, I see how it’s forced me to slow down and focus on what truly matters. Motherhood, like marriage, is sanctifying—it’s a daily laying down of self to serve another. And that’s not easy when you’re used to getting things done quickly.
Some days I feel bitter or restless. I catch myself asking, How am I supposed to do anything? In those moments, God reminds me of His words to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
These challenges are gifts—opportunities to rely on Him. What a comfort to know God doesn’t leave us to figure life out alone. When we depend on Him, He directs our steps exactly where they need to go.
Still, I’ll admit—I’m uncomfortable. Uncomfortable with sitting still, moving slowly through these new rhythms of motherhood, and staring at unfinished projects I haven’t touched in weeks. I know His grace is sufficient, but gratitude doesn’t always come easily when I feel unproductive.
Motherhood is the most important work I’ll ever do, but it doesn’t always feel that way. Some days, it seems like all I do is cook, clean, and play with my baby, while the weight of unfulfilled desires keeps piling up. I find myself wondering, How do I rest in Your grace, Lord? I start to believe I’ll never reach my goals. Yet, when I lay those questions before Him, I hear: Lay them at My feet. Trust Me. Rest in Me. Find joy and fulfillment in Me. I groan—because I don’t want to rest. I want to go, move, and work. But God keeps calling me to surrender, reminding me that He will prepare my goals in His timing and for His glory. Right now, my focus is clear: steward what’s right in front of me.
Every viral reel tells us, “These baby days go by so fast,” and it’s true. Yet I struggle to always live with that mindset. Babies bring our busy lives to a sudden stop. Motherhood requires a pace I never would’ve chosen for myself. But maybe God designed it that way—to protect us from blazing past these precious moments in pursuit of endless ambitions.
Through this slowing down, He’s also pointing out places in my heart I’d rather ignore. One of those is ambition. Godly ambition is good, but selfish ambition leads to “disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16). While my drive isn’t evil, I’ve realized that in chasing all my goals at once, I often forget to ask whether they’re what God actually wants me to pursue. Now, with motherhood anchoring me to a role of daily service, I have to choose wisely.
Even with just one child, the day can feel rushed—meals, chores, diaper changes, playtime—and that’s before I even think about pursuing a hobby. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but I’ve realized something crucial: I have to move from a place of rest. And by rest, I don’t just mean physical rest (though that matters, too). I mean spiritual rest. Before I do anything else, I need to bring my plans to the Lord in prayer and spend time in His Word. It’s in those quiet moments of surrender—when I pour out my frustrations, fears, and unfulfilled desires—that the peace of God truly guards my heart.
When I start my day this way, I notice a shift. I can step into chores or hobbies without guilt or pressure, because I know God is the one establishing my steps. Even if I only get ten minutes in the garden or a short burst of creative work, I feel peace instead of striving. Conversely, I notice a lack of patience, endurance, and general unsettledness in my spirit when I don’t have this time with God.
I’m learning to believe that God cares about my hobbies. They might feel small, but He gave me those desires, and He can use them for His glory—maybe not on my timeline, but in His perfect timing. My role is to trust Him, rest in Him, and follow His lead.
James 4:13-15 reminds us of this truth:
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will do this or that.'”
Humbling ourselves before the Lord in this way allows us to release the weight of unfulfilled desires. It puts the ball in God’s court to lead us as He desires, covering us in perfect peace. It’s a reminder that we are not navigating this season on our own—He will guide us every step of the way.
If you came here looking for practical ways to keep up with your hobbies while caring for little ones, I’ll be honest—I don’t have it all figured out yet. I’m still learning as I go. But I can share a few things that have helped me so far:
Keep trying. Even if it feels impossible, don’t give up. Keep showing up for your hobby, even in small ways, and pay attention to where you feel peace about it.
Bring your child along. It might only be 10 minutes or half an hour, but consistency adds up. Over time, even small chunks of effort make a difference.
Use tools that make it easier. A playpen or baby carrier has been a lifesaver for me when working outside. I’m also planning to build a stakeable outdoor playpen so my little one can stay nearby and safe while I garden.
Involve them. Depending on the hobby, I’ll give my daughter something safe she can “work on” alongside me. She feels included, and I usually get a little more focused time.
These aren’t perfect solutions, but they’ve helped me make progress without feeling like I’m neglecting my responsibilities as a mom.
I hope this post has encouraged you—even just a little—to know that you’re not alone in this struggle. Balancing motherhood with the parts of yourself that aren’t “mom” can feel really hard. But I know the Lord cares about every part of who we are. He’s shaping us for His glory and faithfully leading us in the way we should go.
Whatever talents He has given you, He will bring them to life in His timing if you trust Him and keep following His lead—one step at a time.
I’d love to hear from you below: What wisdom has helped you in this struggle? Do you need prayer? Do you have questions? Let’s encourage one another in this season.