https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 02:48:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490971 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 17:38:47 +0000 MaryM 2490971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe look into meetup.com in your area?</p> <p>I run a sewing/knitting/crochet group, and probably 75% of the members are moms of young kids craving adult time and some accountability to finishing craft projects. </p> <p>The one I run only meets once a month, so it's not as overwhelming as the ones that meet weekly (or more). But it could be a good way for you to find something to commit to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490954 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 17:30:28 +0000 youboots 2490954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>First- I love you.<br /> Second- call me when you have down time 😘 I'm only kind of kidding.</p> <p>A few ideas- baking, adult coloring books, knitting, go do some photo walks (shoot some film), paint your finger nails and toes, take a bath (get a fancy face mask), download new music on iTunes, hand lettering practice, drink wine on your porch.</p> <p>Bleh sorry you are feeling down. ❤️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490947 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 17:24:48 +0000 FaithFertility 2490947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Read! Honestly I haven't in awhile, but need to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490943 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 17:23:24 +0000 Alba4 2490943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like yoga and reading. I'm going to learn how to crochet while on modified bedrest! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490702 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 15:35:42 +0000 littlejoy 2490702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: Your first paragraph speaks to me on a deep level. That's exactly it! Thank you for the encouragement &amp; tips. </p> <p>@littlebittyhouse: @LindsayLou: @Raindrop: Thanks for those lists of ideas! It's a great start!! </p> <p>My husband and I talked about making a big house to-do list. I find so much fulfillment in completing to-do lists, and often feel anxiety when I don't know where to start. I'm going to start knitting again (I LOVE knitting), but I'm also going to organize all of LO's old clothing for storage. I think I'll also do the method for tidying up (clutter is making me anxious). </p> <p>@snowjewelz: @avivoca: There's an author I love, and your advice made me research if she has any new work. That would be such a treat! </p> <p>@aprild: I don't know what I'd do without making time to workout. It's so good for mental &amp; physical health. Thanks for the tips! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490542 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 14:37:53 +0000 littlebittyhouse 2490542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Knitting and embroidery! I need both to quiet my brains! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490491 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 14:25:04 +0000 snowjewelz 2490491@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Read! I love reading during downtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490439 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 14:14:05 +0000 LindsayLou 2490439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Things I enjoy doing during downtime (but often don't make time to do):</p> <p>-reading<br /> -journaling<br /> -sewing/quilting<br /> -crochet<br /> -watercolor painting<br /> -baking<br /> -gardening<br /> -yoga </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490421 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 14:08:07 +0000 gingerbebe 2490421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sometimes its just hard to shut off your brain long enough to transition to me-time - there's like this anxiety that prevents me from doing so sometimes and I just feel like I have to gogogogo. Its why playing with your phone is easy because it feels like its relaxing, but its just another stimulating thing buzzing your brain and actually counterproductive.</p> <p>One thing that helps me is to ease into the me-time activity by scheduling it and automating it. For instance, let's say you will give yourself a 30 minute walk after lunch every day. Schedule it, create a ritual around it (grabbing a fresh mug of coffee or a cold drink), and then ease into it by listening to a podcast or an audiobook for 15 minutes, then walk in silence for 15 minutes. The audiobook and walking motion will "feel" busy, but its helping you ease into relaxing, and then the last 15 minutes in silence or with quiet music playing will help you become more present and relaxed. If there's bad weather, pick a backup activity in advance, like getting a manicure or walking around Target or going to Starbucks.</p> <p>My husband works for himself and he had to do a similar scheduled, ease-in routine in order to help him take that break. He started taking walks with podcasts and coffee, and then once it was in his daily schedule and routine, he eventually changed it to a jog, and he really looked forward to it. If there was inclement weather, he would lay on the living room floor and do some crunches and zone out staring at the ceiling, resting his lower back, and then take a long shower. Or he would go get a haircut and a coffee. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490411 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 14:03:53 +0000 avivoca 2490411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do a lot of reading and sewing. Right now it's more reading because I'm too tired to sew. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490404 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 14:00:06 +0000 psw27 2490404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Downtime... what's that? :silly: I don't have a lot these days, but I like to read, do yoga, read magazines, get a mani pedi. I'm training for a marathon so exercise is no longer down time for me, but that used to be a big part of my relaxing. . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490392 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:56:19 +0000 cat620 2490392@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I exercise about three times a week in the evenings after DH gets home, so he can watch the kids. I also have time to myself after the kids go to bed, and I usually watch TV or browse the internet. Occasionally, I'll have DH watch the kids for an afternoon on a weekend, so I can shop or go see a movie. I feel like raising two kids under three is exhausting, so I need breaks to keep myself from going crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490383 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:50:59 +0000 lamariniere 2490383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in a similar situation to you. I am self employed, working out of my home and have been crazy busy the last few weeks (10 hour days, almost every day and weekend work too). When I do find downtime I don't know what to do with it! I actually made myself pause today and had coffee with a friend, which was great since I have very few adult conversations during the week, other than with my DH of course. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490344 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:31:22 +0000 Tanjowen 2490344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I joined a local orchestra that practices one night a week and once LO is in bed I either binge watch a show, color, or if DH is home, take the dog for a quick run. On very stressful days I take a bubble bath with a couple of magazines and a glass of wine. </p> <p>I rarely have free time during the day, but if I do I go get a pedicure or some other form of pampering. Or go to Barnes &amp; Noble to drink coffee and read magazines. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490339 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:26:55 +0000 Raindrop 2490339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kudos to you for craving out time for yourself.</p> <p>I work on my hobby (sewing) and catch up on shows that DH doesn’t like watching. I usually do this at the same time. I wear headphones while sewing because sewing is sort of loud even though I have a quieter machine.</p> <p>It took me years to find a hobby though. I tried a lot of things and I still like them but sewing is my default. I also want to try other hobbies when the kids are older.</p> <p>I would suggest making a list of things for you try out!</p> <p>Things I have tried in the past</p> <p>Cross stitching – this is a lot of fun, I still try to do one a year<br /> Embroidery<br /> Knitting – I liked this but for some reason I couldn’t make anything more complex than a scarf and you can only gift so many scarves.<br /> Reading – I love reading actually I try to read something every week<br /> Pottery – so not good at this<br /> Marital Arts – I tried a bunch of different types, I did judo for 4 years but then life happened, not sure if I want to go back to this.</p> <p>When I have time I hope to try</p> <p>Yoga<br /> Pilates<br /> Woodworking – there is a woodworking workshop near where I live that seems neat, a young coworker of mine told me about it<br /> Metalworking – again there is a metalworking workshop near where I live<br /> Glass blowing<br /> Painting<br /> Maybe even going back to school for another degree – I like learning</p> <p>TL;DR Make a list, find something you like that makes you happy. ^_^ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-do-during-down-time#post-2490311 Thu, 10 Mar 2016 13:14:35 +0000 littlejoy 2490311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is a pretty personal post, but my gold expired, so here we go:</p> <p>I've been overwhelmed by anxiety that last few months. I was in a good place once I found time for exercise. Everything shifted back to total chaos when my schedule suddenly became super overwhelming. I work for myself full time, and while I obviously control my schedule, I am at the mercy of clients who take longer than I plan, and contracts to fulfill. For the last 2ish months, I've been working every day, every evening, and every weekend. I am so burnt out ... I'm depressed, and just so wound up. </p> <p>I am making some big shifts to fix this (taking less clients, and putting LO in school for longer hours, so I can have more dedicated work time (which will hopefully mean no more working during "life" time)). I'm really excited about this chance to breathe ... I need it. </p> <p>Now I feel like I absolutely have NO idea what to do during down time. Because I've been working during most of my waking hours, I've lost sight of "me time". What do you guys like doing during down time? I find myself defaulting to Instagram when I have a few minutes, and honestly, there's no joy in sitting on my phone. I need some hobbies! ;) Does anyone have tips on really being able to give into alone time, or even how to forget my to-do list when I do have time with LO? </p>