How many hobbies are too many?
Posted under Crochet, Photography
MrSpud casually reminded me last night that, 2 years ago, he told me I was hard to buy presents for because I didn’t have any hobbies (um, what? doesn’t diamond collecting count? OK….). Oh how times change!
Since October 2008, a smidge under 2 years ago, I have taken up photography, started blogging, learnt to crochet, bought a sewing machine and sewed a few bits and, recently, started cycling. Given my slightly obsessive personality type I have thrown myself in to all of them with huge enthusiasm (apart from sewing but that’s a space issue which will be resolved). I barely have time to breathe these days, since my days are consumed with my many hobbies.
As well as the hobbies I have to squeeeeeeze in working part-time, being the sole carer for the Megaboys during the week and being the usual washer woman/ironer/home administrator/wife/friend/daughter type thing. Stuff I don’t do (in the interests of full disclosure): clean, cook or garden. Recently I started going to the cinema every other week with a friend (Mummy Film Club), I’ve joined a choir (rehearsals start the week after next, hoorah), a 6 week cycling course starts in 3 weeks and I’m doing a monthly ‘women only’ bike ride. Oh and I’m a keen reader and like to snaffle my way through a novel or two a week.
Life is pretty full. So why, why, WHY am I consumed with the need…the overwhelming longing…to learn the lute. Yes the lute. Not the flute (I already play that). The lute.
We recently visited the wonderful Mistley Quay Workshops in search of lunch at the cafe. While we waited for our food I wandered around and peered in to the windows of the workshops….and there they were…LUTES..in the making. Beautiful lutes in every stage of development. And right there, right then the longing overwhelmed me. I have to play the lute.
I can’t think why I haven’t considered this before. I’m an avid admirer of early music, especially 17th century English music and John Dowland is right up there as one of my favourites. In ‘theory’ lute playing shouldn’t be horribly painful for me as I play the classical guitar (although very rusty) and tablature is not a mystery to me as a result. So…the music of the golden age for lute music is my best favourite….thus learning the lute shouldn’t be an appalling trial for me. What am I waiting for?
Well cost is an issue as lutes are seriously pricey. I’m getting around that by claiming one as my fast approaching 40th birthday present. But do I have the time? Seriously, can I find the time? My life is full, really full. And wonderful! I love all my hobbies, I love all the different people it brings me in to contact with. I feel like I have a perfect work/life balance. Learning a new instrument could seriously upset the balance and something will have to give to make time for it, but what? Considers ebaying Megaboys…
I know exactly how time consuming it is to learn an instrument. If I take up the lute it will be instrument number 10 for me, actually possibly 11. That’s a whole lot of lessons and scales and exams I’ve done. I even read music at university so I really do know what I’m letting myself in for. Hmmm.
Head says “no”. Heart says “yes”.
How many hobbies are too many?
It’s funny how leaving full-time employment opens up a whole new world of hobbies and interests.
You’ve GOT to give the lute a go.
Good grief woman I’m knackered reading this! Have you cracked the secret of the 28 hour day or are you an alien tourist to this world sampling all that we have to offer and never ever needing sleep? Must be one or the other.
Ok, I got stuck on ebaying the megaboys… let me place my bid right now…they are too beautiful. Wonder how they’d like Colorado?
Senses have returned, I love your passion for life and living Spud. I try to learn a new craft each year. Granted last year’s learning consisted of power tools in order to remodel our cabin, but that counts…Anyway, I say go for the lute! You look like a lutest (is that a word?) I rotate my hobbies seasonally. You probably won’t be biking much this winter, time to crochet and pick your lute! Besides think of the photo opportunities…what beautiful still-lifes you can compose..Picasso was big on stringed instruments…Can’t wait to meet yours. Happy early birthday Spud!
The lute? Sod it, go for it, why not?
…hang on, 10 instruments? The mind boggles.
I’m with Mrs W – I have no idea how you manage to fit everything in. I struggle with the thought of getting my fat arse off the sofa and to the gym three times a week – I don’t know how you cope with your many many different things to do!
I seem to be collecting hobbies at a rapid pace as well – as long as you are enjoying and having fun have as many as you want x
I know exactly how you feel – I’ve always had too many hobbies and interests. It makes life very frustrating, too little time, too much to try. Mine are all art/craft based on the whole. Quite interested in photography too. As you say, something has to give – quite possibly my sanity.
The lute is a beautiful instrument – like you, I love 17th century music – I had classical guitar lessons years ago, but don’t really have any natural talent in that direction and haven’t played for years.
oh my god i’m so envious of you, I wish I had the time, energy and head space to fit in as much as you do. I would say go for it!
You can never have too many hobbies. Read “Refuse to Choose” by Barbara Sher! And if you do take up the lute, I insist that you play for your bloggers who supported it.
LOL, I was totally contemplating this very thing yesterday before reading your post. I do the exact same thing when I get a new hobby. I throw myself in whole-hog and become badly obessesed with everything to do with it (google is your friend, after all) And then I exhaust myself out, and move on. This is one of the many many things I hate about myself. Balance is not a word I am familiar with (obviously :)
Ok-are we distant relatives of some sort? Maybe just kindred spirits… I too am a multi-hobbyist! I crochet, paper craft, blog, read, pine for a fancy camera, tat (that’s lace making), I’m a calligrapher, terrible but persistent sketched… I could go on…
because you started to crochet some time ago i bought some yarn recently and started my first granny square. but I am soooo impatient! I envie all your lovely squares!
you simply must learn the lute. it’s a given. and you’ll find a way to fit it in…
of course you should learn the lute! surely there’s no thing such as too many hobbies?!