Taking up a hobby as an adult that is traditionally started as a child?

[MummyTummy]

Has anyone done this?

I need a hobby. The last of my hobbies I gave away just before I got pregnant with DS, (I was ready to give them away and not ready to go back right now) and I'm now finding that I've lost myself. All I am is Mum at home and then employee at work and I have nothing that is just mine, just for me without interruptions.

I do like crafty things, but with limited space and two small children around I just can't give it the attention I want to. And it also means constant interruptions because I'm there.

So I would like to find something that a) gets me out of the house and b) is appointment based so that I have to go and not procrastinate or get distracted.

So, two ideas - one is horseriding and the other is dancing (probably tap). I have tried picking up dancing before but found that even though I was in a beginners class, the rest of the class were people that learnt as a child and are now basically just refreshing. I'm an absolute beginner and so found i got left behind right from the start which disappointed and frustrated me. The only way around this is private lessons.

And horseriding, well, everything I find is based around the idea that I am researching somewhere for my child to go. There doesn't seem to be much for total beginner adults. I don't just want to go on trail rides, I want to learn. Again I think private lessons will be an option, but it gets kind of exxy if kept up long-term.

Has anyone else done this sort of thing? Can you tell me your experiences?

Has anyone got any other ideas? Please don't suggest local short courses, I've looked in to them and there isn't anything that particularly interests me around my area. But I am open to other suggestions!

[Little Chicken]

Where are you? My sister does adult ballet classes in Vermont.

[Ginger]

do you live in melbourne? i know of somewhere that does great adult riding lessons- group ones

[MummyTummy]

I am in Melbourne - NE Suburbs. Vermont isn't too far....

LC - Was she an absolute beginner in ballet?

[Little Chicken]

She did some as a teenager, do you want me to find out if they do beginner classes for adults?

[MummyTummy]

Yeah, sounds good! Thankyou!

[Smoke Jaguar]

I picked up horseriding (as in proper lessons) at age 24 and have been at it ever since I'm sure there are some schools you can try for private lessons. I'd start with private one on one lessons before going into group lessons (you need to learn something of an independent seat and arena etiquette before riding in a group). There should be some places around Plenty Valley, out of Diamond Creek, Hurstbridge, etc.
Otherwise, you could always take up Zumba and get some dancing, an outlet once a week and a friend-making activity all in one

[Cassius2]

do you live in melbourne? i know of somewhere that does great adult riding lessons- group ones

oohhh where is that?? i could so do that!

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

What about an art class?
I'd love to go and do horse riding


Sent from my iPhone, more than likely while I should be doing something else!

[MummyTummy]

Indie - don't feel silly about that! I think it is really admirable of you. Most people shrink with embarrassment and make excuses as to why they don't swim/swim well/avoid water any deeper than their big toe. You did it because you felt you had something to learn from it which is why any of us take up lessons in anything.

Zarava - Art class is a great idea, and one day I will! I'm not sure I would really get the enjoyment out of them that I am craving right now. I also think I personally need to do something that gets me moving. I sit at a computer all day at work so kind of feel like I need the blood to start pumping IYKWIM. I'll let you know how I go horse riding tomorrow. You must have places up your way that have them?

[MummyTummy]

For those wondering about horse riding, my lesson was fantastic! And not once did I feel like a nuffy for trying to learn at 'my age'! So if anyone thinks this might be something they would like to give a go to, I say go for it!!! There was even another lady there who was older than me having her second lesson! So definitely not alone taking up horse riding at this age!

[Smoke Jaguar]

Awesome, chick! Did you have the 3rd day DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness)? Keep us posted - maybe a separate thread about learning horse riding? If blogs had been invented when I started I woulda done one

[MummyTummy]

I sure did get the DOMS!!! I thought I was going to stiffen up tin-man style!!! But I'm feeling great again now! Ready for my next lesson on Saturday!

A blog is a great idea, I might just have to do that!

[krysalyss]

My friend recently took up swing dancing. She said it is a good workout and no need to have done dancing before. Also no need for a partner as they just pair you up and if there are too many girls they takes turns being the guy. Glad your horse riding went well!

[MummyTummy]

Can't remember if I mentioned it in this thread or not, but I did start swing dancing a number of years back with DH, in exactly that setting you describe, and we both loved it. I had to stop when I got pregnant with DS because of pelvic instability. We've never got back to it, but we've promised ourselves that one day we would, but we are keeping it as an activity to do as a couple.

But I absolutely recommend it to anyone! It is heaps of fun, low pressure, and fairly easy to learn. In fact I even looked up the class timetable earlier today and finally found a class I think we can make it to. Just have to arrange babysitters! Will talk to DH about it tonight....

Keep suggestions and experiences coming though, because I am sure there are people in the same boat as me that are after suggestions for new hobbies!

[MummyTummy]

Go-go dancing? I didn't know you could get lessons for that. It sounds like awesome fun though! Bollywood dancing is another I reckon I could give a go to!

Beema- you'll just have to hop on that Lear jet we keep talking about and come over and we'll go to ballet together!!!! And horseriding in the afternoon!

[Cranky Kitten]

I am loving this thread! Once this bub is born I am hoping to start kayaking, and have just started playing the flute as an adult beginner - thoroughly loving it, even if I am butchering Bridge over Troubled Water at the moment

I would love to start horseriding, have wanted to do it ever since I was a little kid, but am worried it'd be quite expensive. Maybe one of these days...

[MummyTummy]

Kayaking is a fantastic idea!! I did that in late high school and loved it. I'd completely forgotten about it!