I have helped with MIL for years, I never really had time for myself. In the summer, I had a few plants and flowers in pots.
I like to walk but it is difficult in the winter. A friend suggested volunteering but I need a break and need to focus on myself.
Are there any suggestions on hobbies?
I also found old newspaper clippings that were interesting to read due to the way reporters wrote back then. Such as, women were only identified by their husband's names. So different from today's reporting.
The family tree filled a lot of time, 4 years, but well worth it. I had found around 4,000 people on my father's side, but that included numerous generations where it wasn't unusual for a family living in a farming community to have between 12-20 children, and those children to have between 6-12 children. If one moved to the big city, it was usually 0-4 children. As one branches out more and more people.
Found a couple of outlaws in the family for cattle rustling, and bootlegging :)
Then I started working on family trees for relatives, and giving the information as gifts. One person who married into the family, I got back to the 1400's in England. The U.K. had excellent record keeping. Other old countries did not.
As for volunteering, I get that you need time for myself. My husband suggested I start doing Meals on Wheels since "you've got so much experience with old people." Yeah, no thanks. I'd like to do something that doesn't involve dealing with old people for a while.
However, if you're a reader, volunteering at your local library (eventually) is a great thing to do. You find out about all the latest books first, and it's just fun to interact with people who also love to read. Not every volunteer job has to involve helping the downtrodden, so if you're inclined to get out and interact with others, consider being a docent at the local museum or volunteering at your library.
I read your replies in your other post about your husband not dealing with the situation well and that he wanted to be alone. How is your husband? How is your marital relationship? Perhaps, you both can work on healing and improving your marriage. Doing things together, going out to dinner, taking mini vacations, etc.
After a good break, you can look for a job if you want to work, or take a class for fun, or volunteer if you want.
The next chapter of your life is full of potential. I'm paraphrasing a quote from a therapist, what are you going to do between now and the day you die? Make it count.
MJ, my friend also suggested volunteering at a elderly facility. I said hell no, I can not do it.
Ancestry may be fun.
I love wedding cake and would like to learn how to make and decorate them.
If you don't want commit to a regular schedule, many have monthly, quarterly, or annual sales and need help with setup, sales, and takedown.