Dealing with the realities of breast cancer can be pretty unnerving for even the most optimistic individual. Many women, who are used to feeling a sense of control in their lives, find the uncertainty of a diagnosis frustrating and frightening. It’s important both mentally and physically to find ways to take back some control, and one great way to do this is to find a hobby you love.

As children, most of us knew how to let go. We could spend hours lying on our backs watching clouds, riding our bikes, playing make-believe, building forts or playing dress-up. Time lost its meaning because we were carefree and able to live in the moment. As we got older and took on adult responsibilities, that “permission slip” to just relax and feel happy-go-lucky may have gotten lost – or locked away with our childhood toys.

Whether you are in the midst of treatment, learning how to navigate in your new normal once treatment is done – or a long term survivor just trying to stay healthy – there is no shortage of possible diversions. 

Go it alone, or get together

A hobby can be something you do alone, like creating jewelry, or something you do with a group like community theater. It can be a quiet activity like painting or physically challenging like dancing or mountain biking.

Think you’ve already exhausted ideas for a possible hobby and haven’t been able to find something that feels like a good fit? Think again! If you roll your eyes when someone mentions knitting, or fall asleep when a friend talks about their stamp collection, there is hope for you yet. Perhaps you’ll find your niche by getting interested in astrology. Or maybe you would enjoy collecting vintage clothing. Don’t just want to collect clothing? One woman likes to take cut-outs from vintage clothing and sew them onto jeans so she can create a look that is uniquely her own.

Ballroom or modern dance not your cup of tea? Try reaching a little further from your own “normal:” How about learning how to belly dance instead? One woman collects holiday themed underwear! Stranger still is another who decided she would highlight all words in everything she ever reads that end in ‘tion’ (remember, we told you there is a hobby for everyone)!

Activism can light your spark

Many survivors decide to become involved in the fight to fund breast cancer research and support. Sometimes this can lead to a brand-new, never-tapped hobby or desire lurking in your heart.

Breast cancer survivor Lillie Shockney discovered a unique hobby many women may not have considered. “I began doing fundraising/awareness events with a female motorcycle club called Leather & Lace back in 2001,” says Shockney. “I had never been on a bike before. As time went by and I did more and more of these events with them, my interest in biking became a desired passion. While doing a breast cancer awareness event at a Harley-Davidson dealership, I decided to sit on a few bikes and at the end of the day when my husband returned to pick me up, I said, “Guess what? We are about to own a motorcycle!” I got a 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic touring bike! We had to trailer it home since neither of us could drive it. In less than 10 years we have put nearly 60,000 miles on it.

“I refer to the bike as ‘The Therapist.’ The sense of freedom, the wind on my face, and sitting close to my husband feels wonderful. We have headsets inside the helmets to talk to one another. Since we are sitting in a spooning position it results in no ability to have eye contact, which, ironically enough, allows for a greater sense of freedom to open up and talk with one another. Music playing in our headsets too! I return from a ride and feel at peace.”

Your happy place

When you focus on doing something you really enjoy, it’s easy to lose track of time. This stress-free place allows your body to find a healthy balance which can be very healing. Alice Domar, director of the Mind/Body Center for Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School says, “Hobbies provide a calming sense of control, and research suggests this strengthens immunity. You may have little say about what is happening in your world, but when you’re involved with a hobby, you get the satisfaction of spending time doing something you enjoy.”

Another breast cancer survivor, Ellyn Davidson, found that blogging helped her to not only stay in touch, but to get in touch with her feelings. “When I was first diagnosed, I needed a way to keep everyone informed of everything going on in my life. Blogging started as a way for me to do this. After a short time, I realized that blogging really helped me focus on all the positive points in my life. While I would write about actual stories and experiences that weren’t so great, I would typically try to find a funny or good angle for the blog to keep my writing upbeat. I found that once I was done writing, I would actually focus more on the positive points. Throughout my entire diagnosis and treatment, I would look for things to write about and actually looked forward to posting my next blog. In fact, I would often come home from chemo or a surgery and write about my day. Now that I am past the days of chemo and surgery, writing helps me to feel empowered and educated. I’m always looking for thought-provoking topics and interesting angles. Writing also makes me feel like I can make a difference in other people’s lives, which is empowering.”

For the past six years, breast cancer survivor Beverly Booth has been pursuing her passion for Dragon Boat racing. “I’m on a breast cancer awareness team, so we have survivors and supporters involved,” says Booth. “Instead of sitting around in a room we take this group on the water. The exercise is nice, but for me the thrill comes by bringing other women in and introducing them to the sport. It’s great to show someone there is life after breast cancer. We are thriving and surviving. I love to tell people, ‘We don’t row because that means you are looking back – we paddle, so we are always looking forward!”

If you’re ready to look forward with a new hobby (or re-ignite an old one), there are lots of ways you can get started exploring. Even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you can investigate a variety of activities before you choose one to pursue. Here are some first steps.

• Think back. Ponder your childhood. What did you love to do then? Was it swimming? Coloring? Baking cookies with your Mom? Ask yourself if those things could be enjoyed as an adult. (Of course they could!)
• Make a map. Sarah Ban Brethnach’s book, Simple Abundance, gives a wonderful lesson about creating your “personal treasure map.” Take a moment to gather up some old magazines, and grab a pair of scissors and a blank piece of paper. Breathe deeply, try to clear your mind of its everyday clutter and stress, and just turn the pages of the magazines. If a picture or headline speaks to you, cut it out. You can have fun gluing your finds on the paper to make a collage. This is your treasure map. Take it out often. Something there may speak to you and point the way.
• Volunteer. It’s a common refrain – if you want to be part of something, get involved. Maybe acting is your long-time wish, but you’re not ready to dive in and audition just yet. The local theater might need your help in other ways, which will introduce you to its people and processes, and might even reveal that you’re very talented in ways you never knew!
• Grab a friend. First-time jitters can be eased if you take a friend along. Try a watercolor class, then go have lunch. Or – if you have a friend who’s a competition-level expert, ask her to coach you. Having a friend by your side will double your fun.
• Explore online. There are “types of hobbies” quizzes online, as well as articles about every topic imaginable. Learn all you can. The Internet is infinite!

Whether it’s yoga, crossword puzzles, Indian cooking, playing the guitar, juggling, bell ringing, bonsai trees, knotting (yes there are people who tie knots as a hobby), making and flying kites, or even yodeling – your hobby is about you. If it makes you feel good and takes your mind off your worries – go for it!

Share what you do! Knitters, scrapbookers, Lindy-hoppers, bottle-cap collectors, bird watchers... all hobbyists are welcome in our Discussion Forum... tell us about your favorite pastime.