Challenge

Relaxing Hobbies These Thrive Challenge Winners Do for “Me Time”

Whether you enjoy gardening, DIY or painting, take some time for yourself to get creative and unwind.
Elaine Lipworth

Elaine Lipworth

2 Min Read

When we’re busy with work and taking care of the family, it’s easy to neglect ourselves and get depleted. Scheduling time for a hobby or passion such as growing flowers or painting watercolors can be relaxing and creative, as well as shifting our mindset so we approach the rest of our lives with greater enthusiasm. And, at the very least, doing something we really enjoy has the power to take us out of our regular routine and provide some joy. 

Here’s how three of our winners tap into their creativity. 

  1. Do some DIY — have fun expressing yourself creatively and surprise yourself.

“I’m enjoying doing DIY projects around the house. I restored our decaying fireplace myself with beautiful mosaic tiles. I never knew that I could do this kind of project, and I discovered I can do anything that I put my mind to. It was very relaxing and pleasurable for me, some ‘alone time.’ We saved hundreds of dollars and it was a job well done. I received so many compliments, which boosted my morale. Also, it showed my three daughters that women can be as successful as men, when it comes to building and construction projects around the house and in work and life.”

––Fabiola Jean-Bart, Walmart Customer; Fredericksburg, VA; $5K Winner

  1. Tap into your inner artist: it’s relaxing, engrossing, and creative.

“I set aside time each weekend for my hobbies  — I love painting and sculpture. It’s time for me to be creative and do something I love. I just finished sculpting a turtle and a deer. I get lost in what I am doing while also unwinding, and I enjoy looking at what I’ve made.”

 —Garrett Reid, Walmart Home Office; Bentonville, AR; $5K Winner

  1. Do some gardening and relax in nature.

“I love gardening — I call my backyard my happy place. I love to grow flowers, I enjoy every aspect of yard work like watering and weeding, and taking care of my sunflowers — I’m a big sunflower person. Then it’s nice to relax, watching the birds. I have a bunch of bird feeders. I sit on my swing with my two dogs and my wind chimes.”

––Jana Wood, Supercenter #1418; Fallon, IL; $5K Winner

Author(s)

  • Elaine Lipworth

    Senior Content Writer at Thrive Global

    Elaine Lipworth is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster who has reported for a variety of BBC shows  and other networks. She has written about film, lifestyle, psychology and health for newspapers and magazines around the globe. Publications she’s contributed to range from The Guardian, The Times and You Magazine, to The Four Seasons Hotel Magazine,  Marie Claire, Harpers Bazaar,  Women’s Weekly and Sunday Life (Australia). She has also written regularly for film companies including Fox, Disney and Lionsgate. Recently, Elaine taught journalism as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University. Born and raised in the UK, Elaine is married with two daughters and lives in Los Angeles.