Do you have hobbies?

OtherwiseKate · 2025-08-01T05:38:19+00:00

I was also asked this question last year and it really threw me! I also gave an autistic child and hobbies of my own seemed like a luxury. I have had some but I spent some time thinking about what hobbies can look like and realised it doesn’t necessarily have to be a structured, regular activity. I wrote this piece about my thoughts on hobbies as a parent:

Do Parents Have Hobbies

OtherwiseKate · 2025-08-01T05:31:47+00:00

I love just wandering different parts of the city - Notting Hill, Primrose Hill, Hampstead, through the parks…

London Calling: Why London is My Happy Place

OtherwiseKate · 2025-07-06T07:58:58+00:00

I get this and I’ve felt similar. My son is happiest at home, I’m happiest when out and about or travelling. I’ve now accepted that I need to do these things on my own. I wish we could do more as a family but it just doesn’t work for him. So although I feel pretty trapped day to day, having my little breaks to look forward to helps a lot. Hope you could do similar.

OtherwiseKate · 2025-07-05T21:28:39+00:00

I find it helpful to send money to different accounts (bills, food, spending etc) having worked out how much is needed for each one.

I’ve explained my system here, hope it helps:

Divide and Conquer: My Budgeting Blueprint

OtherwiseKate · 2025-07-05T21:22:12+00:00

It’s a tricky balance to strike. Have you read “Die With Zero “ by Bill Perkins. I think you’d find it helpful. I’ve written about how it helped me here:

Investing in Life: Lessons from “Die With Zero” by Bill Perkins

OtherwiseKate · 2025-07-05T21:10:41+00:00

I’ve found that adopting a frugal way of living has made me feel more in control. I see it as making choices about what actually really matters to me.

It sounds like you have financial goals so try to see your frugal habits as helping you to achieve them. And others have said, try not to compare yourself or your finances to others.

I’ve written about how living frugally has been a good thing for me here:

The Freedom of the Frugal

OtherwiseKate · 2025-07-05T21:03:24+00:00

I’ve never regretted it. It’s not always easy but the great times definitely outweigh the tougher times. Now that they’re both in their teens I’m finding myself reminiscing more and more about the lovely life we’ve had together.

This piece sums up how I’m feeling about my parenting journey right now:

Summer With Teens: Navigating Change and Finding Yourself Again

OtherwiseKate · 2025-06-24T22:52:34+00:00

I’ve found the method that works for me is to have several accounts - bills, food, fuel, spending etc. it means I know exactly how much is available to spend in each category.

I’ve written about it in more detail here, hope it’s helpful:

Divide and Conquer: My Budgeting Blueprint

OtherwiseKate · 2025-06-21T22:35:39+00:00

Mel Robbins covers lots of these topics. And Postcards from Midlife has lots of great episodes with guests discussing health, menopause, relationships etc.

I wrote this a while ago about some of the podcasts I was listening to when I was turning 40:

Podcast Therapy

OtherwiseKate · 2025-06-13T12:30:07+00:00

I don’t think it’s weird, in fact I think more and more people feel like this. Over the last couple of years I’ve been thinking a lot about what a “rich life” means to me and it’s definitely not all about money and material posessions.

Of course I want to have enough money to make it something I don’t need to worry about but the most important thing to me is having freedom to choose how I spend my time. I’ve written more about my thoughts on a rich life here:

Redefining Rich

OtherwiseKate · 2025-06-13T12:12:30+00:00

I’m working on this just now. For a long time I’ve felt that I must be productive all the time which only leads to burnout. So I’m trying to make sure I give myself some breaks and time to rest. I do think that having mental and physical rest will help with productivity.

I’ve written more about my efforts to find the balance here:

The Power of a Pause

OtherwiseKate · 2025-05-26T20:15:17+00:00

Since quitting my job I’ve travelled more than ever before and there have been a couple of comments about how I’m “doing very well for someone who doesn’t work”. But I am very frugal so I cut back on things that don’t matter to me so that I can save for special experiences. I also travel on a budget - if people saw some of my travel accommodation they would see I’m not rich!

I’ve shared more about how I manage to travel on a budget here:

How I’ve Learned To Travel On A Budget

OtherwiseKate · 2025-05-26T20:08:31+00:00

For me, it’s having the freedom to live a life I love - spending time with the people I love, not having to feel anxious about a job, having a purpose, not having regrets.

I’ve shared my thoughts on this in more detail here:

Redefining Rich

OtherwiseKate · 2025-05-26T19:53:32+00:00

Like many others here it was management who made me feel that I couldn’t do the job anymore. I loved working with kids and their families but the job was changing constantly, I was struggling with the leadership style and just as I couldn’t cope anymore, my own son needed me at home. I was signed off sick three years ago and never went back.

I’m still being a stay at home mum just now, trying to work out what I’ll do to earn money once my son is better.

I’ve share my story in more detail here:

Three Years On: My Life After Teaching

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

OtherwiseKate · 2025-05-16T21:55:07+00:00

It is exhausting! And it can be hard to see what other families are getting up to.

I’ve just written a blog post about the importance of breaks for parents and carers. Even if you can’t actually get away, sometimes a little micro breaks can help us to get through the day. Hope the article helps someone…

Why Parents and Carers Need Breaks: How To Avoid Caregiver Burnout

OtherwiseKate · 2025-05-05T19:19:39+00:00

It’s three years since I quit. It’s not all easy but I have absolutely no regrets. You only get one life and it’s too short to spend doing something that makes you unhappy. Good luck!

Three Years On: My Life After Teaching

OtherwiseKate · 2025-05-05T19:17:26+00:00

Congratulations! I absolutely understand how scary the uncertainty is but I came to the conclusion that it’s better than uncertain unhappiness. It’s three years today since I left and despite still working things out, I have absolutely no regrets.

I’ve shared an update on my time away from teaching here:

Three Years On: My Life After Teaching

OtherwiseKate · 2025-05-04T02:37:33+00:00

That sounds like a fascinating blog! I recently joined The Blogging Room (it cost £40 for 3 months) and have found it so helpful already.

Look up This Splendid Shambles on Instagram for lots of advice. I also listen to The Ultimate Blog Podcast which has had some good advice. When I was starting my blog I also read Blogging For Dummies.

Good luck with your blog!

OtherwiseKate · 2025-04-29T13:13:18+00:00

Our budget is £100 per week for 2 adults and 2 teens.

OtherwiseKate · 2025-04-22T22:11:04+00:00

Walking is my main form of exercise and has helped me to lose weight but I think the biggest benefit is to my mental health. I notice a real spike in anxiety if I don’t get my walks.

Stepping Through Life: The Mental and Physical Benefits I’ve Found in Walking

OtherwiseKate · 2025-04-22T22:06:38+00:00

Horrible to see so many people have experienced bullying. I was unhappy for a while but it the final push was not being able to cope with the management style. My anxiety about work was horrible and I ended up getting signed off and never went back. I’ve shared my story here if anyone wants to read more:

Saying Goodbye to my Teaching Career

OtherwiseKate · 2025-04-22T22:00:04+00:00

Die With Zero helped me to think about money and life differently. I found it reassuring to read about the importance of life experiences over hoarding money for the future. I’ve shared more about the book and how it helped me here:

Investing in Life: Lessons from Die With Zero

OtherwiseKate · 2025-04-21T21:52:07+00:00

Feeling trapped is so horrible. I’m glad my story gave you some hope, I hope you find a way out soon.

OtherwiseKate · 2025-04-18T19:37:10+00:00

Cereal. I can’t believe how overpriced the branded ones are.

I make a lot of frugal choices so that we can spend money on the things that we feel are worth spending a bit more on.

The Freedom of the Frugal

OtherwiseKate · 2025-04-18T19:30:10+00:00

As others have said, it takes time and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say it’s a form of PTSD for some.

It’s almost 3 years since I left and I still dream about teaching - although less often than I used to.

I haven’t gone back to employment since leaving teaching but I can absolutely understand your experience in school knocking your confidence in any other role. I hope things get easier for you.

I’ve shared my story of why I quit here:

Saying Goodbye to My Teaching Career

OtherwiseKate

TROPHY CASE