53 ways to find yourself { outside of motherhood }

Sometimes you just need a swift kick in the pants to get out there and try something new, right? Getting out of your comfort zone can be really challenging when we've settled into the crazy and complicated world of parenting. But I'm here to tell you, you need to!


Remember how we talked about the 5 reasons you need something outside of parenthood? Parenthood sometimes sucks every bit of life from you. It's an amazingly rewarding pursuit and one to treasure, but it shouldn't be all that you are, but a part of the whole you. And here at The Acting Mom, I am about helping you find and nurture all parts of you!


Let's expand on that today and push you to start something new! Here are 53 ideas to get you thinking outside of your day-to-day grind and thinking in a new direction.

Tiffany Bagwell Photography

1. Go out for dinner with friends.
2. Start a book club.
3. Visit a local art museum.
4. Join a gym.
5. Sign up for a 1/2 marathon.
6. Go on a bike tour.
7. Scrapbook your honeymoon.
8. Take an adult piano lesson.
9. Buy a fashion accessory you never thought you could do.
10. Sleep under the stars in your backyard.
11. Go for a walk at a new park.
12. Volunteer at a homeless shelter.
13. Attend a Bible study (or another religious event) at a new church.
14. Buy a new cookbook.
15. Try being a vegetarian for a week.
16. Watch a documentary.
17. Do a pub/restaurant crawl with your husband.
18. Start a month long project and stick to it.
19. Write a letter to an old friend and mail it.
20. Visit a new city.
21. Attend a symphony.
22. Bring cookies to your local fire department.
23. Try your hand at growing an herb garden.
24. Visit the beach, alone.
25. Plan a mom's night out.
26. People watch with notepad and write what you observe makes people happy.
27. Go rock climbing.
28. See a local live theatrical production.
29. Grab your camera and take unique photos of your town's downtown.
30. Visit a local vineyard and sample some wine.
31. Try your hand at knitting.
32. Start a blog.
33. Enter a contest.
34. Get a new haircut. 
35. Take a swing dancing class.
36. Paint or make your own pottery.
37. Check out a calligraphy book from the library and try your hand at it.
38. Teach a Sunday School class.
39. Sign-up to be an independent consultant with a direct selling company.
40. Work on reducing your environmental impact.
41. Find a local culinary class.
42. Take a weekend away from your family and "find yourself."
43. Try a complicated culinary feat, like a crown of lamb.
44. Attend a carnival/fair by yourself.
45. Plan a dream vacation, chronicling all the details.
46. Write a children's book.
47. Buy a hammock and create a backyard oasis.
48. Visit the circus.
49. Paint a painting.
50. Take a voice lesson.
51. Throw a chocolate sampling party.
52. Host a clothing swap.
53. Try a new shade of lipstick.



These might seem like random endeavors, but they are all about one thing: getting out of the norm. Trying something different will get you thinking about YOU. How you feel in new circumstances. What you like. What you hate. So often we think about what the kids like and are comfortable with that we aren't really in tune with our own feelings and likes.

Time to stop that and discover what you like! What are you going to try first?

p.s. Want to know how fashion can make you a better mom 
or tips for finding YOUR non-mom identity?