The Art of Hobbyness

The Hobby of Doing Nothing (And Why You Probably Need It)

Millennial women grew up being told to hustle, overachieve, and stay busy. But what if your most creative, grounded self is waiting in the pockets of time where you do absolutely nothing? Erin & Tam explore the link between quiet moments and creativity, the guilt millennial women feel around rest, and how stillness can help you reconnect with your identity beyond the to-do list.@theartofhobbynesswww.artofhobbyness.com

Finding Community Through Mahjong with Ali

Erin & Tam chat with Ali from Magpie Mahjong who, after moving to a new city, used mahjong as a way to find her people and eventually launch a tutoring business built on play and connection. We dive into how hobbies create space for belonging, how Ali grew from newcomer to community builder, and why connection is one of the most powerful forms of self-care for millennial moms.
@magpiemahjong
www.magpiemahjong.com
@bambirdboutique
www.bambirdboutique.com
 

Modernizing Mahjong for the Millennial Mom with Bam Bird Boutique

Erin & Tam sit down with Meredith and Robin of Bam Bird Boutique, two friends-turned-founders who transformed their shared love of mahjong into a beautifully creative tile company. We talk about the leap from hobby to business, how they bring modern design to a traditional game, and the intentional ways they protect the joy of play in the middle of it all.
www.bambirdboutique.com
@bambirdboutique

Cozy Game Hobbying with Tam

Tam shares how leaning into cozy gaming, especially Animal Crossing, became her nighttime ritual for relaxing, unplugging, and breaking the doom-scroll trap.
 
@theartofhobbyness
www.artofhobbyness.com

Longevity Through Movement with Mallory Ruth

Between the chaos of mom life and the chase for balance, movement can easily lose its joy. Erin & Tam are joined by Mallory Ruth, Founder of The Energy Up Collective, to explore how movement can become a nourishing hobby that grounds you, connects you, and helps you care for your future self with intention.
Links:
@malloryruthfit
www.malloryruth.com
@theartofhobbyness
www.artofhobbyness.com
 
 

Scroll-Free: The Hobby Way

It’s not about quitting your phone, it’s about choosing what really restores you. Erin & Tam talk about the pull of late night scrolling, the guilt that comes with it, and how simple, hands-on hobbies can bring more presence and peace into your days. 
 
Tips on stepping back from screens and starting a new hobby@theartofhobbynesswww.artofhobbyness.com

The Roots of Mom Guilt and How Hobbies Help

From the never-ending “shoulds” to the pressure to be everything to everyone, mom guilt runs deep. Erin & Tam explore where those expectations come from, why they hit millennial moms especially hard, and how reclaiming creative hobbies can help us find ourselves again. This isn’t about fixing everything overnight, it’s about making space for small moments of play, rest, and self-discovery in everyday life.
Article - How to move past ‘mom guilt’ in a world that thrives on it
@theartofhobbynesswww.artofhobbyness.com

Knitting The Rebellion

Sometimes the smallest stitches tell the biggest stories. Erin & Tam talk with Ashleigh-Ellan Kavanagh, a historian and writer who explores how knitting and embroidery have long been tools of identity, joy, and even resistance. From suffragette banners to slow stitching, they uncover how soft things, like yarn and care, can hold serious strength.
Threads:
@ashleighellan

The Hobby in the Hunt

What starts as a nostalgic thrift trip turns into a cozy hobby comeback. Tam shares her favorite finds, the story behind her sewing caddy restoration, and how secondhand shopping became a surprisingly playful form of self-care.
@theartofhobbyness
www.artofhobbyness.com

What Is “Millennial Hobby Energy”?

Why does one ball of yarn turn into 200? Why does a casual jog become marathon training? Erin & Tam unpack Anne Helen Petersen’s idea of Millennial Hobby Energy and how our hobbies can quickly spiral from small joys into all-consuming projects.
@theartofhobbyness
www.artofhobbyness.com
https://annehelen.substack.com/p/what-is-millennial-hobby-energy