Hobbies for military wives – why are they so important?
Hobbies for military wives are so important. It can be a form of self-care, a way to refocus energy, and a creative outlet for emotional expression. It can also...
Being a military spouse isn’t always easy, especially with the moving, deployments, and often living apart. Living off-base, I realised how isolating it could be without that built-in support network. My husband’s deployments and the constant adjustments meant handling a lot on my own. At times, the loneliness, worry, and pressure would settle in, and I felt like I needed something solid to lean on.
One day, while wandering through a charity shop, I found a knitting Nancy, like the ones we used as kids. Knitting had always been tricky for me, but I thought, why not give this simpler approach a go? Soon enough, I found myself exploring “no needles knitting” techniques, turning something from childhood into my go-to hobby. With a bit of online searching, I found more styles to try, and my no needles knitting projects became a steady comfort during the solo stretches.
How no needles knitting made me feel whole again
The projects I completed weren’t just scarves or hats; they were little pieces of joy and focus in my routine. I started choosing eco-friendly yarns, inspired by my goal to be as sustainable as possible. It felt right to create things with purpose—especially knowing I was crafting in a way that aligned with my values.
No-needles knitting became my personal accomplishment, filling the space that deployments and military life sometimes leave empty. Each project I completed brought a sense of pride, and, surprisingly, it boosted my confidence. Wearing something I’d made, or even gifting these pieces to friends, made me feel connected and appreciated in a very different way.
Why hobbies matter for military spouses
I had this this conversation the other day. It is sometimes hard to get out of a lowness that you are in because it feels all encompassing, but when you think about it, doing something for you can mean so much.
Hobbies can offer military spouses that bit of personal time, something that is purely our own. With each piece I create, no needles knitting reminds me that even when life feels uncertain, I can still create something meaningful. It’s become a vital part of my well-being. Learning a new skill like this can be challenging, but the pride and accomplishment that come from sticking with it make it all worthwhile.
Through my experiences, I hope to encourage other military spouses to find hobbies that resonate with them. Having something to look forward to, even in small moments, is invaluable. Whether it’s knitting, photography, or anything else that calls to you, hobbies are our chance to find ourselves—no matter where military life takes us next.
