About 18 months ago, I found myself standing at the edge of the empty-nest chapter of life, and let me tell you, it hit me hard. For years, I’d been in the grind—business, family, you name it. And then suddenly, my daughter was off living her fabulous life, and I was left wondering, What’s next for me? Was I just going to keep hustling until I dropped? Spoiler alert: No, ma’am. I decided it was time to start living in a way that actually brought me joy, not just checking off to-dos.
That’s when I realized I needed a joy practice—something that made me feel alive, creative, and playful. So, I did the only sensible thing for a grown woman to do. I took up adult tap dancing. Yep, you read that right. I went from empty-nesting to tapping my heart out including on stage in the year-end recital last year, and you better believe I’m gearing up for another one this spring. And let me tell you, I am loving every second of it.
But that’s just the beginning of what adult play has done for me.
Tapping Into Creativity (Literally and Figuratively)
When I decided to embrace adult play, it wasn’t just about staying busy. It was about reconnecting with things I used to love, but had let fall by the wayside because—well—life. I picked up my paintbrush again, and that feeling of creating something just for the fun of it reminded me of who I am outside of work. There’s something truly magical about making art for no reason other than that it brings you joy. It’s like tapping into a part of myself I’d forgotten existed.
And then came rekindling my love of needlepoint. I was a big cross-stitcher and needlepointer all the way back in college. Yes, I have always been creative and nerdy. Now, I’ll admit needlepoint supplies are a bit of a splurge, but let’s be real—I’m worth it. What started as a little hobby has turned into a full-blown obsession. I needlepoint daily now, and in the last couple of years I’ve cranked out 30 Christmas ornaments, almost a dozen pillows, and I’m just getting started on belts and loafers. Needlepoint has become this meditative practice for me—a moment to slow down, breathe, and stitch my way through unwinding from the day.
Mahjong Moxie: Finding My Squad
As if tap dancing and needlepoint weren’t enough, I took up Mahjong. I had been watching the Mahjong crave sweep the nation (and my social media feed) and decided to take the leap. But, like everything I do, it didn’t stop there. I got with my bestie, and together we rallied a group of eight fabulous women to form our own Mahjong squad—officially named Mahjong Moxie. Let’s pause for a second and appreciate that name, because it’s everything.
The definition of moxie that I adore? “Force of character, determination, or nerve.” And honey, if there’s one thing this group has, it’s nerve! These women have become my ride-or-die squad. We get together regularly to play, laugh, and challenge each other, but it’s so much more than that. These ladies are becoming the girls I take trips with, do community events with, and live my best life alongside. And of course, as the quote says, “When you’ve got moxie, you need the clothes to match.” Don’t worry, I’ve got that part covered too!
Why Adult Play and Hobbies Matter
Here’s the thing—before all of this, I was never that girl who needed friends. In fact, my daughter and husband used to joke that they were glad I didn’t like surprise birthday parties because they wouldn’t know who to invite! But something changed when I allowed myself to dive into adult play and hobbies. Not only did it pull me out of my workaholism (which I didn’t want to admit was as bad as it was), but it also opened the door to new friendships, creativity, and joy that I didn’t even know I was missing.
Having hobbies as an adult isn’t just about passing the time—it’s about reclaiming your time. It’s about doing things that light you up, not because they’re productive or profitable, but because they’re fun. I’ve always been a hard worker, but I realized that if I wasn’t careful, I’d just grind my way into the grave. Not happening. These hobbies have changed me at my core. I’m more present, more joyful, and more connected to the people around me than I’ve ever been.
So, if you’re sitting there wondering if adult play is worth the time, let me just tell you: Yes. Yes, it is. Whether it’s picking up a long-forgotten hobby, trying something totally new, or gathering a group of girlfriends to learn something together—do it. Your life will be richer for it. And who knows? You might just find your own squad along the way.
