Wordless Wednesday – Heading to Mordor
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Filling the Void: Why Hobbies Matter More Than We Realize
Last September, everything changed for me. One minute I was out living my life on two wheels—spending my days riding through winding mountain roads and chasing sunsets, feeling the hum of the engine under me like a second heartbeat—and the next, I was laid up in a hospital bed trying to wrap my head around what life was going to look like without motorcycles in it.
And let me tell you, that was not an easy pill to swallow.
The Loss of a Passion
For years, motorcycling wasn’t just a hobby. It was the hobby. Every summer, I carved out a couple of weeks to hit the open road. I’d toss my gear on the back, map out a loose itinerary, and just… go. That kind of freedom is hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it—there’s a rhythm to it, a meditative quality. It clears your head in ways yoga never quite managed to do for me (though, full respect to anyone who can hold crow pose without face-planting).
But since the accident and the two surgeries that followed, motorcycling has been benched. Permanently. And suddenly I found myself facing this weird, echoing silence where there used to be something loud and exhilarating. It’s not just the absence of the bike itself, but the routine, the identity, the escape. It felt like a part of me got shelved.
All Work and No Play…
So what do you do when your primary outlet vanishes overnight? For me, the default was to throw myself into writing. And I’ve actually been cranking out more words than I have in years. That part’s been great—don’t get me wrong—but it also tipped my balance way too far in the direction of “doing stuff that feels productive.” Which is fine, until you realize you’ve become the human equivalent of a colorless spreadsheet.
I kept thinking of that old quote—“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Except now it’s Roger. A very focused, slightly twitchy, occasionally insomniac Roger.
Rediscovering the “Just Because” Things
I used to play the piano. Not concert-hall level or anything—more like “where is that horrid noise coming from?” level. But it’s been sitting there collecting dust ever since the accident. Same with my camera. I don’t even know if the battery’s charged.
It’s funny how the things we enjoy for no particular reason at all—the just-for-me things—are the first to get pushed aside when life gets hard. And yet, those are often the things that make life feel full. Writing has been good for my sense of purpose, but hobbies… hobbies are good for the soul.
Why Hobbies Matter (Even If You Think You Don’t Have Time)
Here’s the thing: hobbies are not a luxury. They’re a necessity. They give our brains a break, shake us out of our usual routines, and remind us that we’re allowed to experience joy for its own sake. There doesn’t need to be a goal or a deadline or an output. You don’t need to monetize it or post it to Instagram. You can literally paint stick figures in watercolor and call it art. That counts.
Hobbies also help us process grief and loss in sneaky, roundabout ways. They create new paths when old ones have been blocked. For me, writing helped bridge that gap. But now I’m realizing it’s time to start widening that bridge. Maybe I’ll pick out a new song to learn on the piano this week. Maybe I’ll finally take that walk with my camera, just to see what catches my eye. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be something.
A Little More Play, Please
If you’re like me and you’ve been stuck in “productive mode” for too long, I’m gently nudging you—no, strongly encouraging you—to carve out a little time for something that doesn’t require an end result. Start a puzzle. Build a model spaceship. Dance in your kitchen like you’re the understudy in a Broadway musical no one asked for.
Just do something that reminds you how it feels to have fun.
And hey, if you’ve made it this far—yes, I’m finally using section headings! Several people (you know who you are) told me my posts were a bit of a chore to read without them. So here we are. Chopped it up. Gave your eyeballs a break. You’re welcome.
Let me know in the comments what hobbies are getting you through. Or what you’re hoping to pick back up. Misery may love company, but honestly? So does creativity.
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Trying Again Tomorrow (and Maybe Eating a Cookie First)
Okay, so you know how some quotes just hit you in the gut and then gently pat your back while whispering, “Hey, it’s fine. You’re doing your best”? That’s how I feel about this one by Mary Anne Radmacher: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says ‘I’ll try again tomorrow.’” And honestly? This has been one of my all-time favorite quotes for years. I’ve scribbled it on sticky notes, posted it above my desk, even stuck it in a journal like some kind of emotional lifeline for the days when life felt like a broken vending machine—loud, uncooperative, and refusing to give me my dang peanut M&M’s.
What I love most is that it flips the whole idea of courage. Like, we grow up thinking brave means swords and speeches and maybe a dramatic orchestral score, but honestly? Sometimes it’s just brushing your teeth at 11:58 PM after a full-on flop of a day and deciding not to give up entirely. That’s a different kind of fierce. A quieter kind, but no less gritty.
You know who totally embodies this vibe? Frodo Baggins. I mean, yeah, he had some roar-y moments, but a lot of his bravery came in the quieter scenes. That kid walked across Middle-earth barefoot (rude, honestly), carrying the world’s worst mood ring, and STILL kept going. Even when he was dehydrated, traumatized, and had Gollum whispering nonsense in his ear, he didn’t quit. Courage didn’t roar. It limped, wheezed, and mumbled, “Let’s just get to the next rock.”
Same energy with The Pursuit of Happyness—Will Smith (and his real-life son, which makes it extra emotionally spicy) plays a struggling single dad who basically eats rock bottom for breakfast every day. There’s that moment in the subway bathroom where he clutches his son while pretending it’s a game, and my soul just cracks. He’s not screaming. He’s not punching walls. He’s just hanging on, telling himself that tomorrow, he’ll try again. And spoiler alert: he does.
Even animated films get it. Inside Out was basically a quiet manifesto for this quote. Joy spends most of the movie trying to be loud and bright and perky (relatable), but it’s Sadness who teaches us that sitting with hard feelings is sometimes the most courageous thing you can do. Letting yourself cry and still showing up the next day? That’s peak bravery, in my opinion.
And don’t even get me started on books. Have you read Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman? Eleanor isn’t out there saving the world, but she is trying to function in a society that hasn’t been particularly kind to her. Every chapter is this slow burn of someone deciding, over and over, that maybe life is worth showing up for. Even if she has no idea how to do it right. (Spoiler: none of us do.)
So yeah. The next time your brain tries to tell you that you’re only brave if you’re loud or fearless or charging into battle with a flaming sword and a six-pack (of abs, not beer), just remember: sometimes the bravest thing you can do is whisper “I’ll try again tomorrow,” while wrapped in a blanket with a pint of rocky road and mascara streaked halfway down your cheek.
Trying again tomorrow doesn’t mean you failed today. It means you’re still in it.
The Golem’s Guardian – A perfect beach read!
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Weekly Roundup for July 12, 2025
This week’s roudup is gonna be a short one—think espresso shot, not grande latte—mostly because I’ve got not a whole lot to report and I’m trying (trying being the key word here) to stay focused and not let the siren call of summer sunshine drag me away from my desk. Easier said than done, right? Every time I glance out the window, the grass looks greener and my to-do list looks… optional.
BUT! I did get a new toy—er, I mean tool. I finally pulled the trigger on a new eReader from Boox. It just arrived and I haven’t had time to really dig into it yet, but first impressions? Pretty snazzy. Super crisp screen, nice feel in the hand, and just enough buttons and settings to make me feel like I’m operating a gadget from a 1930s sci-fi serial. Which is fitting, because yes, I’ve clearly been marinating in 1930s slang lately—this thing is the cat’s pajamas, the bee’s knees, and maybe even the elephant’s eyebrows. (Too far?) Full review coming soon-ish on the blog once I’ve lived with it long enough to find its quirks and joys.
Oh, and while I have your attention – have you checked out “The Golem’s Guardian” yet? If you haven’t gotten your hands on a copy, you can snag one HERE. I’m still pretty excited about how that one turned out.
Some Things I Thought Were Worth Sharing
My author friends may find this article of interest: The Tools Have Changed, but Your Voice Still Matters https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/05/the-tools-have-changed-but-your-voice-still-matters/
This definitely seems like a film worth watching: Tommy Dorfman’s Tender Directorial Debut ‘I Wish You All the Best’ Promises a Heartfelt, Hilariously Honest Coming-of-Age Tale https://gayety.com/tommy-dorfmans-tender-directorial-debut-i-wish-you-all-the-best-promises-a-heartfelt-hilariously-honest-coming-of-age-tale
I don’t know how this LGBT reality show on Netflix escaped my attention (prob because I hate reality tv): In defence of ‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love’ and its straight host https://xtramagazine.com/culture/he-ultimatum-queer-love-host-straight-274808
Compelling images of abandoned classic cars: During Our Exploration Of Abandoned Factory, We Were Surprised By Unexpected Finds Of Classic Cars https://www.boredpanda.com/abandoned-factory-cars-portugal-the-yellow-jackets-msn/
My writer friends may find this article by Johnny B Truant of interest: We’re Entering the Age of the Artisan Author https://johnnybtruant.substack.com/p/were-entering-the-age-of-the-artisan
An article for my indie author friends: 10 Tips for Self-Published Authors to Get More Book Reviews https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/10-tips-for-self-published-authors-to-get-more-book-reviews/
Washington Blade’s short interview with Doug Spearman from Noah’s Arc https://www.washingtonblade.com/2025/07/03/doug-spearman-noahs-arc/
This LGBTQ+ travel company’s mission of inclusivity is radical & ‘You’re more than welcome’ https://www.advocate.com/business/vacaya-inclusive-lgbtq-vacations
Looking for something to watch? Here’s the gayest movie & TV trailers that dropped in June 2025 https://www.queerty.com/watch-the-gayest-movie-tv-trailers-that-dropped-in-june-2025-20250630/
My writer friends may find this article on POV of interest: Choose a Powerful Foundation for Your Story https://writersinthestormblog.com/2025/05/choose-a-powerful-foundation-for-your-story-part-two/
The Best Entries Into The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards https://www.boredpanda.com/comedy-wildlife-photography-contest-finalists-2023-msn/
My author friends might find this article about sharing of interest: None of Your Business: Why Writers Shouldn’t Feel Obligated to Share Too Much https://lithub.com/none-of-your-business-why-writers-shouldnt-feel-obligated-to-share-too-much/
Some of these are quite incredible: Unbelievable Wildlife Moments Frozen In Time By This Photographer https://www.boredpanda.com/captivating-wildlife-photography-munish-palnaiappan/
Writers and readers may find this article about ‘big books’ of interest: Is Summer Actually the Season for Reading Big, Thick Books? https://lithub.com/is-summer-actually-the-season-for-reading-big-thick-books/
My author friends may find this of value: “Please Keep Caring.” What John McPhee Taught Generations of Writers and Journalists https://lithub.com/please-keep-caring-what-john-mcphee-taught-generations-of-writers-and-journalists/
Weekly Roundup for July 12, 2025 Read Post »