335: My Grandma Hobbies Era

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This week on The Crystal Paine Show, I want to talk about something that has unexpectedly changed my life this year – what I jokingly call my “grandma hobbies era.” When I first shared that phrase online, it stirred up more feelings than I ever expected. Some people really loved it, but some were really bothered by it. For me, it’s a playful way to describe something deeply meaningful: choosing activities that slow me down, calm my body, and help me feel present again!

Two years ago, if I had heard myself talking about puzzles, watercoloring, baking, or crocheting a scarf, I probably would have thought something had gone very wrong. Back then, my life was full of adrenaline, constant urgency, and never-ending to-do lists. I didn’t realize how tightly I was living until I started to loosen my grip, and with the encouragement of my functional medicine doctor, I began intentionally creating space – working fewer hours, building in white space, and letting go of the need to always be “on,” and in that space, I found myself drawn to simple, creative things that didn’t demand anything from me other than just my attention.

Listen in this episode as Jesse and I open up honestly about what it has been like to step out of fight mode and learn how to rest, and I share how scary it felt to reduce my work hours as the CEO of a company, how much anxiety that stirred up, and how it revealed an idol of control that I hadn’t even realized I had. I also share the surprising ways that God met me in that place – financially, emotionally, and spiritually – when I ultimately chose to trust instead of hustle.

Jesse and I also talk about what it feels like when your calendar finally has breathing room, when your to-do list doesn’t fill the page, and when people start to feel like opportunities instead of interruptions. We laugh about puzzles, sourdough, and my very flexible relationship with recipes, but even more than that, we talk about what it means to live from a calmer place and show up more fully to the people and work we love!

Please tune in this week, especially if you are tired, running on adrenaline, or craving a slower, richer way to live. Maybe it’s time to find your own version of a “grandma hobby.” I hope that this conversation encourages you, and, as always, I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to reach out!

In This Episode
[0:35] – This episode is about how the phrase “grandma hobbies” is a playful, positive term for calming activities that have unexpectedly improved my life!
[3:07] – I talk about how leaning into energizing “grandma hobbies” helps me re-regulate my nervous system and move out of constant fight mode.
[6:44] – Jesse and I discuss how living constantly in fight-or-flight exhausts the body because it was designed only for short-term survival.
[7:30] – I explain how calming, repetitive hobbies redirect my focus and gently regulate my nervous system without adrenaline or urgency.
[9:42] – I reflect on how letting go of rigid rules revealed how I was addicted to adrenaline and uneasy with newly open space.
[11:11] – Hear how cutting back hours exposed my fear, control, and misplaced belief that success depended solely on me.
[14:40] – I argue how choosing trust over hustle showed me that rest, not control, leads to freedom.
[17:26] – Hear how working less has made my life richer, calmer, and more present across work, relationships, and creativity.
[20:28] – Jesse and I talk about how working fewer hours has improved my energy, sleep quality, and overall well-being by preventing constant exhaustion.
[21:31] – Jesse and I discuss how intentional stillness via simple, calming activities helps restore awareness, reduce stress, and regulate the nervous system!
[24:36] – I am finding that simple creative hobbies create space, restore calm, and help me show up with joy and love!

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Crystal Paine

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