A Day in the Life of: Elaina from Hobby Hour
In her off-grid yurt, Elaina finds meaning through handmade living and quiet routines.
Welcome to “A Day in the Life,” a series where I invite fellow Substack creators to walk us through a cozy day in their world. From slow mornings and creative rituals to the unassuming habits that bring comfort and inspiration — these glimpses are a celebration of everyday rhythm, presence, and the beauty of life lived intentionally.
Today I’m thrilled to introduce the author behind Hobby Hour, a Substack dedicated to carving out space for creativity, self-sufficiency, and intentional living. Elaina lives in a handmade off-grid yurt tucked deep in the woods of northern Wisconsin, where her days follow the seasons and reflect a quiet commitment to living with less impact and more intention.
Elaina’s story is compelling not just because she lives off-grid, but because of how simple and thoughtful her approach feels. From turning off her phone at night to spending her afternoons on the water or at her craft table, she reminds us that sustainability begins in the small, consistent choices we make.
In this interview, she shares a glimpse into her routine and the evolution of Hobby Hour, along with how setting aside just one hour a day for joy helped her find her way back to herself.
Can you tell us a bit about who you are and what inspired you to start Hobby Hour?
My Substack is called Hobby Hour, and it’s all about making time for the things you love. I enjoy spending time outdoors and creating with my hands in all kinds of ways. I'm particularly inspired by the idea of leaving things better than we found them. I try to live with a legacy mindset, always wanting to leave as little impact on the environment as possible, and that means living with intention, always.
✨ Olivia here (moving forward, you’ll see some notes from me in italics) — one of my favorite pieces from Elaina’s Substack is her post on making maple syrup. It’s an honest and down-to-earth look at learning a new skill, figuring things out as you go, and finding unexpected joy in a season that can be difficult. It’s also full of practical takeaways if you’ve ever been curious about trying the hobby yourself.
What does a cozy day in your life look like?
My routine changes seasonally, especially because I work in education and have summers off. Here’s a sample of my weekday routine for most days in the spring:
5:15 am: Wake up, very slowly try to convince myself to get out of bed and get ready for the day.
5:45 am: Drive to the gym.
6:00 am: Run outside.
6:30 am: Relax at the gym; hot tub, drink water, and get ready for work.
7:10 am: Leave for work.
7:30 am - 3:30 pm: Work.
3:45 pm: Afternoon block. Could be kayaking, biking, gardening, knitting, sewing.
7:00 pm: Unpack bag, make dinner, eat dinner, clean up, prepare for next day.
8:00 pm: Bedtime block. Could be reading, knitting, sauna-ing, hanging out, relaxing.
9:00 pm: Bedtime.
How has living off-grid influenced your perspective on sustainable living and creativity?
At the height of the COVID pandemic, I felt really defeated about the sustainable efforts I had been making. At the time, I was living in Milwaukee, and there was so much single-use garbage floating around. Living off-grid now has made me feel like all those small efforts I made in the past led me to a more sustainable lifestyle than I ever imagined. Living at this “extreme” has also made me more creative, since I’m always thinking about how I can make things myself, make do with what I have, or go without.
What challenges have you faced living off-grid, and what have you learned from them?
One of the biggest challenges I face regularly is keeping up with water-related chores, especially when it comes to doing dishes. Hauling water in and out isn’t exactly fun, and it definitely makes something like dishwashing more of a task. Whenever I do dishes back on the grid at friends’ or family’s homes, I’m always struck by how convenient it feels. It’s strange to realize how rarely we think about where our water comes from, or where it goes.
✨ Elaina explores this even more in one of her posts, “None of This is Convenient,” where she breaks down what it really means to live without modern comforts — no running water, no microwave, no shower — and why, despite the extra work, she wouldn't trade it. It’s one of those pieces that stays with you and gently challenges the way you think about ease, time, and what actually makes life feel full.
Your Substack is titled Hobby Hour, and you created a definition for the term. What is a “Hobby Hour,” and how does your newsletter explore the concept?
I started Hobby Hour when I was a burnt-out special education teacher, trying to carve out just one hour a day for the things I loved. My hobbies mostly include fiber arts (like knitting, sewing, and quilting) along with outdoor activities like camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing, and kayaking. Over time, the newsletter has evolved to include a lot about minimalism, which became my key to finding more free time.
How do you achieve a “Hobby Hour” in your personal life? How do you prioritize time for it?
One of the simplest and most impactful ways I found time for myself early on was by limiting my phone use. I started turning it off at 7:00 p.m., and right away, I had more space in my evenings. I’ve also gotten better at setting boundaries with work and being more intentional about the extracurriculars I say yes to, making sure they fill me up instead of draining me.
✨ If you’ve been meaning to start a new hobby but don’t know where to begin, Elaina has a great post that breaks it down in a really approachable way. It’s full of small, doable suggestions for getting over that first hurdle (starting!), especially when time and energy feel scarce.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who wants to start simplifying their life and making more room for their passions?
Pay attention to what’s draining your time and energy, and take small steps to reduce it. Technology is a great place to start… I’m guessing you’re not especially passionate about doom-scrolling!
Find Elaina here:
💬 Feel free to like or comment on this newsletter so more Substack users can find it! ♥️
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