We all love our partners. Even when they keep throwing dirty socks on the bedroom floor or leaving the toilet lid up. Most of them have certain hobbies that bring them joy and an opportunity to spend some time on their own. They often choose computer games or doing some do-it-yourself. But some of them look for solitude and remoteness and opt for FISHING.
Show him that you understand his passion
Everybody needs some time on their own. You probably also take time for yourself – when you go to get your nails done or when you go shopping and spend your time on buying another sweater that you really need:) Men, on the other hand, may have a bit different understanding of their time on their own. What matters to them is that they do not have to think about their job or things to be done at home while enjoying their free time.
Show respect for his interests
Fishing is an excellent solution. It is by nature a meditative activity, good for mental wellness. It requires focus and undivided attention. It offers an escape from stress and anxiety. It would be better if you accept this type of hobby, especially when you see that his fishing trips with Pontoon boat make him calmer and he feels very happy when talking about his fishing successes – try to understand the reasons which get him out there for a couple of hours during the weekend.
Show your interest in what he loves
Just like women, men love when other people are interested in them and in the things they do. I do not mean asking questions “where have you been” or “why do you prefer spending time with your fishing buddies rather than with me.” This is not the way you should show your interest.
A better option would be to try to find a common ground and ask him about his fishing excursions (make sure you do not show your irritation about the activity he loves). When you show your interest in his hobby, he will be more likely to tell you about his fishing adventures and about other things important to him.
Show that you listen to his needs
His fishing-related needs can be a good occasion for a Christmas gift. You probably do not want to buy him another pair of socks and when you are up-to-date with his hobby, you will probably know best what he really needs. Rods, reels, and other stuff… You may know from your conversations about his hobby that he is especially fond of a certain style of fishing that requires a specific type of fishing scissors or any other gear.
And imagine the happiness of your partner when he opens his Christmas present and finds a piece of gear that he can use during his next fishing excursion. What a surprise! You can be sure that he will be thrilled when he sees that his hobby is important to you.
But he spends way too much time fishing
Fishermen really do have periods in their lives when they do not fish – when everyday life seems to get in the way. Most of them know how to keep balance between time spent on fishing and their family time. For some of them fishing is just one of their favorite pastimes and a rather sporadic option.
When you feel that fishing steals your spouse, however, try to think what are the reasons he is so deeply engaged with the activity. Maybe he has some problems at work that he does not want to discuss at home and maybe he treats fishing as the best option for taking his mind off daily stress.
It would be good to make sure that his fishing trips are not an escape from more serious problems. When you manage to establish that everything is fine and you do not need to worry about the reasons for his absence, but you still feel that you have to compete with fishing – count how much time he spends on fishing a week and whether he favors it over spending time together. Approach your spouse to tell him the result and use it as an argument while having a conversation with him – do it with care. Rather than shouting and getting upset, try to keep calm. Tell him the truth and try to find a solution that would be acceptable to both of you.
