I just get too overwhelmed if I have any important life things and can’t start working on a hobby project because I’m too afraid I wouldn’t have the time to finish it or that it might hurt my real obligations. I’ve never been able to balance these two.
If it’s important to you, make hobby time a priority as part of your mental health self care routine. Even if it’s only an hour a week, that’s still progress that’s being made when you have the time to make it. Making both putting down and picking up a project a habit will help take the “I have to finish it!” pressure off you while you’re enjoying your hobby. I’m assuming you have at least 1 free hour a week, and if not I feel for you.