Check out the latest from the KNOW newsletter featuring Airshare employee stories!
Kompass Network of Women (KNOW) partnered with Habitat KC’s Women Build program.
On Friday, May 16, volunteers from Airshare, Dynamic Logistix, Kompass Kaptial, and Moonshot Solutions joined forces with Habitat KC to support this mission. They spent the day unloading lumber, painting interiors, and putting finishing touches on a Kansas City woman’s future home. Airshare employees Lindsay Roeser, Maria Nicolosi and Brandi Thomas participated in the Habitat for Humanity Women Build program.
Many women face stigma, economic inequality, and structural racism in the housing market. Discrimination based on sex and familial status ranks among the most frequent fair housing violations filed with federal agencies. Habitat for Humanity combats this bias with Women Build, an initiative dedicated to helping female-led families gain access to safe, affordable housing.
KNOW’s mission is to empower and connect women across our group and in the broader community. Their hard work brought this mission to life.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered. We can’t wait for next year!
“So, What Do You Do for Fun?” Rediscovering Hobbies This Summer
by Brandi Thomas (Marketing Director)
It’s a question we hear on first dates, in job interviews, or when meeting new people: “What do you do for fun?” For many women juggling careers, families, and everything in between, that question can feel surprisingly difficult to answer.
I’m a full-time working mom of an 8-year-old. Most of my free time is spent at her activities, volunteering at church, running errands, and getting stuff done around the house. My calendar is full, my brain is always on, and when I do find a moment of stillness, I immediately feel guilty, like I should be folding laundry, checking emails, or getting ahead on a project. Doing something just because it brings me joy feels… indulgent.
But the truth is, I’m realizing that joy, rest, and play aren’t luxuries. They’re necessary.
Why Hobbies Matter – Especially Now
Summer offers a natural reset. With longer days and a slight shift in pace, I’ve been thinking about what it would mean to claim more time for myself. Not to be productive. Not to check off another box. But simply to feel like me again.
Science backs this up: A 2022 Nature Medicine study found that people who regularly engage in hobbies report higher life satisfaction and lower depression. Creative activities are also linked to reduced stress and better brain health. Basically, hobbies help us show up better for ourselves and for everyone around us.
Yet, as adults, we often lose touch with what we enjoy just for ourselves. Busy schedules, pressure to be productive, and even the idea that hobbies should be a “side-hustle” to earn money can hold us back from exploring leisure without guilt.
How to (Re)Discover a Hobby This Summer
If you’re like me and hobbies feel like a distant memory or a guilty pleasure, here’s what I’m learning:
- Start tiny. I’ve been giving myself 20–30 minutes a week to do something I want to do. No multitasking. No agenda.
- Revisit old passions. I recently began painting again and riding my bike. Things that made me feel joyful before life got so busy.
- Sample something new. Think weekend workshops, YouTube tutorials, or DIY kits. Low commitment, high curiosity.
- Bring a buddy. Friends make it more fun, keep you on track, and give you a feel-good endorphin boost.
- Schedule the time. Protect and prioritize it like any other appointment.
The Takeaway
This summer, you deserve time that’s just for you. Not your job, not your family — just you. Hobbies aren’t about being productive. They’re about feeling alive, creative, and connected. So go ahead and try something new, rekindle something old, and when someone asks, “What do you do for fun?”, you just might surprise yourself with the answer.