Well, OP, I think that no matter if you decide to persue other interests IN ADDITION to mothering, you're still 100 percent mothering your kids. Be careful to not slip into the either/or thinking.
What ages are your children?
My kids are 8, 7, and 7. To be really honest with you I was really "lost" to myself or any outside interests from the time the twins were born until they were around 2. When the twins were 2 I dipped my toe in by accepting a board position at their toddler group, so that I see how things worked, and get to hang out with some nice moms I wanted to get to know better. I'd done some playgroup coordination before that, but that was more email coordination. I didn't do too much else other than occasional church volunteering until the kids were 6, 5, and 5--when I started to get really involved in the PTA and at the parent-co-op elementary program that my kids attend.
THis past fall, when the kids were 7, 6, and 6, I decided that really I wanted to do something OTHER than kids stuff. I knew that it had to work with my schedule without stressing me out--which meant no daytime stuff. (that meant the animal shelter was out--they needed a 4 hours daytime or weekend block, and I wasn't willing to give that). So I thought about things that I had always wanted to do but never had time--and picked (stereotypically enough) a pottery class. I LOVE it--and I've continued with clay classes the whole year including this summer. I didn't realize I was an artist, and it's been so fun.
For the next year, I accepted an executive position with my school program. I plan on continuing my pottery. And I'm paring down other volunteer obligations so that I can add in at least 1 hour of exercise daily (I alternate between a Zumba class, cardio-weights, and a personal trainer).
So for me, it was helpful to take it in stages. Frankly, after years of VERY intense parenting I needed some breathing room--and playing with dirt and working my body does it for me. But I had to wait until it was practical for me to do so. I couldn't have left for 3 hours in the evening once a week with 3 nurslings--unless I was planning to use my stiff, engorged boobs to shape the clay on the wheel. :P And while it would have been possible for me to drag them all to the Y--by the time that happened I would have been exhausted. Now the kids are old enough to support me doing cool things with clay, and they're the ones dragging ME to the gym (because they want to go play with the awesome young adult staff in the older kid play areas).
As for skills I've picked up--I'm kind of shocked at how many practical skills I've picked up volunteering at the school. Event organization, community contacts, knowing how to use all the functions on the fancy copy machine, big budgets, political activism (school board/district politics), stepping out of my comfort zone for public speaking (in front of large groups--from the school group, to contentious board meetings, to community meetings), mediation, learning how to write bylaws and grants. How to use the area's library software and programs. Knowing how to cook regularly for 100 people, preparing a filling, nutritious whole meal for $100 or less.
I am pretty good at handbuilding pottery, my wheel thrown cups and bowls actually LOOK like cups and bowls. My drawing skills have increased. I know how to mix up glazes! I can teach the basics of pinch pots and coil building to others (and have!). Despite being a fat housewife, I can kick booty (and SHAKE IT TOO) in Zumba for an hour without quitting. I know how to spot people who are lifting free weights.
Now, is any of that a huge inroad into a career? Probably not. BUT...my brain finally feels exercised, I am learning new things, my kids see me willing to try stuff I've never done before with a cheerful and adventurous spirit.
But I think you have to start where you can, ease into it. I don't think you have to have A Magnificent Plan right away. The important part (IMO) is to PLAY. And learn. You never know what might grab you. I never ever ever thought of myself as an artist--now I'm slowly building a studio in my laundry room. I never thought of myself as a leader, but I have mentors and supporters who want me to lead an organization that's very important to me. Some of the stuff that I thought I would like (I always thought I'd like to be a librarian) I've realized through volunteering that while I love being a volunteer it's not something that grabs me as a career.
Pick one thing that you can easily fit into your budget and schedule. And commit to doing it this year. If you don't like it, pick something else after a few months! Don't try to do too much so you don't crash and burn. But IME, things do not just fall into place--you do have to be the one to give bits and pieces a shove.
