Picking up New Hobbies During Quarantine

By Emma Carrero

    Ever since quarantine abruptly came, the second semester of the school year has been canceled, leaving students at home along with boredom. However, being shut inside can open up brand new opportunities to pick one or more hobbies. It is quite a stress reliever to partake in another interest considering the amount of anxiety growing during this pandemic. With that in mind, there are countless useful crafts waiting to be explored and shared.

    For starters, one can take advantage of the infinite internet at a time like this and open their mind to the creative possibilities. Pinterest, for example, is a spectacular social network to connect with others through pictures of that person’s interest. The widely popular app is commonly downloaded to bring out new ideas for creative endeavors like painting, sewing, and cooking. Other places to delve for unique amusements are social media apps like Instagram and streaming sites like YouTube. Both contain a variety of content aimed at fixing boredom with basic or complex tutorials of at-home activities.

Hinman is actively improving his art skills while also relieving stress. Photo Credit: Harrison Hinman

     With that said, each hobby may have some or multiple benefits to it. For example, painting has been known to be beneficial for mental health. Some therapists even use it as a treatment to nurture emotional growth. Additionally, it helps with forming an optimistic attitude and strengthens memory. The main problem with painting though is the actual paint. The materials are often expensive and the work comes with a big mess. If messes are not particularly one’s style then the next option can be drawing. Similar to painting, drawing is good for the brain. Its more popular skill enhancement is problem-solving skills by having the artist take a look at different perspectives and think outside the box. Talented Artist Junior Harrison Hinman explained, “Since I’ve gotten more serious in drawing, I’ve noticed it’s really helped me be more explorative in not just expressing myself, but also in trying new things and pushing myself to be better in all other skills as well. I think it also helps me keep my head clear with the pressure of studies and other academic stuff like that.” Moving on from the technical side of drawing, it also contributes to the telling of a story. Hinman added, “I draw mostly because I like the idea of sharing a story and drawing comes most naturally to me to do that. I also like it because I like being able to stay consistent with it and see myself improve over time.” The art of a pen and paper makes for a convenient way to pass the time.

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    Mentioning paper and pencil brings another sort of interest to the table for those on the less artistic side: writing. It does not necessarily have to be a story, but rather it can be anything to write about. There are many different forms of writing, like journaling, which is currently trending right now. Journaling can be accomplished in several ways, varying from a bullet journal or diary. With online classes continuing, it may be hard to keep track of classes, but setting aside a separate journal or planner can ease that struggle with its organization component. Not only that, but it also allows one to customize it to their individual liking.

    All in all, quarantine shows no sign of being lifted soon, leaving students with spare time. That is why instead of teenagers utilizing it with boredom, hobbies can become handy. Besides it being a way for entertainment, these enjoyable interests can improve some creativity skills initially helping out with virtual school and coping with stress.