With quarantine driving us all a little crazy, it’s nice to take time for yourself and indulge yourself in some creativity or fun as a way to decompress. Throughout this time, students have picked up new hobbies and continued old ones, giving them a space to be themselves and take a breather from the events of the world around them.
Junior psychology major Caroline Adcock has recently picked up sewing again, using an old sewing machine from the 80’s that her mom has passed down to her.
“It’s a tedious process, but at the moment, I’m glad to take up something so time consuming,” said Adcock. “Not to mention, it’s so great to see the finished product and be able to take pride in the fact that I was the one who put it together!”
Senior English major Susannah Murphine has picked up a similar hobby: crocheting. She has always been one to keep her hands busy and, in the past, has crocheted during lectures as a way to help her stay focused.
“I can do it while on a Zoom call or watching a video lecture, and I feel less self-conscious about it,” said Murphine.
While some have more tangible hobbies, others are filling their time but are not quite sure if they would consider their newfound habits as hobbies.
“Are YouTube conspiracy videos a hobby?” asked junior theatre education major Leah Wilmoth.
Sometimes, it can be the little things that become hobbies and keep you busy. Wilmoth has also busied herself with odds and ends around the house, whether she’s power-washing the deck, painting with acrylics or sitting on the couch watching “Avatar the Last Airbender” yet again.
Freshman zoology major Allaina Armstrong has spent her time digging in the earth, using gardening as a way to nurture her mind.
“I love watching things grow and knowing I helped in some way! New life is so cool to watch, even if it’s just plants,” said Armstrong.
Armstrong has not only been caring for her mind but also for her body by running consistently.
“Running brings me joy because it helps me build my mental toughness and discipline as well as the fact that it’s good for my body,” said Armstrong.
Some students, like senior IT major Tristan Wood, have found more unusual ways to spend their time. With the emptying shelves in many grocery stores, Wood hasn’t been able to get his hands on some good old fashioned Kraft brand mac and cheese. So, to pass the time and supplement his traditional mac and cheese, Wood has been buying multiple different brands of mac and cheese and trying each one out.
“I even tried some with that weird liquid cheese,” said Wood.
Wood takes his mac and cheese endeavors very seriously, yet he still has not found anything that has come close to the traditional Kraft.
Whether these students are taking care of their bodies, minds, souls or stomachs, they each have found their own unique ways to cope during this stressful time.
