As the last leaves on the tree fall to the ground and the bone-chilling, blustery winds of winter quickly approaching, now is a great time to hunker down and hibernate in the warmth of your home and create a haven of hobbies to keep you company.
Benefits of pandemic pastimes
With today's new drill of social distancing, people are spending a lot more time alone indoors. That said, people have gotten more creative with filling their time. Beyond the latest binge-fest on Netflix, to keep busy, motivated, and fulfilled, people are taking up new hobbies.
Having hobbies is essential for us to connect with our passions, identity, and each other. They help structure our time, develop creative thinking, and can teach us new skills and talents. They are also a wonderful means of alleviating stress by keeping you engaged in something you love to do and making you feel productive while still having fun. Hobbies also help you connect with other people, whether you join an online group, share your ideas with friends, or even gift some of your creations.
Hot hobbies during hibernation
Remember, a hobby is an activity done purely for pleasure. So however you define your creative expression, be it arts and crafts, stirring up culinary creations, or dancing up a storm on Tik Tok - grab your favourite cozy sweater, fuzzy socks, and a go-to hot drink for a great evening full of fun. If you're on the hunt for hobbies, here are a few suggestions to inspire.
Knitting and crocheting: Knit 1, purl 1, it's as simple as that! You'll be hooked with colourful, textured yarns to make stylish scarves, toques, and Afghans to keep you warm.
Sewing: Pull it out of your Mum's closet, order some funky fabric online, follow easy to learn tutorials, and invite your inner fashion designer to whip up one-of-a-kind creations!
Stitch master: From the traditional to the trendy, cross-stitching, needlepoint, and embroidery have made a huge comeback with updated patterns and kits that bring beauty or humour home.
Origami: Remember your first paper airplane and the joy it brought you when it took flight? Well, take it up a notch with a variety of folding paper to make intricate plants, animals, and other nature-inspired objects.
Scrapbooking: Grab your glue sticks, scissors, stickers, and fancy trim! There's a real art to putting your memories to paper. From travel adventures and recipe collections to art-inspired and personal journals, this is a beautiful way to capture it all.
Paint-by-numbers: If you don't have a crafty bone in your body, this is the hobby for you! Lose yourself in the methodical task of filling in little numbered areas with colourful paint. As one of this year's most popular quarantine hobbies, there are amazing kits online for all levels and tastes.
Board games: Create a little friendly competition by hosting a game night with a few friends or via Zoom. Choose from the classics like Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble, or give new options like Exploding Kittens, Codenames, and Ticket to Ride a try.
Puzzles: Working on a puzzle lets your mind drift away, search for, find, assemble, and ultimately see the complete picture come together. From fine art, landscape, glow-in-the-dark, and intricate 3-D designs, there are puzzles for every category and skill level.
Learn a new skill: Have you always wanted to play the guitar, be a bartender, or get bendy with yoga? Now is the perfect time to do just that. Check out Masterclasses hosted by celebrity experts in their crafts. From top chefs, authors, and actors to high-quality online tutorials, you can pick up a new language, musical instrument, and even magic tricks in a snap.
Start a remote club: Everything is better when enjoyed together! Connect with like-minded people remotely while doing something you love. From book and recipe clubs to online charades, and of course, wine tasting, you can stay connected and have fun at the same time!
