Rediscovering hobbies during COVID-19
Many of us around the world have been stuck at home for a couple of weeks now, and something I keep on reading about is how one of the silver linings of this is that we’re rediscovering old hobbies.
For some of us, it also means finally making the time to dedicate to indulging in hobbies – now that life as we knew it has been on pause in many ways, there are no excuses. And there are only so many episodes of “Cheer” or “Terrace House” that we can watch until you go a bit crazy from staring at your TV.
Image by Evgeni Tcherkasski from Pixabay
One goal that I set for myself at the start of this month was to finish writing an article I had an idea for, and to submit it to Thrive Global. If you’re not familiar with the publication, Thrive Global is one of Arianna Huffington’s media properties and I’ve been a fan for many years because it’s focused on sharing positive news around health (physical and mental), wellness, career advice and such. It’s totally up my alley and I feel like many of you would enjoy it too. I know that articles like the ones in Thrive Global have been keeping my spirits up lately.
I was also going through an old piece that I had written back when I was 13, and it’s crazy how that’s come full circle now because the story I wrote was about SARS. I was living in Hong Kong when the epidemic happened, and I documented my experience with it. The story ended up being my first published piece of original work (thank you Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul) and my first paycheck that I earned (it was $200 which for a 13 year old, felt like a fortune!). It was bittersweet to read my article from back then because it made me remember all of the emotions I felt during SARS, and I also would have had no idea that 17 years later, the world and I would be going through yet another healthcare crisis. And it feels worse this time?!
That said, I wanted to write an article for Thrive Global to help others who may be feeling anxious right now (I know I am!) and to share some learnings from back then that are relevant in today’s circumstances. I’d love it if you check it out! You can read it HERE.
Also, I’m planning to write more articles both here and for Thrive Global, so I hope you all enjoy and let me know what you think!
Outside of writing, I’ve also been revisiting other hobbies like baking, playing the piano (I have made it a project to re-teach myself how to play Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 which I haven’t attempted since high school) and trying my best to actually keep up with Duolingo so I can learn some Spanish.
What hobbies are you enjoying while in confinement where you are? Lets share ideas! :)
xx Eri