Keeping the Ball Rolling
by Donna T. Darantinao
Dumaguete City
Travels. Food trips. Escapades. Night outs. Classes in person.
We all know that the pandemic has prevented a lot of group activities we have planned even before 2020 arrived at our feet. It is similar to an entire meal being put to waste because of insects infesting it even before you have attempted getting a bite. That sounds kind of dispiriting but there can be no better comparison to the global situation at the moment to the food we can’t be able to eat anymore, especially if we have waited a long time for its consumption.
While we cannot be able to move forward with previous plans, we tend to find a way to keep the ball rolling, because let’s face it, who would want to stay at home waiting for another day to pass? This is why developing hobbies at home can possibly lighten the dump of stress caused by the pandemic.
Why hobbies? Well, according to an online article by the Center for Adult Education based in Melbourne, research finds that we can conclude five benefits of having and developing hobbies.
Hobbies offer you time for yourself.
While you move forward doing your usual activities but at a rate where you exert greater effort, like for example your online classes and answering modules, hobbies allow you to find time for yourself. It’s either you play guitar, write in your diary, or play online games. This keeps you away from the stress and even gives you a sense of self-achievement!
Hobbies keep your mind tidy.
In connection to keeping you away from stress, hobbies also help you live in the moment. Because you will most likely choose a hobby that you enjoy, the enjoyment of the activity keeps your mind at bay, thus maintaining the clean state of your mind. Your hobbies ease your mind, some examples can be meditating and drawing.
Hobbies help maintain physical health.
Hobbies that may help you to stay physically fit are gardening, yoga, dancing, and fitness. These types of hobbies help you be active and while you turn these exercises into hobbies, they can help boost confidence and energy levels. Physical hobbies also help you stay in shape while you stay at home during these times.
Hobbies unlock new limitations of yourself.
Having a hobby can help you explore parts of yourself you never knew that existed. They unlock a curious mind and with curiosity comes learning. You also meet new people, especially if you like playing online games and you decide to venture into online streaming due to the global situation. With that, you are still able to interact with people who share the same interests as you, thus keeping your life during the pandemic still productive.
Hobbies help you choose and boost your career choice!
Finally, while you’re at school, your hobbies will be able to help you carve a path towards the career choice you are going for. If you already have a career, then your hobbies will definitely help you boost your stress-management when it comes to work. Your hobbies will also keep your mind on track and your skills sharp. Further, hobbies may turn into a source of additional income especially during the pandemic, for example, if you know how to make DIY bracelets and pots for plants, you can sell them online and help you keep your finances afloat!
Of course, hobbies really are advisable especially during times when going out is a luxury we cannot afford. They keep our minds on the move and also benefit us in ways we have never thought of before. But we must keep in mind that the effect of our hobbies would still vary on the amount of effort you lay down and if you are looking into keeping them in the long run for yourself. Because as poet Rainer Maria Rilke once said, “The only journey is the journey within.”
Keep on, fighter!
