Bored with all this extra time on your hands? You are NOT alone. There are several ways to quarantine without losing your mind. Not everyone is eager or able to head back to the outside world. Whether you are currently working from home, waiting to head back to work, or unemployed, there are things you can do to help pass the time. This is the time for a new hobby or a quarantine hobby that may help you deal with the stress of the pandemic and learn something new.
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Not everyone is ready to get that side gig going. Some of us just want to relax with a new hobby that is fun, easy to do and will allow you to grow in a more creative way. We’ve got some amazing hobbies that will get you there that won’t require a ton of cash or technical skills but will give you that extra boost of confidence and creativity.
Crocheting & Knitting
Hey, don’t knock it till you try it. I would have NEVER thought about learning how to crochet or knit before the pandemic, but my daughter wanted to try it and I said, “why not?”. I’ve been excited and having fun ever since! There is a huge community of black women who crochet and knit and I’ve been hooked (get it) ever since I started. Whether you are interested in creating blankets, shawls or even bathing suits, the ideals and pattern are endless and the creativity is pretty amazing.
I’ve been following #blackgirlscrochet for ideas, patterns and inspiration as I create my very own work, a blanket. It’s been fun and easy as we learned from watching YouTube videos and from starter kits like these: Learn Crochet! Kit for crochet and Boye I Taught Myself to Knit Kit for knitting. You can always get your tools and yarn from popular craft stores like Michaels and even Etsy but many stores are even doing curbside pick-up so call ahead to see so you can limit your interactions with others.
Coloring Books
Coloring books were popular BEFORE the pandemic and they have become the saving grace for many women and men who need some downtime. The variety in books to choose from are pretty endless and the artistry is downright amazing. These are not your kid’s coloring books as you can find some like the popular We Travel In Color where you see beautiful black women in stunning vacation spots around the world to natural hair coloring books like Curls in Color: A Natural Hair Coloring Book.
There’s a reason you see children calm when they color. This relaxing hobby is worth giving a try and when you feel the stress leave your body, you can thank me. A new hobby that is actually an old one will become a favorite before you know even realize it. I was into this big about a year ago and it really allowed me to slowdown and enjoy just doing something for myself.
Cooking & Baking
Cooking and baking? Yes, cooking and baking! Have you seen folks baking up a storm on social media like I have? They are baking bread and cakes along with FINALLY getting into that air fryer that’s been sitting collecting dust. It’s not the best way to stay in shape, but it’s a fun way to be creative and check out your baking skills. We recently got a Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 that allows you to air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate and grill like a master. I cannot tell you how much we grill and air fry now. Talk about taking my grilling game to the next level!
If you’ve always wanted to step up your cooking or baking game, or just want to share what you’ve been up to, this is the time to do it. Believe me, not everyone is eating out and its cheaper to cook in so give whatever you have always wanted to make a try. My sister is about to make some cheeseburger egg rolls in her air fryer soon. I mean EVERYONE is trying something new.
Indoor Gardening
Another hobby that is getting more popular by the day is indoor gardening. Now, I don’t have a green thumb and will never profess to having one, but I can see the appeal of having a thriving garden for indoors. The passion for gardening is growing among millennials and with so many of us stuck inside, you can now easily enjoy the outdoors by sinking your hands into the earth right inside your own humble abode. What’s everyone growing? Succulents and herbs seem to be the top picks. For Succulents, the cactus, sedum, echeveria, hens and chicks, and aloe are what most people are planting and growing the most.
Herb gardens allow you to have fresh herbs for cooking and gives your food even more flavor than buying herbs from the store. Also, it makes you feel better knowing you grew your own for your cooking. How great is that? Starter kits are easy to get your on the road to indoor gardening and will guide you through the entire planting process.
Now, everything I have mentioned can be created for your own pleasure or you can consider turning this into a side hustle. That’s up to you but honestly, just having a hobby that makes you happy and allows you to relieve some stress is just as important as making money. Hobbies are necessary and this pandemic may be letting us remember we need to be doing SOMETHING outside of just making money. We need down time and self care to recharge our bodies and minds.
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Once we get our lives back to a new normal, don’t just drop these new hobbies. Incorporate them into your new lives. Finding ways to relieve stress is necessary for a calmer live. Enjoy the hobby and remember that life is more than about making money.
Sabrina
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