The spring semester is rapidly approaching its end. For many, this means a lot of free time. Personally, whenever I find myself with a lot of time on my hands I feel guilty and I actively try to find something to occupy my time. If you find yourself feeling the same way, you might want to consider starting a hobby.
The word "hobby" is so broad and encapsulates anything from hiking to basket weaving. This diverse spectrum can be intimidating. You might find yourself interested in many different hobbies but don't know where to start, or you may find yourself struggling to find one that speaks to you. Finding the perfect hobby for you is hard and it may take some added effort, but putting in that extra effort will be very rewarding.
Everyone is told that having a hobby is important. I used to roll my eyes at this sentiment, but now that I find myself actively engaging in a hobby I love, I can’t help but agree. There is an abundance of studies detailing the benefits of having a hobby. For example, a study from Utah State University shows that having a hobby shows signs of reduced stress, improved mental health and more.
Committing to something, especially something new, is scary, especially when you have a lot on your plate already. That’s why summer break is a perfect time to explore something new. For many, the warm weather and long sunny days act as perfect motivation.
Again, there are many hobbies you can try, but one hobby I find particularly rewarding is crocheting. Immediately I can hear slight laughs. “Isn’t crocheting for grandmas?” is a phrase I hear more often than you would expect. The image of a grandma curled up in her rocking chair crocheting while watching the latest episode of “Maury” comes to mind for many when they hear the word. However, crocheting is an immensely rewarding and fun hobby. You can make sweaters, socks, cardigans, stuffed animals, bags and so much more. There’s something out there for everyone. Crocheting is also a super easy and cheap hobby to start out with. All it takes is picking up cheap yarn and a crochet hook and pulling up a beginner YouTube tutorial.
I started crocheting in the fall of 2022. I was always interested in the hobby, but I picked it up when I was feeling lost and confused with my first semester of college. I did not know where I was headed and the looming stress almost ate away at me completely. I mainly wanted to do it because I needed a distraction. It was something I could escape to for a couple of hours each day and forget about the uncertainty I felt with college.
I started out crocheting lopsided granny squares. Then I progressed to hats and bags. Now I almost exclusively crochet stuffed animals. Crocheting gave me something to work towards, something that I was actually interested in. I remember vividly a moment when I was desperately trying to learn how to read written patterns. I noticed that instead of being frustrated and annoyed, I was eager to master this new skill. Normally, I’d catch myself giving up if I wasn’t immediately perfect at something, but crocheting was different for me. Sure, I’ve had moments where I feel like throwing my yarn across the room and swearing off the hobby forever, but those moments are short-lived and rare. I find myself striving to get better and master this hobby I once dreamed about having. I can confidently say crocheting changed my life.
Don’t be afraid to pick up a new hobby and don’t be afraid to try new things. It is scary, but it is so worth it in the end. From improved mental health to just having something to be proud of, having a hobby is something that changes your life for the better. There are so many unique and diverse hobbies to choose from, you’re bound to find one that interests you. So, head to Walmart and pick up some yarn and a plastic crochet hook. Take a chance.
Haylee Leasure is a freshman studying journalism. Please note that the opinions expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk about the column? Email Haylee at hl125421@ohio.edu.
