According to Heidi Godman, the executive editor of the Harvard Health letter, “hobbies — such as arts and crafts, games, gardening, volunteering, or participating in clubs — involve creativity, sensory engagement, self-expression, relaxation, and cognitive stimulation, which are linked to good mental health and well-being.” Humans were made to not only live but to create, to connect with those around beyond words.
Journaling: Last Christmas, I was gifted a journal by my grandma. Since my first pen stroke on the page, I was infatuated. Journaling has become one of my favorite outlets to express gratitude and log my days. Being consistent with journaling allows for detailed, or not so detailed, accounts of each day to be collected, which is a nice memento. I enjoy being able to reflect on my days, what went well, what did not. People should journal because it requires a daily evaluation. With this reflection, one can see how to maximize how days are spent. Through this daily evaluation, I can be proactive with how I want to spend my life. Especially within the summer months, all of the days are blended into one, so having a little documentation allows me to distinctly remember each day and its uniqueness. Currently, I use two journals, one journal specifically for gratitude and the other for accounts of my day to day life. Each morning, I write down three things I am grateful for; I do not allow myself to reuse the same words. The other journal is just a standard notebook where I reflect on my days overall and highlight key moments that I want to remember. Journaling is specific to each individual person, this form of entertainment is fully customizable, allowing it to adapt to any schedule or level of commitment.
Puzzles: Nothing is more gratifying than the instant satisfaction of joining together two intricately shaped pieces of a puzzle. Throughout the entirety of my life, I have loved assembling puzzles. Over the summer I had fallen back in love with a long forgotten childhood joy; I had completed 8 puzzles alongside my family members. For me, puzzles are a sign of teamwork and camaraderie. Even if my family members are sitting together in complete silence, a message is still being spoken, that we are working together towards a common goal. Puzzling is a great way to pass time as the activity allows for human connection, if done alongside others, while also improving my individual hand eye coordination and pattern recognition skills, which could not be established while watching a movie or reading a book.
Painting: I have loved to paint my entire life. My passion for art has been fueled by the multitude of art classes I have taken here at Newbury Park High School. In my freshman year I took “Color and Design” taught by Tracy Enriquez, and my obsession with creation was strengthened. Painting, for me, is a form of self-expression that is more freeing than traditional pen or charcoal art. With paint, I can experiment with blending of colors and more organic shapes, which allows this art form to be cathartic. I recommend that people start painting as it is a relaxing way to capture emotions, thoughts, or ideas.
Having outlets allows me to express my feelings and emotions in a productive way. Through these activities, I can spend my time being productive and gaining a feeling of accomplishment. Days spent without hobbies leave me feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied. Free time should be spent connecting with others or filled with gratifying activities.