Hobbies That Made Me Human Again

Being hobby-less made me depressed. 

Maybe that’s a stretch, but it’s partially true. When I started college, I had never been more motivated in my life. Sure, classes were hard, but I was all go go go, I never put time aside for myself. Over time, I noticed that I started feeling burnt out, sad, and just plain old boring. Studying became harder, the light of passion for my future career got dimmer, and I wasn’t having fun. I was stuck in my academics. 

Beginning this year, I told myself I would find time for my hobbies in the chaos of my studies. I decided to share my list of hobbies that I’m making time for so I don’t turn into a robot again. 

Junk Journaling

This hobby is great and very low-maintenance. The only thing that you have to do is collect junk! It makes any dull day more eventful. Taking stickers off my coffee cups, getting a poster off a bulletin board, or even random notes I’ve taken in class–all of those will find their way into my junk journal. 

I started this in January, and since then I have made seven spreads: an intro page spread, Christmas spread, my dog’s tenth birthday spread, a Tony’s chocolonely spread, a Heated Rivalry spread (its not very cute but I’m too obsessed with the show), a Valentine’s Day spread, and a New York spread (my favorite). 

Junk journaling is also a very cheap hobby to get into; the only thing you really need to buy (if you don’t already have one) is a blank notebook, glue, and scissors. 

Listening To Audiobooks

I know, audiobooks are already pretty popular, but it is actually something I have just recently gotten into. I started my first audiobook last week, and I am already 70% done with the book. While I have listened to audiobooks previously, it was never something I was able to fully get into, because I am easily distracted. 

I am a commuter student, and what I have noticed in my time in college is that I don’t really want to, or have time to, sit down and read a book. Which is a bit crazy because I love to read a good book. To maximize my time and make my drive to and from school less dreadful, I listen to audiobooks. 

Reviewing Movies On Letterboxd

This is my most time-consuming hobby, watching movies. I will say, I haven’t been very good at keeping up with this one, simply because my schoolwork takes up all my time. However, getting to rate and talk about every movie I watch to my two friends on Letterboxd makes it easier to do. 

These are just my current hobbies; they might change, or I might continue them, who knows how long my hyperfixations on these things will last. All I know is that having hobbies has made me a person again; it has brought back color into my life. While school is hard, having hobbies has made the load of academic stress a little more bearable. Doing my hobbies allows me to decompress. School is draining, so do something fun, something that makes you feel like you! 

• #books
• #MentalWellness
• hobbies
• mental health