By Alyna Rei–Upper School Junior and Blog Correspondent

I’m not usually the person to try many hobbies or go outside the box. But, with quarantine and a couple of boring days stuck at home, I was able to conjure up a few new hobbies—some I jettisoned when we came out of quarantine; some I continue to this day.

Quarantine hobbies that were just too weird to continue . . .

Collecting Crystals and Stones – I was pretty enthusiastic about this hobby in 2021. I would collect cool-looking stones. It might have been a crystal that had some essential meaning, or just a cool-looking stone. I still have my crystals, but I just don’t collect them as much now. I’m not sure why I stopped collecting them, but I feel like this hobby is off and on for me. This is something I may come back to, depending on my karmic need.

Socializing – I’m not sure if this can be considered as a hobby. When I was around 12 or 13, I would really like to talk to people and meet new people. Now that I’m older,  I feel that having two-three friends is comfortable. I also hate the idea of having to talk to strangers. Through the years, I started to like the idea of being alone on a couple of occasions and having me time. The thought of socializing with people that I don’t know or being in a huge crowd of people gives me a little anxiety. Plus, now that we’re out of quarantine, I’m in the world more. It’s nurturing to embrace me time.

Quarantine hobbies that stayed with me . . .

Reading – Going back to liking the fact of being by myself, I have gotten into reading. I got this hobby from my mom who loves fictional books (same with me). I love to listen to calm music and read a book in my alone time. I am mostly into romance books. I thrive on rom coms and fictional romances.

Collecting Plants – I started this hobby at the age thirteen. I would always see little succulent plants and houseplants on the internet and  ask, ”Why would anyone want to have a plant in their room?” But, through the years, I started to love having plants in my room and loving the habit of watering them. I say this is a good hobby since it taught me how to care for a living object and have responsibility. My mom first gave me plants that you can’t kill. Once my mom saw that I can keep a plant alive, I started to collect plants that are trickier, but plants that I am really interested in. I usually prefer plants that require not a lot of sun.

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I’m pretty content with the hobbies I do now. I’m not sure if I will come up with more since I don’t like to switch into different hobbies and things. But, I feel like hobbies will always keep me productive and intact.