Hobbies As Coping Mechanisms
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Hobbies As Coping Mechanisms

Hobbies are for self-creators.

818
Hobbies As Coping Mechanisms
Jazmin Galdamez

Hobbies: I love them, yet I despised having to do them... except when it's in regards of doodling. How many of you think of doodling as a hobby? Probably not many of you do think of doodling as a hobby, but, man does it get those creative juices running.

How many hobbies do you have? How many times a week do you practice them? Those are the questions that I keep asking myself. How many hobbies are in my hobbies list, probably about ten. They're in a basket, you see, just like the colored pencils I used to color my world of doodles.

I have hobbies, yet how many times a day can I utilize them? Ten, one, three, or zero times a day, depending on my mood, really. The essence of having a hobby is allowing it to come to life and be a part of your daily life.

So why the big deal? Not only is a hobby a hobby, it's a coping mechanism.

According to mental health wellness week, "Coping skills are methods a person uses to deal with stressful situations. Obtaining and maintaining good coping skills does take practice. However utilizing these skills becomes easier over time. Most importantly, good coping skills make for good mental health wellness."

So how often do you, dear friend of mine, practice your hobbies/coping mechanisms?

How often, do you, dear friend think of picking up an instrument? For me, this is the one hobby that is mental, creative, and time-consuming. Playing an instrument, such as the clarinet or the drums help to release frustrations and rage, while it digs into my soul like an iron spade, and it reminds me that not only are sounds extravagant, they're also soothing to my mental mind and healing soul.

So I found my best outlet; rather than singing along to the music of the ever-looping radio station, I picked up the clarinet.

I play the clarinet, yet I didn't always. First in middle school, stopped for a few years, and now I'm at it again in college. But how did this journey begin, you might ask? It began with the yearning to rekindle the fire of a childhood passion. Because who would think, other than I, to return to one of my old-dear musing challenges — a terror of failure yet one to strive to be musically again. So now, in college, I have rekindled the fire, the fire of music, to dwindle upon my fingers, every few times a week, the magical instrumental clarinet.

The best hobbies, are those that leave you with a smile on your face, the ones that take up time and make you feel like you are flying on a cloud. The hobbies that light up your heart and remind you that you are alive. And not just a 24/7 hour working matching, because as a college student, it can very much feel this way. That you don't even have time to listen to your favorite tunes or dance that little music routine you learned when you were 12 years old and on YouTube, mimicking Shakira's hips or Eminem and his gesturing hands. So remember, hobbies are important, whether you're busy with life or hanging around in a hammock all day long.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

38728
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

23154
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

949547
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

127105
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments