As a junior in high school right now, there's always something to do- homework, grades, extra curriculars, etc. If you're not doing something productive, it usually means that you're wasting time. With everything happening at the same time, it's easy to forget the things you like to do and your own hobbies that you would normally do in your free time.
When I was a little kid, one of my favorite things to do was art. As I painted and drew more pictures, I got better and better each time. I never went to any classes but I would watch YouTube videos and se my creativity to draw and paint whatever came to mind. Sometimes, I would even sell my artwork and make small profits.
Art was my stress reliever. It was my "run away" destination. But, because it's time consuming and requires a lot more effort than my daily schedule can handle, I lost my connection with art. School and other extracurriculars had overridden my passion and love for art. When I do get free time, usually during the summer, I try to paint whenever I can and feel like it.
What I learned from this distancing with one of my biggest stress relievers was that even though school can almost make it feel impossible to have free time, it's always important to incorporate your hobbies into your day/ week. It's always a good thing to save time for your interests and what you like to do.
