When the COVID-19 pandemic forced people around the world to go into lockdown, millions of people found themselves with a surplus of free time. With few ways to pass the time, many people turned to finding new hobbies, as well as rediscovering old ones. Now, nearly four and a half years later, many of those same pastimes have evolved into long-lasting passions and interests.
One of the most common interests that people picked up was reading. For Camas High School (CHS) sophomore Emilie Otalora, the boredom and long hours spent at home were what sparked her interest in books.
“I absolutely wouldn’t have started [reading] without it,” Otalora said.
Since then, Otalora has found favorite authors, discovered new genres, and curated her bookshelf with some of her favorite books. Reading, Otalora said, is not only a form of enjoyment but also has academic benefits, specifically in her English class, which is why she continues to be interested.
Many newfound interests were caused by the loss of usual activities, such as hanging out with friends, sports, clubs, and going to school. CHS freshman Grace Tao turned to painting to pass the time.
“I had nothing better to do,” Tao said. “I started painting—I guess it just brought me relaxation and I like the creativity.”
Tao said that she is grateful to have discovered her inclination toward painting during that time. She also explained that she does not think that she would have started if it were not for the extreme boredom that the pandemic caused.
As well as students, teachers also took advantage of the quarantine, with many finding their way back to older hobbies. CHS English and history teacher Sam Greene found that lockdown also gave him more free time to read and listen to audiobooks, something that he has continued doing to this day.
“I read a lot more, just trying to break up screen time after spending all day on Zoom and then just sitting around on a phone,” Greene said. “I was recognizing that it wasn’t very healthy for me.”
Not only did he start reading more though, he also came back to another pastime.
“I’ve always enjoyed hiking and walking,” Greene said. “I definitely got to do that a lot more.”
Greene also shared the importance of his hobbies in how they affected his mindset throughout lockdown.
“That was an important part of getting out and not going crazy in the house,” Greene said. “It was also just a way to exercise and get the dog exercise.”
As the world moves farther and farther away from the COVID-19 lockdowns, these hobbies are continuous reminders of the surprising ways people adapt and find positives in even the most uncertain times.
