I think we could all agree when I say that the isolation induced by this year has sucked. “One-off” Guilty pleasures such as the occasional Netflix binge or the whole day playing games on your day off have become less of a one-off and have become more and more regular in their occurrence. I can vividly remember that in about the middle of April I had spent several days doing nothing but waking up, showering, eating my breakfast then planting myself on the couch for just about the entire day. At first it felt pretty neat but eventually, I began to hate it but had nothing else to really do: what else could I do? Many of my housemates were doing the same thing but in their own room. It was effectively finding myself stuck back in a depressive cycle much like the ones I had found myself in during my on battles with depression a few years ago.
It was then that a good friend began to ask me questions about a hobby I used to be into back when I was younger: Warhammer 40k, a tabletop gaming hobby by Games Workshop that people can either play matches with or just collect & paint miniatures. I had gotten out of the hobby not long after moving out of home mainly due to its more expensive nature but was happy to provide my friend with information on how to get into it. Then another close friend began asking questions and before I knew it, I found myself at the local Tabletop Gaming & Cards shop helping them pick stuff out, being heavily “encouraged” to get back into it, finally capitulating and getting a box for myself and some of the tools to make & paint models of my own.
I have to say, the effects of getting back into the hobby has been beyond what I could have expected: research shows that the benefits of having a hobby include the ability to take a break from something but with purpose & the chemical effects doing something that brings joy has on your body. It’s even helped with my Zoom classes & meetings as the ability to casually paint something while intently listening to my classes has doubled my attention span. Now, I’m not going to say everyone should get into Warhammer (thought it IS pretty awesome being able to make and paint stuff with your hands) but I would definitely say that a hobby is necessary now more than ever.