Discovering New Hobbies During The Pandemic

Discovering New Hobbies During The Pandemic

 

One of the many trails available to explore in New Brunswick.

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken away many aspects of our day-to-day lives. Whether it be socializing amongst friends in a crowded room, or attending in-person classes with fellow classmates, the past year or so has fundamentally changed how we go about our days.

Because of this, many of us have taken up new hobbies to pass the time. For some, card collecting has become a popular hobby, as the demand for rare sporting cards continues to grow. Others have found that our current predicament is the perfect time to learn something new, such as an instrument. Covid-19 is most commonly spread indoors, which is why activities such as hiking have become more popular in the past year.

Whether you are strolling through O’Dell Park and its abundance of trails or finding your own way through a seemingly endless forest, there’s something for everyone. This pandemic has allowed us to enjoy the smaller things in life, such as appreciating the scenery our province has to offer.

A possible reason as to why hiking has increased so drastically in popularity this year is simply because it requires no previous experience. Unlike activities such as skiing or snowboarding, you don’t have to worry about shaking the rust off when it comes to hiking. Hikes can vary drastically in intensity and difficulty, but its fundamentals rely on basic functions we learn at a young age, making it accessible to pros and newbies alike.

Edward Michael has taken up hiking recently, as he feels it is more important now than ever to find ways to distract yourself and take cover from the clouds which have loomed over us during this pandemic.

“It’s a great activity to do. It allows me to get some fresh air and also limits the ability for the virus to spread.” Says Michael.

Experiencing the outdoors allows us to get some much-needed time away from home, especially during times like these. It is a great stress reliever and presents us with a healthy activity to do with friends and family, or alone, whichever it is you prefer.

A self-made shelter for onlookers to see.

Michael says he hopes to continue going on hikes well after the pandemic, as he feels it would be beneficial to add to his everyday routine.

“My goal is to implement this into my day-to-day life. The pandemic has allowed me to explore many different hobbies and experiences, and I think this one, in particular, would be excellent to continue pursuing.” Says Michael.

As we await the rollout of the various vaccines, it seems as though we will continue to search for new and exciting hobbies such as hiking, and to be honest, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.