View Full Version : COVID hobbies?
Ultralight
10-13-20, 1:50am
During COVID I have been locked down, really staying in my apartment most of the time. And working from home.
And I intend to be very strict about this all fall and winter while it is cold and the infection rates are surging.
So back in April, after I have watched every episode of Star Trek (Original and Next Generation) I decided I needed a covid hobby.
I bought a guitar, a cheap telecaster. Now, I played a little in high school and a fair amount in college, mostly acoustic. So I kinda remembered the chords and scales, but it had been like 15 years since I played.
Each day I practice for a couple hours or so -- learning some folk rock and some blues.
It has been fun and challenging and I am sure I have annoyed my neighbors a couple times, but hey... if its too loud, you're too old! haha
What have you all been doing to pass the time during COVID?
iris lilies
10-13-20, 8:41am
Working on real estate improvement projects and gardens.
Our retired lives slowed down with Covid, and our regular hobby groups stopped meeting. I toyed with the idea of taking this opportunity to drive to the east coast to sight see and to also visit graves of ancient relatives, but instead a bought a condo and we are now doing work on it.
SteveinMN
10-13-20, 9:47am
Just laying low here. Our dancing stopped, our volunteer activities stopped, visits to our grandkids (largely) stopped (they're in too big a bubble). DW retired in May and is tackling little projects that just got pushed back while she was working. I'd like to look back on these past months and say I got a good start on some new project or skill, but about all I've got is a newfound discipline in being able to do two weeks worth of grocery shopping without breathing all the time I'm in the store (j/k).
I have become an ardent seed collector and now have little bags everywhere to go through this winter. I enjoy researching what plant they came from (if I don't know) and how best to plant and grow. Cooking, gardening, redecorating, reading and walking. I intend to get back to artwork when the snow flies.
catherine
10-13-20, 10:14am
Sewing... I guess. After making my DD's wedding dress, I had the "muscle memory" return in terms of how relaxing and absorbing and creative sewing is. So I'm on my quest to find my next sewing machine, and I'm looking forward to taking on my next project. I've joined a couture club online.
I was permanently laid off from a long term job at the end of March. Didn’t find a new one until July. Started mid-August. I did a lot of reading. Wrote letters to friends. Searched for a job. Got a spare bike someone had for free and rode in the nearby nature preserve as weather allowed. Kept up my scuba diving. Went to WI, MI, OH, as well as my local diving hole in IL.
rosarugosa
10-13-20, 11:18am
I don't think I would say I have developed any new hobbies, but rather lifestyle practices. I took a wonderful online course "The Science of Well-Being," and I think I would go so far as to say that course can be life-changing. I have meditated every day for the past 5 months and I think my mindfulness "muscles" are becoming more well-developed. I push myself to speak up when I have something nice to say and to execute on acts of kindness rather than pondering them into oblivion.
We didn't go away this year, but we challenged ourselves to find and enjoy local destinations. We visited 3 estates with amazing gardens that were new to us, as well as visited some old favorites like the Gloucester waterfront gardens and the bird sanctuary on Plum Island.
DH took 6 months off work, so we got the wonderful opportunity to be together all the time, and we actually loved it.
We spent a fair bit of time and money on gardening and bird food and really enjoyed our own backyard more than ever.
ToomuchStuff
10-13-20, 11:33am
Hobbies, who has time for hobbies?
Shutdown was announced on my day off, and the owner working at the time, shut down the business, wondering what the restrictions were. We are exempt/essential.
Business went down to 90% for around ten days and one company came in and spent thousands to give to their employee's.
Then we were in the paper (online), Local news spotted it before print and put us on. Covid hours were going to be shorter, but between all the above, business increased to 200% and we didn't even make it to covid hours (running out of stuff, daily, no extra storage room)
I am the go get guy, and with our hours, what ended up happening, is I went shopping at some places that both work and parents go, and my parents went to the grocery store for me and we swapped stuff. While some of our help, worked less hours, they were paid the same. My hours, slightly increased. Between the closure and first of June, and extra $8K.
Sometime between March and April, a friend who moved for wife's job, went into the doctor for not feeling well. Diagnosed with Cancer with at best a couple months, he lived days. Family couldn't have a service.
Late June, early July, I walk out, as the owner from earlier, has been taking off without saying anything, going home, drinking and comes back, only long enough for me to eat. I have no idea where he is and there are things he is needed for. The brothers and business partners, talk and the other starts dialysis.
August hits and the first one goes in for surgery. Two days after surgery, I go in early and we are trying to get in touch with someone else to go in early as partner two received the call he can go in early. We get the call that partner one is dead, we leave, I lock up and still beat partner two in the house. Paramedics are working, but the body is cold, he is gone. We started making the phone calls.
The next day, five other people we knew, passed.
I've taken over, bill paying, been working with the accountant and tax man (quarterly's) and trying to find things that have disappeared, due to the owners not keeping on top of things (diabetes affecting mind).
Been asked to move into Partner ones house, and taken care of the pet. The gal that was living there, taking care of him, can't handle staying in the house, overnight. His brother has been coming down, before of after dialysis. I've been helping clear out the house as well.
There are several things up in the air, I am becoming an owner of the business, I may be buying the house, and have a whole new set of responsibilities. (trying to change the style of management, from Crisis management, or organized).
Who has time for hobbies?
Teacher Terry
10-13-20, 11:51am
Wow what a mess. I hope things work out well TMS.
catherine
10-13-20, 11:57am
TMS, so sorry! That is terrible. I hope you get some relief.
Ultralight!
I was wondering about your situation just last week.
I’ve been off work since July 10 with Covid. Long slow recovery - I’m at about 80% now. Maybe I’ll return to work in November?
Here’s an article on long Covid:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ill-abandoned-unable-to-access-help-living-with-long-covid
Husband and I are watching all 5 seasons of Babylon 5. Great fun.
Amped up my needlework output. Took on a longterm project. I'll post when I finish. It's kind of a dreamscape.
Simplemind
10-13-20, 2:25pm
The yard and garden take up a lot of our time in the spring and summer so there was that. I've been working on my watercolor cards which I've used to keep in contact with our Meals on Wheels clients and friends. I've also been working on cards for the holidays. We have been catching up on series that we missed the first time around since new content is scarce. As a passive hobby, I was letting my hair grow for giggles and wasn't going to get it cut until Covid was over. I didn't make it. I just had about 10 inches chopped off.
happystuff
10-14-20, 10:22am
Terminated from job in March and just got a new one about a week ago. Very physical and 2nd shift - which I'm new to - so I'm still adjusting to all that. Prior to new job, increased decluttering around the house, increased in my crocheting and reading. Actually the reading tied in with the decluttering. Didn't feel like I could get rid of some books until I read them - lol. Also gardened a little more seriously this year. Definitely a gardening newbie, but really enjoy it!
Elder care from afar has been consuming all of my spare time in recent months. Lots of phone calls, internet research, and road trips.
Ultralight
10-14-20, 10:46pm
Working on real estate improvement projects and gardens.
Our retired lives slowed down with Covid, and our regular hobby groups stopped meeting. I toyed with the idea of taking this opportunity to drive to the east coast to sight see and to also visit graves of ancient relatives, but instead a bought a condo and we are now doing work on it.
That is definitely a project!
Ultralight
10-14-20, 10:46pm
Just laying low here.
No shame in that game. :)
Ultralight
10-14-20, 10:47pm
Got a spare bike someone had for free and rode in the nearby nature preserve as weather allowed.
Nice! That is some simple living technique!
Ultralight
10-14-20, 10:49pm
Hobbies, who has time for hobbies?
Shutdown was announced on my day off, and the owner working at the time, shut down the business, wondering what the restrictions were. We are exempt/essential.
Business went down to 90% for around ten days and one company came in and spent thousands to give to their employee's.
Then we were in the paper (online), Local news spotted it before print and put us on. Covid hours were going to be shorter, but between all the above, business increased to 200% and we didn't even make it to covid hours (running out of stuff, daily, no extra storage room)
I am the go get guy, and with our hours, what ended up happening, is I went shopping at some places that both work and parents go, and my parents went to the grocery store for me and we swapped stuff. While some of our help, worked less hours, they were paid the same. My hours, slightly increased. Between the closure and first of June, and extra $8K.
Sometime between March and April, a friend who moved for wife's job, went into the doctor for not feeling well. Diagnosed with Cancer with at best a couple months, he lived days. Family couldn't have a service.
Late June, early July, I walk out, as the owner from earlier, has been taking off without saying anything, going home, drinking and comes back, only long enough for me to eat. I have no idea where he is and there are things he is needed for. The brothers and business partners, talk and the other starts dialysis.
August hits and the first one goes in for surgery. Two days after surgery, I go in early and we are trying to get in touch with someone else to go in early as partner two received the call he can go in early. We get the call that partner one is dead, we leave, I lock up and still beat partner two in the house. Paramedics are working, but the body is cold, he is gone. We started making the phone calls.
The next day, five other people we knew, passed.
I've taken over, bill paying, been working with the accountant and tax man (quarterly's) and trying to find things that have disappeared, due to the owners not keeping on top of things (diabetes affecting mind).
Been asked to move into Partner ones house, and taken care of the pet. The gal that was living there, taking care of him, can't handle staying in the house, overnight. His brother has been coming down, before of after dialysis. I've been helping clear out the house as well.
There are several things up in the air, I am becoming an owner of the business, I may be buying the house, and have a whole new set of responsibilities. (trying to change the style of management, from Crisis management, or organized).
Who has time for hobbies?
You are definitely dealing with a lot. I hope things improve.
Ultralight
10-14-20, 10:50pm
Ultralight!
I was wondering about your situation just last week.
I’ve been off work since July 10 with Covid. Long slow recovery - I’m at about 80% now. Maybe I’ll return to work in November?
Here’s an article on long Covid:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ill-abandoned-unable-to-access-help-living-with-long-covid
Husband and I are watching all 5 seasons of Babylon 5. Great fun.
Whoa... I am sorry you are going thru this. Long covid is frightening.
Babylong 5...? Should I consider watching it?
Ultralight
10-14-20, 10:51pm
Definitely a gardening newbie, but really enjoy it!
Excellent!:)
If you like Star Trek, you should like Babylon 5. I love it.
Chicken lady
10-17-20, 10:46am
Teaching remotely all spring was hell. Cried a lot. Spent the first half of the summer on the garden and the second half split between the new grandbaby and the farm.
I’m currently back in the classroom with kids, so I can now only look at the grandbaby outside from a distance. Working on putting up the last of the harvest and filling the freezer with ice cream and cheese before the goats dry up.
new hobbies include reporting coworkers for violating anti-covid policies, listing kids for parent contact about noncompliance, coaching kids on proper mask wearing and general hygiene, excessive hand washing, fighting with dh about my job, and watching health department statistics. Good times.
edited to add - also doing yoga five days a week in an attempt to mitigate stress.
rosarugosa
10-17-20, 2:48pm
I'm sorry, CL. That sounds painful.
happystuff
10-17-20, 5:27pm
Hugs to you CL! I hope things get easier for you.
happystuff
10-17-20, 5:35pm
Sleep deprived brain so don't know if I've posted these elsewhere or not, but these are the latest covid-creation:
34673468
The first are premmie items, the second is a little toddler dress.
Teacher Terry
10-17-20, 10:38pm
Happy, those are so cute!
Teaching remotely all spring was hell. Cried a lot. Spent the first half of the summer on the garden and the second half split between the new grandbaby and the farm.
I’m currently back in the classroom with kids, so I can now only look at the grandbaby outside from a distance. Working on putting up the last of the harvest and filling the freezer with ice cream and cheese before the goats dry up.
new hobbies include reporting coworkers for violating anti-covid policies, listing kids for parent contact about noncompliance, coaching kids on proper mask wearing and general hygiene, excessive hand washing, fighting with dh about my job, and watching health department statistics. Good times.
edited to add - also doing yoga five days a week in an attempt to mitigate stress.
I’m so sorry. What grade do you teach?
rosarugosa
10-18-20, 6:47am
Happy, that is beautiful work!
Chicken lady
10-18-20, 7:28am
Tradd - all of them.
small alternative school in which I am something of a jack of many trades. This year: Clay based art classes for ages 6-18 (5 y.o.s are in the “preschool” this year) classes on farming and agriculture ages 9-18, first and second grade social studies, and three after school clubs including ages 10-18.
happystuff
10-18-20, 9:45am
Thanks!
Sleep deprived brain so don't know if I've posted these elsewhere or not, but these are the latest covid-creation:
34673468
The first are premmie items, the second is a little toddler dress.
How sweet are those?!!!
CL, I'm so glad to see you back on here. I don't know how you do it and am so sorry that this pandemic has made things even harder. How is the yoga helping? I hope a LOT.
Chicken lady
10-21-20, 9:48pm
Hi nswef, thanks.
the yoga is helping some.
the imposition of strict scheduling, routines, and boundaries, of which yoga is a part, is helping.
Today I made it through a whole day including a hybrid online class without needing to call tech support.
i am tired a lot and short on reserves.
I’ve shortened this several times due to the boundaries/reserves issues, but I do appreciate your kind words.
Teacher Terry
10-22-20, 12:31am
This virus is so hard on kids and I feel sorry for them and the teachers.
happystuff
10-23-20, 10:32am
This virus is so hard on kids and I feel sorry for them and the teachers.
Me, too! To be honest, I'm soooo glad to not be parenting younger children now with the decisions to be made re: schooling, etc.
Me, too! To be honest, I'm soooo glad to not be parenting younger children now with the decisions to be made re: schooling, etc.
My daughter holds down a full-time job, takes her 10-year-old to work with her (she's lucky she can do this) and has a little schoolwork area for her in her office. She runs her to gymnastics 3 times a week. She also has an 18-yr-old on the autism spectrum who is in an online transition program at home (by himself all day) that she has to worry about and monitor his stuff remotely and by phone. I help her out with him. Her husband telecommutes in a city about 2 hr away M-Th.
I've watched her age in the last 7 months.
Teacher Terry
10-23-20, 2:12pm
Kay, your daughter has a lot on her plate. That sounds awful.
happystuff
10-24-20, 11:51am
Kay, wow to your dd! Hugs and well-wishes to her that things go smoothly with everything going on!
Reading. This "indoor phase" has allowed me to read more than I ever imagined. I also started finding easy and quick recipes to make so I have more control over what I swallow and digest, rather than letting more convenient and corrosive food take over. I'm shocked at how many ways one can cook garbanzo beans. I've also sought out new forums to post on, such as this one.
rosarugosa
10-28-20, 2:46pm
Reading. This "indoor phase" has allowed me to read more than I ever imagined. I also started finding easy and quick recipes to make so I have more control over what I swallow and digest, rather than letting more convenient and corrosive food take over. I'm shocked at how many ways one can cook garbanzo beans. I've also sought out new forums to post on, such as this one.
I've done a lot of reading too, and I was very happy when my library re-opened for curbside pickup. Luckily I had quite a pile of books to hold me over while they were closed. I fear that's going to be another permanent effect of the Covid times, not only will I always stock way too much toilet paper going forward, but I will always keep a largish stash of books to read. Books and TP will get special decluttering dispensation.
happystuff
10-29-20, 11:18am
Books and TP will get special decluttering dispensation.
LOL - love this.
Same here with the books!
Teacher Terry
10-29-20, 1:08pm
I do a ton of reading but just download books to my phone. I did buy one at a used bookstore on vacation last week.
Rediscovering Shakespeare's work in lockdown. Started with Macbeth (https://www.ipl.org/topics/Macbeth). Hamlet is next in line.
rosarugosa
12-1-20, 6:39am
Rediscovering Shakespeare's work in lockdown. Started with Macbeth (https://www.ipl.org/topics/Macbeth). Hamlet is next in line.
One of the best uses of time that I can imagine!
Teacher Terry
12-1-20, 10:22am
The only hobby I have is knitting. I am not creative. I read and play games but have been more sedentary without getting out except for my daily walk.
catherine
12-1-20, 11:57am
One of the best uses of time that I can imagine!
I agree!! What a great use of time!
In the beginning we bought a new house and spent most of the time remodeling. Now I’m trying out fishing. Last weekend I took my son and grandson out.
We had fresh fish for supper the next day.
3500
we did throw that one back, but caught many more.
In the beginning we bought a new house and spent most of the time remodeling. Now I’m trying out fishing. Last weekend I took my son and grandson out.
We had fresh fish for supper the next day.
3500
we did throw that one back, but caught many more.
Great picture! And great fun for both you and your family! I really fought against getting a pontoon boat when we moved up here, but DH won, and to be honest, it's been great. One of the highlights of recent years for my son was catching a salmon with DH.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.