Hey Pandas, What's A Hobby You Took Up Just Because You Had Nothing To Do During Covid And You Ended Up Loving It?

Oil painting. Although I was always into art. Can't say it was due to the pandemic. May have gotten into it either way.

I began volunteering with a nonprofit called Letters Against Isolation. Founded by 2 teenagers who simply wanted to ensure seniors didn’t want to feel alone during the pandemic, they now have multiple volunteers who write letters to seniors worldwide. I write to 3 assisted facilities in my area of the United States each Sunday and have done for a year and a half already. I love participating in this program. I may not meet the residents I write but I enjoy volunteering with LAI.

Kind of a hobby, and it may be childish, but Animal Crossing.
I started playing during Covid, beginning with a desert island.
Now, I have a 5 star island!

Photo colorizing. I love history, art, and I have some Photoshop skills. It's very calming to just deep dive into it while listening to music.

1. Video games. I've always played video games but they've always been things like Minecraft or something, but now I'm into actual games like Smash Bros, Zelda games, Hollow Knight, Animal Crossing, and some more. No online games only because my parents won't let me.

2. Huge Lego builds. I've loved Legos and building with them since I was little, but I was always either too busy or too worried to try to do a big build. Then I got super bored and built a campsite and it was super cool. Now I'm planning on how to do a castle.

Crocheting. I've already made a scarf, a tie for my cat, and many bracelets

Diamond painting. I tried coloring, but my anxiety made it too difficult (obsessing over what color to make things). I made fun of diamond painting before I tried it, tbh, but then I just needed something to do that would help me relax. I got a cheap kit to start and was absolutely hooked. I started with square "drills" which are thought of as more difficult because I didn't know any better and now that's all I do- the round drills don't cover the canvas as well. I've done two and now I'm doing a huge one for my husband's office. I've invested in better supplies (a better one for my arthritic hands, loops to see the canvas, scented wax, a 3d printed drill tray) and it really enhanced my enjoyment
I never thought that it would be something I would get into, but it's really relaxing.

3D Diamond Painting. It requires a good eye, but I find it quite relaxing to do while listening to podcasts.

Making bracelets and jewelry, I should sellmy Jewelry I make and then get money to buy more supplies for jewelry making and a nice treat for my parents.

drawing people as emojis! i know it sounds sorta weird but yeah. i can draw ur face as any of the emojis. it started when i was so bored that i drew emojis. then i added hair. and that pretty much explains it!

im pretty good at doing it. it helps me express my emotions.

and i always find myself doing it in my free time. not a talent though, just something i always do for fun.

unrelated really, but my sister loves making memojis and bitmojis of people on her phone.

Hand embroidery. Everyone got a piece directly related to them or their personality for Christmas. I'm working on my first commission piece right now and I love it. Never thought a hobby could make me so happy.

photography! During lockdown I got a camera and became really into nature photography! It’s a hobby I reallly recommend and it’s very creative

Apex Legends, I mean it’s a game but gaming is a hobby!

Sewing. My grandmother gave me her old machine now I want to start a business! Love makeing clothing and practical items- potholders, etc.

I started sewing. I made hundreds of masks. Now I make aprons and shopping bags.

Photography and podcasts
I bought my camera in March 2021 (it broke in december '21) and i absolutely loved it!! I spent pretty much all day outside with it
Podcasts? I listened to some already but with all the ads and all i decided to try some new ones, through which I found Six Minutes (y'all HAVE to check it out!!!) andnow i've listened to most of GZM podcasts. And I've found several new ones (i found a couple kid friendly news ones that are great!)

Indoor gardening. I had never attempted growing herbs and vegetables at home because I used to travel too much to keep them alive. Or so I thought. I'm still keeping up with it even though traveling is now back on the table. Just need to plan ahead and plant things that can bear fruit before the next trip. For example this year I planted snow peas early in February so they were already done in May, because I knew I'd be gone for a month starting from mid May. Next I'll be planting some chilies and tomatoes that take longer, because I know I'll be around to water them at least until the new years

Not really a new hobby, but the lockdowns gave me move time toscas all the family photos on to my computer and write up some family history notes. l inherited a lot from my grandad but I'm trying to organize them in away that makes more sense to me. Also, the albums he had a lot of photos in had deteriorated.

Working. While everyone else was off work getting extra money and getting hobbies, they told me and sooo many others, “oh no no no! You have to go to work! If you want to pay yours bills and feed your family you risk your life and go to work!”
So I did. I didn’t end up loving it tho.

Watching Chinese and Korean dramas! It inspired me to start learning a foreign language!