By Yamila García

Often, when we talk about hobbies, we refer to things that are playful, entertaining, and enjoyable. However, while my hobbies also bring me “joy,” I feel that, many times, my hobbies are a refuge. My hobbies not only bring me joy, but they are also soothing and sometimes even grounding. They help me recover when my social battery has been completely drained, organize my thoughts, and become “functional” again after extreme situations. 

Recently, inspired by a neurodivergent friend, I decided to learn to crochet. I started with something super simple, like a beanie, following a video tutorial. I liked that the hand movements were repetitive, so I quickly learned to do them by heart. The rhythm took me to a state of zero anxiety; rhythm and repetition have always brought me calm. I could crochet for hours, no matter what I’m making, just for the sake of continuing—repeating the steps without stopping while my mind frees itself from the anxiety and exhaustion of the day.  

This made me think about how many times I’ve heard people underestimate others’ hobbies, completely unaware of how important they can be in helping us process the emotions of everyday life. Hobbies can even help us develop more complex ideas by simply grounding us and allowing us to think more clearly, without so much clutter in our heads. Hobbies are not just games; they can be a way to take care of ourselves and heal.