The Cure for Long Days and Short Years

As the saying goes, “the days are long but the years are short.” This sentiment is applicable for all ages and demographics, but as a college student this can especially feel true. With the amount of overly-long lectures and assignments packed into a normal weekday, on top of other activities, it can make getting through the day feel like powering up a never-ending mountain.

Often, our default method to deal with this uphill conflict is to just go through the motions and try to survive to the weekend. But in doing this we can neglect so much of the time we do have to experience something new or get involved in an activity that can be relaxing or bring joy. A result of this is later feeling a sense of regret for missed opportunities to do more and see more once we finally take a chance to look back and see how much time has passed by without acting on it. Fortunately, there is a remedy to this and all it requires is an open mind. 

Discovering new and interesting hobbies to immerse yourself in can brighten up some empty voids throughout your day and make you feel more energized and passionate about the week. Instead of just waking up and following the same routine of each week day, you can spice it up a bit and implement some new personal activities you find enjoyable. 

Here at The Edge, we have some beginner friendly hobby suggestions that can get you on your way to finding more engaging ways to fill your time.

Fitness Fun

Believe it or not, exercising can be a simple hobby that doesn’t involve too much work or planning. Whether that's going out for a walk, hitting the gym, taking a yoga class, or playing an intramural sport, you can keep your body active while having a ton of fun. 

Strategy Games 

Instead of falling into the dopamine trap of scrolling through your phone during moments of down time, you can supplement it by playing games that involve strategy or critical thinking skills. A popular choice for many is chess, but the list is endless if you're open to different options. Scrabble, Dominos, Boggle, and Checkers can bring people together while passing the time.

Photography and Journaling

A great way to be present in the moment is to capture it. This can be done through many ways, but two of our favorites at the Edge are photographing it and writing it down. Taking a picture of what you see can allow you to share that experience with others and allow you to re-experience it for yourself as well. It can also become a casual activity you find enjoyment in because you are visually capturing a moment of your day. 

Being able to put those moments into words however is just as powerful and you can be as expressive with it as you want. Journaling is a great way to capture those precious moments in life, and it can center you in your thoughts and emotions while strengthening your writing skills at the same time.

These are just a few suggestions to add to your list of fun hobbies. Let us know some of your personal favorites @theedgemag.