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From the weird and wacky, to the wonderful and wholesome... what happened to all those hobbies we picked up during the pandemic?
Last week, the World Health Organisation announced the end of covid as a global health emergency.
Reminiscing about Netflix parties and baking banana bread, Express is taking a trip down memory lane to discover people's favourite pandemic pastimes – and to question whether people have continued with these hobbies after the world has opened up again...
The pandemic forced islanders to adjust their lifestyles and, as a result, many individuals found themselves with extra time on their hands which they used to explore new hobbies and interests.
From baking to Youtube workouts, these hobbies provided a sense of purpose and helped people cope with the stress of the pandemic.
Pictured: Everyone had a go at the whipped coffee TikTok trend.
First up, let's talk about whipped coffee... who knew instant coffee, sugar, and hot water could create such a fluffy and delicious drink?
Another trendy recipe that gained popularity was the vodka pasta, also known as 'Gigi Hadid pasta'. We're not sure if it was the vodka or the carbs, but this recipe took the world by storm.
For those of us who preferred to stay indoors, virtual platforms were a lifeline for some much-needed social interaction. Zoom quizzes, Netflix parties, and even online beer pong allowed us to connect with friends and have fun while adhering to social distancing guidelines.
Pictured: George returned to the island during lockdown, but kept in touch with his friends from university by playing 'Zoom pong' online.
But some people took lockdown hobbies to the next level and discovered new talents that they still continue to this day.
For Katy Fox, that hobby was macramé art – the practice of knotting cords or ropes to create stunning designs – which she still continues three years later.
After stumbling across macramé on social media, Katy decided to give it a go. Being in the high-risk group during the pandemic, she was advised not to leave her house even for exercise which left her with plenty of spare time to pursue this activity.
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Katy learned the art of macramé through @Createaholic's Instagram account, and bought books to learn the basic knots.
She ordered materials online and explained how she quickly discovered that “different types of rope and cord have different purposes, depending on the desired style”.
Her first project was a wall hanging, and from there, she made plant hangings, key-rings, and even a curtain.
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Pictured: Macramé artist and illustrator of three Macramé books, Fanny Zedenius, aka ‘Createaholic’
But for Katy, it’s not just about the end product but the process of creation and meditation.
She explained: “It’s a therapeutic activity that helps me stay focused and relaxed.”
Three years on, Katy still continues to practice macramé – not just to make gifts and stocking fillers, but also to relax her mind.
Now, Katy's not actively seeking out business, but her friends and colleagues can't get enough of her creations.
“Plant hangings and key-rings are my most popular items," she said.
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So there you have it. Whether we were whipping coffee or knotting rope, we found a way to keep ourselves busy during lockdown.
And who knows, maybe we'll all discover our hidden talents the next time we're stuck at home...
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