Rediscovery: Making space to create

Saturday’s epic sunset viewed from River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Julie Shoemaker Photo)

2020: It's been a mountain to climb. But along the way, it's also been a year of rediscovery. In many cases, people are once again enjoying hobbies and talents they drifted away from years ago. After COVID hit, they had the time for it while being stuck at home. For some, those rediscovered activities still persist into the colder months, as they became part of their routine.

In my case, tennis was the choice, starting part-way through the summer and into the fall. A friend and I started playing at least once a week, often on a Saturday. That is the sport I love to play most, and it felt great to revisit the hardcourt. Not only did it add more fun and exercise to life, it also broke up the weekly routine by taking me away from the desk for a long stretch — which was a good and healthy thing. Being outside is always better than hours in front of screens, however productive the screen time might be.

Many other folks can relate, as well. Around the world, people have revisited favorites ranging from soccer to drawing and sewing, this CNN report shares. In many cases, these activities had been abandoned in favor of work and home life. Today, it seems a lot of people have reinvigorated their lives through hobbies and talents previously shelved. Perhaps they can help cultivate positive energy, strengthen purpose and be a force for overall progress in life. Such influences are important, especially now, and they can be the light that guides us through darker days. Finding new-old ways to enjoy life unlocks inspiration and sparks our creativity in exciting ways. Having more of those experiences gives us motivation to reach new heights, and helps us look forward and make progress. In short, it opens up more space for the best in all of us to shine. That's the kind of viewpoint we all could use more often.

— Gareth Henderson