When a project is completely your own, there are no true deadlines, and you choose when to show up, which can also be challenging. At the same time, as students, our wellbeing often falls to the bottom of our list of priorities, leading us to neglect the hobbies that help us recharge.
The only way to get around the challenges is to push yourself to start. Setting goals helps to keep track of our progress and more conscious of time. Although I'm a complete beginner, my goal this exam season is to make a matching bonnet hood and handwarmer set. Having this goal has made me more intentional with my time. I now set aside dedicated knitting time, which guarantees moments of leisure and gives me the chance to think about more than just deadlines.
With so many other priorities in life, a passion project can sometimes feel like just extra work or even a waste of time. That’s why it has to be something you actually care about, so it feels fun and relaxing instead of just another thing on your to-do list. Lucky for me, I’ve made my project interesting by knitting with my sister, who started a month before me. Compared to me, she's a lot more go-with-the-flow and often reminds me that it's okay to mess up or even need to start again. Our best knitting hangout spot is IKEA before getting food, we catch up and she gives me a few pointers.
On campus, I love knitting at the Take Time Out Hubs because I get to participate in activities and also enjoy free snacks. When at home, it's a good break from coursework. I also, like to re-watch my favourite shows and once knitting feels a bit more automatic, I plan on watching some new shows as well!