By Cameron Castelli, Contributing Writer
Busy! Busy! Busy! There are so many things to do in a day, but there will always be that one thing to look forward to doing when a break arises.
Everyone has special activities that they love to do in their free time. For many people it may be listening to new music, reading a good book, or throwing a ball around. But for some, their hobbies are a little more niche.
Gyllian Ervin, a sophomore, and clinical and counseling psychology major at Saint Leo University, is actively involved with archery. She has been shooting since she was 8 years old and has continued this hobby for 11 years. After seeing the first Hunger Games movie, she was gifted a compound bow the following Christmas.
“My dad and I would go to a range together almost every weekend for years,” said Ervin. She continues to play the sport because it brings back valuable memories of those times spent with her father.
Ervin also competes in archery competitions, stating that the challenge fills her with adrenaline “because the slightest change in the wind could debate whether you win or lose.”
Along with her own competitions, Ervin has assisted in the Special Olympics, helping the athletes with their own shooting practice.
The quietness of the sport, being able to narrow the mind down to a single moment, allows for peace to come over the archer.
“Archery seems oddly difficult at first, like the arrow is never going to go where you want it to go, or even where it looks like it’s going to go. Just take a deep breath and feel the wind; the clearer your mind, the better the shot,” said Ervin.
Kayla Caicedo, a sophomore majoring in clinical psychology at Saint Leo University, enjoys weaving baskets. She weaved baskets from when she was 11 to 16 years old, inspired by her elementary school art teacher.
“I use yarn mostly and it takes me about five hours to make a mini one or eight to ten hours for a large one” said Caicedo.
By using a loom and weaving patterns of yarn through it, a stunning basket can be created; they can add the final additions to any room that needs some sprucing up.
Basket weaving requires patience and a creative spark to see the vision of the final product.
“I would recommend this hobby to anybody that would appreciate and would love to learn discipline, patience and have something fun to do” said Caicedo.
It passes time in a pleasurable manor and at the end, you are left with a satisfying accomplishment.
“It’s a hobby that kept me busy throughout middle school and entertained during COVID” said Caicedo.
Haley Weaver, a sophomore majoring in business marketing at Saint Leo University, is a passionate cosplayer. She started this hobby in 2015 but stated that she was always charmed by the notion of Halloween costumes.
“When I found there was a hobby about [dressing up]based off of Japanese traditions and subculture, I was super passionate about it,” said Weaver.
She uses all recycled material for her cosplays. Weaver gets most of her outfit pieces from thrift stores or from Amazon and uses PVC pipe, papier mâché, or cardboard to cultivate her props.
“People say cosplaying is expensive, but you don’t have to find the best pieces out there, you can thrift and buy ten-dollar wigs from Amazon,” said Weaver.
Weaver has even received recognition from the original actors of her cosplay via social media.
“Cosplaying is expression… I feel like I can be most myself putting on my favorite character’s outfit,” said Weaver.
This innovative hobby has allowed her to become more confident and find rewarding ways to spend her free time.
“It has helped me grow more comfortable in my own skin and not be afraid to express different sides of myself, to try new things,” said Weaver.
New and beautiful opportunities can arise from being involved in a unique hobby. Self- discovery, meditation, or extending help to others may become available when one submerges themselves into a fun new activity. There are so many exceptional pastimes that call to the artists, actors, and athletes in everyone. Perhaps, someone will find their calling in these unique hobbies next.
