These Hobbyists Share the Benefits & Joy of Their Creative Outlets

I recently wrote an article on the power of revisiting a childhood hobby, and the many positive fruits it bears. It’s proven that doing something leisurely with your hands affects your mood, confidence, creativity, and even mental health! But don’t just take it from me, take it from these other individuals who have discovered fun activities to own as their hobbies, and how having a creative outlet has elevated and enriched their lives.

Related Story: How Creative Childhood Hobbies Can Help You Be a Better & Happier Adult

Kate Paras-Santiago (Beauty & Wellness Editor) on her miniatures hobby @katexminis

Kate Paras-Santiago (Metro Beauty & Wellness Editor) on her miniatures hobby

When did you start with miniatures?

I tried it during the thick of the pandemic, when I was really starting to get bored at home. I remember a friend of mine sharing her mini DIY house pre-pandemic, and I never really got around to trying it until I had that much time on my hands. I was able to finish my first DIY house in December 2021.

Why did you get into it?

I've always been fascinated by miniatures since I was a kid—I loved looking at those scaled-down models of buildings, houses, and villages, and vividly remember a miniature exhibit of the nativity in Greenhills when I was a child. I never really started getting serious about it until the pandemic, as I mentioned.

What did you discover about yourself when doing the activity?

That I love doing things with my hands, and that I have the patience for tedious tasks and projects such as those. I am a self-confessed neat freak, I love organizing my things, and making sure every little detail is in order, so I guess the tiny details of these miniatures are what truly drew me in. I also love how life-sized things can be scaled down to such a small size with such intricate detail and attention. It means someone took a lot of effort to make such a thing, and I admire that.

What are the positives that came with the hobby?

It helped clear my mind and helped me deal with my anxiety disorder. When I'd do my miniature kits, I'd listen to Christian podcasts and sermons, and that would greatly enrich my spiritual life. It is therapeutic in the sense that I was able to engage in an activity I love and at the same time it helped my brain relax and focus on God. I can't help but sneak this in here—'God is in the details', as the old adage goes.

Would you recommend it? Why?

I would recommend it for people who enjoy detailed projects with lots of tiny parts. If you live with children though, you should make a space that they won't reach, because it may be ruined by curious hands, or babies might swallow tiny parts. I also recommend it to people who have time on their hands or would like to practice the art of patience. Building a project from scratch gives you a great sense of accomplishment after you're done.

What are your favorite shops for miniature kits?

There are ready-made ones where you simply get to play with it, such as Japanese brands like Re-ment. You can buy these from resellers on Facebook. (Note: You can join the Facebook group RE-MENT PHILIPPINES). For miniature kits you build from scratch, there's a good place on Shopee called LIL' HAVEN.

Liz Lanuzo (Entrepreneur & Jewelry Designer) on sewing her own clothes

Liz Lanuzo (Entrepreneur & Jewelry Designer) on sewing her own clothes

When did you start sewing clothes for yourself? How did you learn?

I started sewing during the pandemic, about 2.5 years ago. Like everyone else, I got COVID, and so I thought that during the mandated isolation I should finally learn how to sew. It's something I've always wanted to do! I bought a cheap sewing machine on Shopee and just researched the process on YouTube. The rest, as they say, is history.

Why did you get into it?

I love bespoke clothing—I work with tailors and smaller local couturiers to have my clothes made. But I find that really expensive and it takes a lot of wait time to get the clothes just right. So why not just make my own during my free time?

What did you discover about yourself when doing the activity?

[I discovered] I have a LOT of patience. Sewing is easy but the process is long and much of it is repetitive. There's also a lot of math—not my favorite thing, haha!

What are the positives that came with the hobby?

It puts me in a meditative state. It keeps my head clear. I tend to get lost in social media for hours—something I'm trying to fix, slowly, so sewing helps me get out of that hole.

Would you recommend it? Why?

I absolutely recommend it! Few things are more satisfying than making items that you will love to use. I want people to make more things with their hands to understand how much labor and emotional investment goes into quality items. Maybe, like me, they will buy less things that are disposable and buy more things that are meant to be treasured.

Tips for those who want to start?Shopee/Lazada is your friend—everything is available there, from sewing machines, fabric, notions, even patterns and books about sewing. YouTube and Google have all the information you need, too. Have fun!

Related Story: The Importance of Awe

Louie De Leon (Advertising), on painting miniatures

Louie De Leon (Advertising), on painting miniatures

When did you start miniature painting?

How did you learn?I’ve started collecting, building, and painting miniatures since August of 2017. There was a video on YouTube that I stumbled upon teaching you how to get started in Warhammer 40,000 (a sci-fi franchise I've always had a keen interest in). From there I was led to other videos that gave me the confidence to take the plunge!

Why did you get into it?

Collecting tiny figurines has always been something me and my dad enjoyed. We collected plastic soldiers when I was younger and we'd depict various battles on my bedroom floor. We were always intimidated by those hand painted and detailed figures you'd see in expensive hobby shops. When I got the disposable income and some experience behind the brush as a watercolor painter, I decided to give it a go!

What did you discover about yourself when doing the activity?

Two things:

1. I don't enjoy mixing work with play. I used to try to make a career out of the hobby but eventually burnt myself out of something I enjoyed. It's good to have an activity that replenishes your soul after a long day of work.

2. The kid in me will never die. I'm a 32-year-old man working in the Out-of-Home advertising industry. Despite life's twists and turns, I'm still drawn to what I enjoyed as a kid.

What are the positives that came with the hobby?

1. Community! There are a lot like us here in the Philippines despite it being a niche thing. There are different ways to enjoy the hobby such as in building, painting, and playing with them (yes, there are actual game systems surrounding our toy soldiers). To have a set of friends bound by interest and not just school or work is something I believe everyone should have2. It's meditative and an awesome break from all the digital-ness of our lives. 3. All the cumulative time you put into the hobby turns into something you can see, feel, and touch! The longer you stay in the hobby the more models you collect, and when painted they become truly and uniquely yours.

Would you recommend it? Why?

Yes! Trying something for the first time is a good enough reason as any but also it is a very creative space. How you build, paint, and muster your armies in front of your opponent opens up many different ways to enjoy.

Tips for those who want to start?

Watch my YouTube channel! I'm trying to share with others the joy I've experienced in finding this hobby. My hope is to return the favor! Then join our community, Pilipintados on Facebook. Lots of us help each other learn and grow in our journeys!

Sharayah Cardenio (Professional Makeup Artist) on crocheting

Sharayah Cardenio (Professional Makeup Artist) on crocheting

When did you start crocheting?

How did you learn?I started in March 2022. I learned from YouTube, of course.

Why did you get into it?

It was all because I started to roller skate at the same time and I wanted to create a toe cap to guard my skates from getting scratched. I didn't want to buy a toe cap because I knew I could make my own, so I tried and succeeded!

Why did you consciously choose to NOT sell your works?

Because I knew that if I sold it, it would be 'overpriced' due to the long hours it takes to make one piece, and I don't want to sell myself short of what I know my time is worth. Plus, it takes too long to make and I don't want to be pressured to finish orders and lose the fun in the creation process, just because I need to finish orders fast.

Sharaya’s husband, Karlo, getting cozy in a crochet sweater made by his creative wife

Chapi, Sharaya’s pup (now in doggy heaven), looking cute in a crochet tux

What did you discover about yourself when doing the activity?

I was surprised to learn that I could actually create original pieces by learning from different sources. It was like taking different pieces of puzzles from others and smooshing them to create a unique masterpiece that was originally mine. I didn't know I had that kind of creativity and imagination that required a skillful assessment of micro details and making them into a single piece of perfection!

What are the positives that came with the hobby?

It's like detoxing my mental space when I crochet because I don't think about anything but counting and putting together the patterns. Plus, I get unique pieces of clothing that can't be found anywhere.

Would you recommend it? Why?

Yes. It's therapeutic and it helps hone your creativity all while being able to bring your imagination to life.

Tips for those who want to start?

Start small to avoid being overwhelmed with all the different types of designs you want to make. Be sure to have patience.

Related Story: Why We Need A Dopamine Detox

Sam Chan (Freelance Illustrator & Video Editor) on his toy photography 

Sam Chan (Freelance Illustrator & Video Editor) on his toy photography

When did you start toy photography?

How did you learn? I started in 2006. I was fascinated with taking photos and I was usually the one holding our family's digicam. I also had a certain collection of action figures so they became my source of practice. I eventually found out there were other people who also did it and were encouraged to do more. I learned through looking at other photographer's photos, their tutorials, and sometimes watching behind-the-scenes videos on practical effects used in old films (like Star Wars).

Why did you get into it?

I was an introvert back then, and practicing with real people was a struggle for me. I alsowanted to recreate action scenes from comics and movies with the figures I had and the feelingthat you were bringing toys to life (like Toy Story, haha!). Plus, as a collector of action figures, I didn't want them to just stay on the shelves and collect dust.

Sam’s toy photography featuring Ironman

What did you discover about yourself when doing the activity?

That I had a knack for photography; I realized I can get creative (if I wanted to).

What are the positives that came with the hobby?

It helps you improve photography skills in a more controlled space and helps you experiment (lighting, practical effects, etc.) that can be applied to professional photography. It gives you the sense of accomplishment, the feeling that you made that. For a brief moment, you gave life to the toys.

Would you recommend it? Why?

Yes, especially those who want to learn photography (reasons mentioned in the last question); it can be therapeutic and help you to get creative.

Sam recreating a Spiderman scene with toy photography

Tips for those who want to start?

You don't need a fancy camera or expensive lighting to start. You can start with your phone camera, and use USB LED lamps as your lighting, like the ones sold in Miniso or Daiso. What's important to learn first is framing, composition, and posing your figures.

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With these testimonies, I think it’s safe to say that having a hobby is an essential part of life. Whatever it may be, so long as it sparks joy and connects you with others and/or your inner self, it truly has the power to bring awe, more so, expand our internal worlds. Just like these hobbyists, perhaps it’s time for you to own a fun and leisurely activity, too, and see how it adds priceless value to your life.