What Hobbies Did You Have That You Don’t Do Anymore?

Heya,

Like most girls as kids, the love for playing with dolls and kitchen sets was a universal passion, and I was no exception. We, a group of like-minded friends in our neighborhood, gathered every other weekend to indulge in these joie de vivre. Our play themes ranged from family dramas with parent-child interactions, teachers and students, all the way to restaurant experiences with diners and waitstaff. We mirrored the lives we observed in our surroundings, be it a typical school setup or a domestic scene where we took care of stuffed babies as if they were real.

Role-Playing with Barbies and Kitchen Sets

The joy of role-playing was immense. If we were to act as students and teachers, the teacher would transform her attire into a traditional salwar kameez wrapped as a saree, complete with a churni or long scarf. Each student received their own notebooks and homework assignments. A makeshift blackboard with chalk stood ready for the teacher to jot down sums like 23 75, typically for a math class. A student was then called upon to solve the sum on the blackboard. Then, we would transition to English class, with a new teacher appearing and the previous one sitting as a student amidst others.

English class was also a highlight, where each student held their rhymes book, prepared to recite aloud as called by the teacher. We even had a designated slot for our drawing classes, where we drew simple landscapes with mountains, rivers, and crows flying over ridges.

The family play incorporated stuffed dolls as real babies, with one friend donning a father's role with a drawn mustache and another playing the mother with a bindi and saree. In the kitchen scene, we would request our mothers for flour and use plastic utensils to make small rotis. These creations were served on our miniature plastic plates, and we would even treat ourselves to a 'desert' made from sugar, reminiscent of real treats.

Simpler Times, Lost in the Haze of Growing Up

Life was simpler back then, with just home and school. Our days were filled with completing small homework assignments, allowing us to play freely. There were no smartphones to disrupt us, no social dramas to engage in, no social media to follow. Our parents were content to watch us play and let us enjoy our innocence without unnecessarily filming or uploading our moments on YouTube.

However, as I reflect and write, these simpler times have passed. We have grown up, and the camaraderie we shared has waned. Now, when we meet, we hardly converse as we once did. Instead, we play the roles of adults in our own lives, busy with our own responsibilities and lives. The innocence and joy of those childhood hobbies are now a distant memory, no longer enjoyed as part of our daily lives.

Conclusion

Childhood hobbies like role-playing with barbies and kitchen sets were much more than just games; they were a significant part of our development, fostering creativity, empathy, and a sense of imagination. As we continue to navigate life's complexities, it's important to cherish the memories of the simpler times and the cherished hobbies that once brought us joy.