There is a lot of work in Uni, no undergraduate can say there isn’t, and tight deadlines, group work, new topics, software and hardware you have never seen all add to the “push”! Knowledge and submission requirements are certainly beyond college or 6th form expectations.
In the midst of all of this you need, well I do at least, a distraction. What brought me to this undergraduate is a keen interest in creative media, my personal interests are in photography and image manipulation. Add active interest in Horror, Suspense and Manga Genre – Content then I think I am on the correct course to enjoy my 3 years and to gain employment in something I would enjoy!
A balance of work and fun!
Tutor,H (2022) suggest that having a hobby allows you to de-stress, it’s mentally more productive. He adds that it has a fair degree of benefits, helps prevent depression, allows you to focus your mind on something you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be a physical hobby such as running to get the benefit. He stats that :-
“Getting a short break from work and doing something you are passionate about can rejuvenate your mind and help prepare you to handle challenges in the future in a better way”
For me, well over the last few years it has been Manga Series as my “distraction”, however you can learn something from “distractions”. There are story lines, scripts, camera angle, colour choice, sound overlays in addition to speech whilst being immersed in it.
Having just recently finished the Manga Series, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventures, I decided to set about creating some rendered- adjusted images in Photoshop…no deadlines…no Rubic….just me, my headphones and Photoshop.
Some of what I create will be heading for the recycle bin at the end of the day,,,,,so what!, some will have good elements that I can take forward later on , others will be half decent. The aim here is to invest time in a passion- interest just for me!
Aside from practical elements of the more you use the better you will get with any aspect of software – hardware, a hobby or distraction is beneficial to wellbeing. It’s not work, it’s something productive and I suspect most “Creatives” have some form of “side interest”.
A chap I follow on Linkedin, Nigel Moore, is a Director of a Creative Studio (https://fuzzyduck.co.uk).He actually has an Instagram account (@nigel.photography1996) showing his his interests and not client briefs. You can see his has a personal style to his "personal work"
Another one, Anderson West (www.andersonwest.co.uk) is an independent film maker, yes he does client work and that’s how he pays the bills, but his show reel and Instagram (@andersonjwest) details a lot of work just for him
So what are you waiting for….
Go out and find your distraction, don’t let it distract you too much as the deadlines don’t move, but embrace whatever it is. If it feels bit lame or cheesy to others…so what!!!! It’s yours not theirs, they can share the interest if they want to, find their own or keep their opinions to themselves. SO BE YOU and embrace your quirky interests as I know I do and always will!
PS, my Distraction also keeps me off my other Distraction ( XBOX and PS) which isn't a bad thing!
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