Creations of Quiet Hours
Written by: Giuliana Gonzalez
Photography by: I'ron Bell
Modeled by: Ayleen Palomares, Kadence Schaecher, & Autumn Adams
In a world where scrolling has become an evening ritual and fifteen-second videos have replaced film, humans have begun to search for more—something moved by creativity. Experiences like learning, boredom, achievement, and problem-solving have become easier in today's world of technology. Young children are being educated on YouTube, and elderly people are entertained by streaming services. But the most impacted are college students. Whether it’s used to pass the time, get to a destination, or lay out daily routines, our minds have begun to incorporate excessive technology use naturally. It can confidently be said that every college student has stayed up late scrolling, chatting, watching, or playing on a screen.
Picture this: It’s 1 a.m. on a school night, and you’re wide awake. Your work may or may not be completed, but your skin care routine is done. Glaring at your phone, another hour-long scrolling session sounds like a headache. Another edited Instagram post sounds meaningless. Your brain wants more. It wants something real. Finding a way out of doom-scrolling has become a common goal in this day and age. So what are we doing about it?
We’re crafting. Crafting has recently been on the rise as a quiet rebellion against the overstimulation of modern living. Whether it's painting, sewing, jewelry making, or even journaling, handmade creations have reminded us of the beauty our minds are capable of. Without worrying about perfection or, at times, even profit, the slow and steady process of gluing, brushing, or writing in a cozy spot has become a meditation in such a fast-paced world. A safe space – a dorm, a room, an apartment – has become a sanctuary for these comforting habits to take place. In college, almost everyone has a zone in their living space that tells a story. Quiet hours have become prime time for invention. Behind a dorm's tangled cords and unfolded laundry, there is art.
Crafting doesn´t always have to be complex or niche. Students like Ayleen Palomares find comfort in the little things. Coloring books and art kits are found to relieve stress and improve focus. By simply coloring in the lines or accomplishing a color-to-number craft kit, our minds can find peace. Marketing major Palomares says she sets aside time once a week to tap into her creative side. For her, gem kits, coloring books, and artsy markers have all become collectables throughout college, and all help keep her focus off the screen.
On the more complex side, students have found relaxation in the world of sound. Autumn Adams has found a way to ease her mind by entering the realm of music. How? CD mixtape creation. As an Entertainment Management major, music has become a special way to express herself, connect with others, and build bonds. Taking her focus off simple societal media consumption and using her interests as a form of love and gifts provides an example of how handmade hobbies can not only improve one's mental space but also spread peace to others. With more intentional hobbies like these, expression will be celebrated.
Creations don't have to be concealed. Students like Kadence Schaecher have begun using their skills for their own benefit. Jewelry making has become popular amongst many over the years, and only continues to rise. With accessibility in mind, crafts like this can be not only fun but also affordable. Removing unrealistic social media consumption and creating something yourself can feel rewarding and potentially profitable. With just the tools and work environment, your creation of quiet hours can begin to make an economic impact.
In a world where we are pushed to scroll, crafting gives us a reason to feel present again. Once we take our focus off digital noise and shift to more real, calming mechanisms, our brains will thank us. It can be as easy as a coloring book or as complex as music production. Paint flowers so they will not die. Moments left for us and us alone to create are the richest. With the rise of technology, art is not dead, and with nights that feel small and personal, it never will be.
