Photo by Sarah Brown via Uplash.

In a world that moves at a frantic pace, it’s important to have hobbies that slow you down, nourish your spirit and don’t drain your wallet. Cozy hobbies aren’t just for snowy afternoons or rainy Sundays. They can be part of everyday life, offering a retreat from the stresses of work, school or endless scrolling. Even better, most of them are surprisingly affordable! Here’s a look at some cozy, inexpensive hobbies that can add a little more comfort (and joy) to your days.

1. Reading

Few things are cozier than curling up with a good book. Libraries offer free access to thousands of titles and used bookstores, Little Free Libraries and online resources like Libby make reading accessible—even on a tight budget! Whether you prefer fantasy epics, mystery novels or soft-spoken poetry, there’s something magical about getting lost in another world.

2. Knitting or Crocheting

Yarn crafts are often associated with grandmas, but they’ve become popular across generations—and for good reason. Knitting and crocheting are calming and can produce something tangible and useful. A basic set of needles and some inexpensive yarn are all you need to start. Plus, handmade scarves, hats, and blankets make heartfelt gifts.

3. Journaling

Journaling is both an emotional outlet and a creative hobby. All you need is a notebook and a pen. Whether you’re writing morning pages, recording dreams, making gratitude lists or creating artful bullet journals, journaling invites you to slow down and check in with yourself.

4. Baking

Baking fills your home with warm, delicious smells and gives you something delightful to enjoy (or share). Ingredients for simple recipes, like bread, muffins or cookies, are inexpensive and often already in your pantry. 

5. Puzzle Solving

Puzzles, whether jigsaw puzzles, crosswords or Sudoku, offer hours of cozy, focused entertainment. A single puzzle can be reused, traded with friends or borrowed from libraries. They’re great for chilly evenings when you want something relaxing but mentally engaging.

6. Nature Walks

You don’t have to scale a mountain to enjoy the calming effects of nature. A simple walk through a local park, trail or even a quiet street can do wonders for your peace of mind. Listening to the birds, feeling the breeze and watching the seasons change are free pleasures available to anyone.

7. Drawing or Coloring

Art supplies don’t have to be fancy to be enjoyable. A basic sketchpad and pencils or a coloring book with markers can unlock hours of creativity. Doodling, sketching or even painting simple watercolors is less about making a masterpiece and more about enjoying the act of creating.

8. Listening to Audiobooks or Podcasts

Sometimes, the coziest hobby is simply sitting in a comfy chair with a warm blanket and letting someone else tell you a story. Audiobooks (free from libraries or affordable through apps) and podcasts on every imaginable topic provide endless cozy content for little to no cost.

Closing

In the end, cozy hobbies remind us that comfort doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It’s about creating small rituals that bring peace, beauty and creativity into daily life. 

Photo by Kristina Gadeikyte via Uplash.

When we talk about colonization, we usually focus on land, armies and political control. But Great Britain’s empire-building wasn’t limited to geography. It also involved the mass appropriation of art and cultural heritage. Much of that legacy is still sitting in British museums today, far from the communities that created it.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, as Britain expanded across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, it also collected, or more accurately, took an enormous amount of art. Religious relics, royal treasures, sculptures, and manuscripts were removed from colonized nations, often through violence, coercion or exploitation. These objects were shipped back to London and celebrated as symbols of Britain’s supposed cultural superiority.

The British Museum stands as the clearest example of this legacy. Established in 1753, it houses millions of artifacts from around the world, many of which arrived during the peak of imperial expansion. One of the most famous (and controversial) cases is the Elgin Marbles, taken from the Parthenon in Greece by Lord Elgin in the early 1800s. Despite decades of requests from Greece, the marbles remain in London. The story is similar for the Rosetta Stone, which Britain seized from Egypt after defeating Napoleon’s forces in 1799.

Britain’s colonization of art wasn’t just about taking objects. It was about reshaping narratives of culture and civilization. Non-Western art was often exhibited as anthropology rather than high art. African sculptures, Indigenous American artifacts and Asian ceramics were categorized as curiosities, reinforcing racist ideas about Western superiority and “primitive” others. This practice didn’t just misrepresent the art itself; it actively undermined the cultures that produced it.

While some institutions, like the Horniman Museum in London, have begun making small steps toward restitution, many, including the British Museum, have remained resistant, often citing legal barriers or claiming that the artifacts are part of global heritage. But critics argue that real global heritage cannot be built on theft and denial.

Art is not just decorative. It is deeply tied to history, memory, and identity. Keeping these works in British institutions without consent perpetuates the very inequalities created by the Empire. Britain’s colonization of art didn’t end when the Empire did; it is still happening in how museums display, narrate and justify possession today.

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In 2025, Kendrick Lamar solidified his place as one of the most influential artists of the 21st century. With his unique blend of lyricism and cultural commentary, Kendrick Lamar has become a force to be reckoned with. This year, Lamar’s continued success at the Grammys, his role in the ongoing discussion about Black culture and social justice, and his culturally significant Super Bowl halftime performance have all further cemented his legacy.

Kendrick Lamar Dominates the Grammys 

2025 marked yet another historic year for Kendrick Lamar at the Grammys. This year, he not only added more trophies to his already impressive collection but also triumphed in some of the most prestigious and highly competitive categories.

Lamar’s critically acclaimed track “Not Like Us” emerged as a standout of the year, earning him an impressive five awards. The song took home Rap Song of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video, solidifying its cultural and artistic impact.

These Grammy wins in 2025 weren’t just personal victories for Lamar; they symbolized the increasing mainstream recognition of rap. As Kendrick said himself, “This is what it’s about man, because at the end of the day, nothing is more powerful than rap music. We are the culture, it’s gonna always stay here and live forever.”

 Black Artists and the Grammys – Is 2025 a Turning Point?

Kendrick Lamar’s triumph at the Grammys in 2025 also raises important questions about the relationship between Black artists and the Recording Academy. Historically, Black musicians, particularly in genres like rap and R&B, have faced systemic barriers to receiving proper recognition for their work. The controversy surrounding Beyoncé’s repeated losses in major categories, such as her 2023 “Renaissance” loss for Album of the Year, has fueled debates about the Grammys’ treatment of Black artists.

But 2025 seems to mark a shift in how Black artists are being recognized. With Lamar’s sweeping wins in major categories, especially in categories like Song and Record of the Year, traditionally dominated by pop and rock artists, there is a growing sense that the Grammys may be moving in a new direction.

This year Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Cater” also won Album of the Year, a win that was widely celebrated. Critics and fans alike are hopeful that 2025 represents a turning point, one where Black artists are no longer sidelined but celebrated for their contributions to music and culture at the highest level. While questions remain about whether this shift will be permanent, the success of artists like Lamar and Beyoncé in 2025 is a promising sign. It may mark the beginning of a more equitable future for Black musicians in the music industry’s most prestigious award show.

Kendrick Lamar’s Symbolic Super Bowl Halftime Show

Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show was impactful. In a year where social justice continued to dominate conversations, Lamar used his platform to make a powerful statement about race, identity and resilience. 

Throughout the halftime show, Kendrick relied heavily on imagery and symbolism to make his point. The giant PlayStation controller that dominated the stage may have represented the idea of life as a game, with the American Dream being something that is “played” and often controlled by larger systems. At one point,  the dancers were arranged in formations of red, white, and blue, which at first seemed like just a standard patriotic gesture. However, the dancers often shifted in ways that fractured the imagery of the American flag, symbolizing a nation deeply divided by race, class and political tensions.
In addition, the decision to have Serena Williams perform the Crip Walk was laden with meaning. As Dr. Sequoia Maner, a professor at Spelman College in literature, explained. 

“A lot of people said, ‘Oh, you know, that’s a jab at Drake,’ right? Serena is Drake’s ex. But we forget in 2012, Serena was lambasted for doing the crip walk on the world stage at the London Olympics. And that was a moment in which we really saw this vitriol aimed at one of the most excellent top performers, saying that she was too loud and that she was too ghetto for a kind of respectable sport like tennis, right?” 

For a deeper dive into the symbolism in the half time show  you can read more in Halima Jibril’s article titled,  “America Has a Problem: Unpacking Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl symbolism.”

As 2025 continues, Kendrick Lamar’s influence on music, culture and social justice shows no signs of slowing down. His Grammy wins represent a new era for Black artists in the Recording Academy, while his Super Bowl halftime performance stands as one of the most significant cultural moments of the year. Lamar’s ability to use his platform to address difficult social issues while pushing the boundaries of his craft makes him one of the most important artists of our time. 

Photo by Kyle Head via Uplash.

In the landscape of education, all schools have been facing tough decisions when budget cuts arise and, all too often, the Arts are the first programs to be trimmed or eliminated. However, art plays an essential role in the development of students and its removal has long-lasting negative effects. Art is not merely an extracurricular activity but a fundamental aspect of a well-rounded education that fosters creativity, emotional intelligence and critical thinking.

Graph illustrating the benefits of arts integration in education, sourced from Sarah Grace Griswold’s research on arts in the classroom.

Creativity and Innovation

The arts provide students with a unique opportunity to explore new ways of thinking. Whether through painting, music, drama, or dance, art encourages students to express themselves beyond the limitations of traditional subjects like math or science. This creative exploration can lead to innovations and breakthroughs in other fields.  

By fostering creativity, art also prepares students for the future workforce. In a rapidly changing world driven by technology, employers seek individuals who can think critically and solve problems creatively. Art classes provide students with these essential skills, enabling them to navigate complex challenges both in their careers and in life.

Emotional and Social Development

Art education is integral to students’ emotional and social development. It allows them to express feelings that they may not yet have the vocabulary to articulate, providing an outlet for emotions that can be difficult to process otherwise. This emotional expression is especially crucial during adolescence when students are dealing with significant challenges in their lives.

Furthermore, the collaborative nature of many art forms teaches students valuable social skills. Whether working on a group project in theater or performing in a choir, students learn the importance of teamwork, communication, and mutual respect. These experiences can foster empathy and a sense of community. 

Enhancing Academic Performance

Contrary to the misconception that the arts are unrelated to academic success, numerous studies have shown that participation in art programs enhances students’ performance in other subjects. For example, learning music has been linked to improved math and reading skills due to the discipline and attention to detail required. Similarly, visual arts can improve spatial reasoning, while drama and theater promote language development and public speaking abilities.

Art encourages critical thinking and problem-solving in ways that complement traditional academic subjects. Students who engage with art are more likely to approach problems from multiple perspectives, a skill that benefits them in subjects ranging from literature to science.

Preserving Cultural Identity and Inclusivity

Art plays a vital role in preserving and celebrating cultural identity. In a diverse society, art education allows students to explore and understand various cultures, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic worldview. This is particularly important in an increasingly globalized world, where understanding and appreciating cultural differences are essential for peaceful coexistence.

By cutting art programs, schools risk losing this rich opportunity to promote cultural awareness and inclusivity. Art can serve as a bridge between students of different backgrounds, helping them connect through shared experiences of creativity and self-expression.

Conclusion: Protecting the Arts in Education

While financial constraints may tempt schools to cut art programs, the benefits of arts education far outweigh the costs. The arts foster creativity, emotional intelligence, social skills and academic success, all while promoting cultural understanding. Removing art from the curriculum not only deprives students of these crucial opportunities but also limits their potential to become well-rounded, innovative and empathetic individuals. Art is not a luxury; it is an essential element of a complete education and it must be protected.