COLUMN: Photography, cards, reading and more keep me sane during COVID-19 isolation 

Four years flew by, and I never thought I would experience a pandemic 

High school graduation photoshoot with my guitar 2017 | Kim Stager | Argonaut
High school graduation photoshoot with my guitar 2017 | Kim Stager | Argonaut

It amazes me how four years came and went in the blink of an eye. I’ve learned and experienced many things, like coping with a pandemic. 

I enjoy my alone time, but COVID-19 tested my ability to be alone. I needed something to keep me sane while doing school, my work study and being a reporter and photographer for The Argonaut.  

When I think back on how I’ve coped with isolation, a few hobbies cross my mind.  

I enjoy walking around Moscow, practicing photography with my Kodak camera or phone. I start to feel restless if I stay in my dorm room too long. 

I love being near water. It reminds me of the river close to my home. The sound is soothing to my ears, like hearing rain falling on a roof.  

Listening to the flowing water and reminded of home. Kim Stager | Argonaut
Listening to the flowing water and reminded of home. Kim Stager | Argonaut

I enjoy reading books, getting lost in the world within the pages. I’ve loved them for as long as I can remember. 

Reading a book in a field near the dorms. Kim Stager | Argonaut
Reading a book in a field near the dorms. Kim Stager | Argonaut

How many people do you know that play Solitaire with an actual deck of cards instead of online? 

I enjoy the feeling of them sliding easily through my fingers as I lay them out into several piles. I do miss playing cards with other people, but I can play with my parents when I go home. 

Real-life Solitaire game in the dorm lounge. Kim Stager | Argonaut
Real-life Solitaire game in the dorm lounge. Kim Stager | Argonaut

Do you struggle keeping your plants alive, or do you have a green thumb? 

In the past, I struggled to keep my plants alive. Now, I can proudly say I’ve converted to a green thumb person.  

I’ve kept the Department of Journalism and Mass Media office plants alive since last September. My own plants are still alive after a couple of semesters, thanks to my roommate’s help watering them. 

Taking care of many plant children. Kim Stager | Argonaut
Taking care of many plant children. Kim Stager | Argonaut

Lastly, music keeps me sane during isolation. I find comfort in songs and artists that understand me. It’s my constant companion that helps me thrive daily. 

Music entertains for hours. Kim Stager | Argonaut
Music entertains for hours. Kim Stager | Argonaut

I enjoy the hobbies I have now, but I also look forward to discovering new places, meeting new people and exploring new ideas when I graduate in May. 

Kim Stager can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @journalismgoals 

About the Author

Kim Stager Senior at the University of Idaho, majoring in Broadcasting and Digital Media. I work for the opinion and photography sections at the Argonaut.

Leave a Reply

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.