Many people’s hobbies may be a way for them to relax or get creative. For some, hobbies can turn into competitions as a way to master their skills. For me it's cosplay.
Cosplay, a portmanteau of "costume play", is an activity and performance art in which participants called cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character. These costumes can be handmade or bought. For the cosplay community, conventions, set up for nerds to interact, are a way to get themselves out there and expose themselves to other cosplayers. These conventions can vary in size and activities but usually hold the same purpose. Guest appearances, game halls, an artist ally, and various meetups and panels are all fun things cosplayers and con-goers can do.
I started this hobby in 2019, heavily inspired by my older sister, who had already been doing it a few years before. When I started I thought the hobby was just about sewing with fabric, but found there was so much more to be done with this hobby. I have worked with foam, electronics, and Pvc pipes in some of my cosplays.
This hobby has a sense of freedom, whether the freedom of being your favorite character or making a design for a character. For me, cosplay is also a huge confidence booster, in my body with wearing things I wouldn't normally wear. This hobby has built confidence for me in my skills, and socializing as well. Cosplay has become a way for me to socialize, and meet new people.
Cosplay sometimes gets a bad representation or view on it. I don't think people understand how much more the hobby can be aside from making and dressing up in costumes.