by @pxrvxnx

Imagine a world without your favourite coffee, your go-to dopamine booster (I meant chocolates), fruits, nuts, etc. No buzz in gardens, no colour in fields. Just silence. Most importantly, most of the shelves in supermarkets are…empty. It sounds like a tale from a distant future, but it's closer than we think.

Every year on May 20, we mark World Bee Day—a quiet reminder of how much we owe these tiny pollinators, who are more than just honey-makers that keep our ecosystem alive. But this World Bee Day, we are not just celebrating these sweet pollinators, we’re talking about survival. We are asking what happens if the bees are gone? Why is it happening? And how might we stop that silence from settling in?

If the bees disappeared tomorrow, the world wouldn’t end in a snap of fingers. First, the buzz of bees fades from the gardens. Then, the flowers stop blooming. The market looks a little emptier. Apples and strawberries, out of season. Coffee? Too expensive! Almonds? Now a luxury. Fields turn quiet. Harvest falls short. No bees mean no pollination. No pollination means no food!

More than 75% of the world’s crops rely on pollinators, and bees are their brightest workers. Without them, the ecosystem will collapse like a tall building in an earthquake, along with the economy. Farmers would lose crops, prices would skyrocket, and communities relying on agriculture would struggle to survive. While staple crops like wheat and rice may survive without them, a world without bees would be a world with far less food diversity, nutrition, and joy. And yes! I know what you’re thinking. The technology is developing rapidly. There’s artificial intelligence. Surely, there are robot bees—tiny drones that do artificial pollination. But here is the truth: they’re bee-yond expensive and far from being able to replace the natural pollinators in our current time. Bees don’t just land on flowers. They feel. They nurture. We can't program instinct, and we certainly can't replace the rhythm of nature.

Hive in crisis: Bee-ing under attack
Now, imagine you’re a bee. Rising, the sunlight peeking into your hive, wings still sticky with sleep. You step out, expecting the familiar warmth, colour, and petals. But something’s off, something’s wrong… The flowers you used to know, they’re now gone. Once, you danced flower to flower, drunk on nectar. What remains are only endless fields of a single crop—corn, wheat, soy—blooming all at once, and then vanishing. You fly further. When you do land on a pretty, kind flower, it tastes strange. Sharp. What you don't know is that it’s been sprayed with neonicotinoid, a pesticide that scrambles your memory and weakens your body. You try to return home, but you can’t remember the way.

As the days go by, you feel your hive beginning to shrink. Not just from hunger, but from something far worse. Something tiny, clinging. A parasite—varroa mite, drinking on your strength, bringing disease into your hive. Then, one morning, when you manage to return home, no one was there except your queen. Not the guards, the young bees. Only a handful of the adult bees were present. The stored food was still there. The humans have a name for it: Colony Collapse Disorder. And the world keeps changing. The weather forgets its rhythm. Spring arrives too soon, storms steal the blossoms, and summer burns too long. Your kind lives by nature’s clock… and now the clock is broken. You were born to dance with flowers. Now, you fly alone, wondering what happened to the world that once bloomed for you.

That’s how bees feel —with pesticides, parasites, and climate chaos. They’re disappearing. And if we don’t act soon, we might lose them forever.

Bee the change: Small, sweet solutions
Not all is lost… not yet. The world that once blossomed can bloom again. But it starts with us. You don’t need a farm or a forest to help the bees. A pot of flowers on your balcony, petals in blue, purple or white since bees love them, a patch of wild still left in your yard, or even letting twigs and dead wood lie undisturbed—these little acts matter more than you think. Swap out harsh pesticides for natural options or companion planting. Buy local honey if you can, as each jar supports a beekeeper nurturing thousands of tiny lives.

If you’re a gardener or farmer, your choices shape the world bees live in. Reducing chemical use, keeping flower-rich hedgerows, and avoiding monoculture practices can give bees the safe havens they’re desperate for. And if you’re a student? Speak out. Plant a pollinator corner, create awareness —your voice, your window box, your curiosity, all carry power.

These actions may feel small. But so are bees, and they hold the world together. So this World Bee Day, let’s not just admire them. Let’s plant, protect, and promise them a world that blooms again. Because when the bees thrive, the Earth hums a little brighter!

Once upon a time, traditional pastimes like knitting, baking, gardening and embroidery were considered as hobbies meant for retirement homes and nostalgic movies. However, as the digital world speeds up, it seems the new generation is slowing down, with one handmade stitch at a time. Across campuses and social media feeds, young people are picking up crochet hooks, watering heirloom tomatoes, and proudly showcasing their latest sourdough loaves. This isn’t about birdwatching or sewing tote bags for clout. It is a cultural shift across an entire generation. Far from being outdated, these “grandma hobbies” are now symbols of mindfulness, sustainability, and personal expression. So, why are these hobbies back in style? And what does that say about us?

Despite the nickname, “grandma hobbies” aren’t limited to age. They are a growing collection of traditional, hands-on activities that have found a new life among younger generations. Think knitting, embroidery, crocheting, gardening, baking, quilting, and even letter-writing. While once associated with our older relatives or rural life, these hobbies are now wrapped up in aesthetic appeal and proudly shown off on TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram. The rise of trends like “grandma-core” or “cottagecore” with their cozy visuals, floral patterns and appreciation for slow living has only accelerated the return of these crafts. What was once seen as boring or old-fashioned is now being rebranded as charming, intentional, and refreshingly online. 

So, what’s behind the growing love for hobbies once tucked away in sewing baskets and backyard sheds? For many young people today, the intrigue lies in the contrast to modern life. In a world shaped by fast-paced content, endless notifications, and digital burnout, the slow hands-on activities offer a calming counterbalance. Knitting a scarf or nurturing a windowsill herb garden isn't just about productivity. It is also a form for mindfulness and a creative outlet. 

There is  also a deeper cultural shift at play. As conversations around sustainability and conscious living become more mainstream, people are turning to hobbies that feel more intentional. Activities once associated with nenek or kampung life like sewing baju, baking kuih from scratch, or growing pandan and serai in the backyard  are making a comeback, not just as hobbies but as meaningful parts of daily life.

These aren’t just quaint throwbacks; they’re hands-on, heart-first ways of slowing down and reconnecting with culture. For many, these traditional hobbies have grown into long-term habits and passions that go beyond just online trends. Things like learning to knit, bake, or making sambal the traditional way isn’t just a novelty anymore; it’s become a part of daily routines, and in some cases, a core part of how people express themselves. There’s something deeply satisfying about creating something with your own hands especially in an age where everything is digital, disposable, and instant. Whether it’s the meditative rhythm of stitching or the quiet joy of watching a plant grow, these hobbies offer a sense of purpose and pride that’s hard to find elsewhere. They’ve moved away from being a temporary online fascination to a way people choose to live in a slower, more mindful and more intentional way. It's also about building identity through heritage and handmade effort. Whether it’s young people learning to make their grandma’s pineapple tart recipe for Raya or proudly wearing their own hand-embroidered tote to class, these hobbies have become  quiet but powerful acts of cultural continuity and self-expression.

At first glance, the rise of traditional hobbies might look like another passing internet trend. But the growing interest suggests that something more meaningful is happening. While the aesthetic may have sparked attention, it’s the sense of fulfillment and calm that keeps people coming back. Once someone crochets their first coaster or harvests homegrown cili padi, they often find it hard to stop. Across Malaysia, workshops and markets are offering hands-on experiences in things like batik painting, sourdough baking, and even tempeh-making. These events often attract young people who are curious to learn something real and useful. Online spaces are just as lively, filled with people sharing their handmade crafts, home gardens, and baking wins. 

Maybe it did begin as a trend, but now it’s growing into something more lasting — a quiet shift toward creativity, culture, and slowing down on purpose.

Malaysia sits just above the equator, which means we don’t get to experience the four seasons (unless you count the dry/haze/durian/monsoon cycles as seasons). Our tropical climate keeps the weather consistent, constantly switching between rain and shine. However, the hot and humid conditions allow many flowers to thrive around April and May, which corresponds to springtime in the northern hemisphere. From beautiful lilies to the ubiquitous touch-me-nots, this is the time for a whole range of blooms to shine!