Increasing number of people have taken to staying indoors

As governments worldwide impose lockdowns in an attempt to contain COVID-19, life indoors has become a "new normal" in many countries, including China.

An increasing number of people have decided to stay home to pursue hobbies with a determination bordering on obsession.

However, Song Laixin, a graphic designer in Beijing, was well accustomed to such a lifestyle long before the coronavirus pandemic emerged.

The 27-year-old describes herself as an otaku－to stand apart from others, particularly those who love being outdoors.

The Japanese word refers to people who become engrossed in hobbies, particularly anime and manga. The former is a style of Japanese film and television animation, while manga refers to Japanese comic books and graphic novels, typically aimed at adults as well as children.

Most otaku are millennials who become obsessed with a particular aspect of popular culture to the detriment of their social skills. As a result, the term has also become synonymous with the word "homebody", used to describe someone who prefers to stay at home for long periods and refuses to go out.

"As an otaku, staying home is normal for me," Song said, adding that the most important quality in living such a lifestyle is to spend as much time at home as possible to fully enjoy being alone and socially isolated.

Many people would reject the idea of being holed up at home for months on end, not even going out to shop for groceries or attend a family event, but Song is among the millions of otaku who revel in solitude.

"The longest I've ever stayed at home was three months－and that was before the COVID-19 outbreak," she said.

"When I feel hungry, I just go to the delivery app on my phone. Sometimes, I suddenly decide to cook, but I order the ingredients online.

"I do not have fixed hours, so I usually work three to five hours a day when I have a project to complete. When I don't have any work, I watch a movie or TV show, or just lie down and do nothing, apart from enjoy being home alone.

"In today's world, which is so technologically advanced, you can easily function without ever leaving home."