Have you ever considered just how much time you spend looking at screens per day? Per week? I urge you to take a look because when you learn you’ve unknowingly taken on another full-time job, you’ll deeply consider returning to the days of MySpace when you had to sit in the living room and log in on the family computer.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Within the last year, more people have begun searching for alternative ways to spend their time, thus surging the trend of hobbies that don’t require the use of screens. Or what has been dubbed “analog hobbies”.
There are five different categories and a plethora of hobbies under each to choose from, depending on your own personal interests. So read ahead, and maybe you’ll find something you never knew you were looking for.
Crafting
Crafting is by far the most popular of the analog hobbies. Crocheting, knitting, and needlepoint have taken over the internet after being dubbed “grandma hobbies” during the “grandmacore” trends on TikTok and Instagram. Initially, these types of crafts made a comeback in 2020 during the pandemic, and they’ve been on the rise ever since.
Though if textiles aren’t really your thing, they aren’t the only types of crafting you can try. Painting, drawing, pottery, film photography, and origami are great ways to make functional or decorative items in your spare time.
So, if you’re looking for something new to do by yourself or with a few friends or family members, and you have an itch to use your hands, a form of crafting might be for you.
Brain games
Whether you’re playing alone or playing with others, brain games can be a fun way to spend your time and especially keep your brain sharp. Crossword puzzles, word searches, sudoku, and many more, are puzzle games that can sometimes be found in newspapers or in puzzle books available for purchase in book stores. They’re short, sweet, and perfect if you’re looking for something just to pass the time while waiting for your turn at the doctor’s office.
Doing jigsaw puzzles and playing board games or card games are other brain-stimulating options. They’re a great way to spend time with friends and family because all you need is a table, a puzzle or a game, and maybe a cat to cause some chaos now and again.
Culinary arts
Cooking and baking have been hobbies for a long time, with many choosing to partake in them for leisure aside from necessity. Trends like making your own sourdough and small desserts such as cake pops or macaroons have been popular over the last few years, with people finding satisfaction in the yummy end results and excitement in experimenting with different flavors.
If you find joy in the trial and error of creating meals and have a love for food, a hobby in culinary arts might suit you just right.
The great outdoors
Sometimes a little fresh air is good for the soul. Whether you’re going for a hike, roller skating, riding a bike, or going for a walk through your neighborhood, getting outside can be a great break from screens. And who knows, adventuring in the outdoors might bring you some core memories you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.
On another note, not all outdoor hobbies have to involve exercise. You can start a garden in your backyard, bird watch, or study wildflowers or insects. Many fascinating discoveries can come from doing things like that, especially if you’ve got a knack for learning.
Reading and writing
Reading is just as much of an adventure as any of the other hobbies listed here. When you pick up a book, you can get lost in the story the author is telling. It doesn’t matter if it’s a whodunnit, a fantasy, or an autobiography; reading is an escape that can inspire creativity and make you feel and think about yourself or the world around you.
Writing is similar in that way. It allows you to explore your feelings on paper, whether you’re working on a fictional story or journaling about your day. If you enjoy a daily dose of introspection, reading and/or writing might be the hobby for you.
Now that we’ve reached the end, I would like to remind those reading that these are only a few of the more popular analog hobbies people are participating in. So, if you didn’t find something specific here, think about diving deeper into one of the broader categories that piqued your interest. The most important part is to make sure you find something that brings you joy, because rediscovering the slower, more present, more meaningful side of life should provide you with just that.
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