6 Non-Digital Hobbies to Try This Year
As time marches forward, so too does technology. It’s only natural, then, that we become more and more reliant on our phones, laptops, tablets, and all those other devices that have weaved their way into our everyday lives.
It would be naive to think we’ve reached peak technology. If anything, we’ll probably look back on this time period one day and think of how far behind we were. Who knows what the future holds. The one thing we do know is that we’re hooked to our phones in ways we never were before, especially to social media.
Hooked on our phones: Is it as bad as we think?
In some ways, social media is a godsend, especially for underrepresented communities. It has acted, at times, as an equalizer and has given people from all walks of life a platform. Whereas in the past it could be difficult to “find your people,” today, meeting others with similar interests is just a few clicks or taps away.
At the same time, social media puts intense pressure on young people and opens another avenue for bullying that didn’t exist in the past. There’s even talk of cell phone addiction becoming more widespread, sometimes even being compared to gambling addiction.
But could it really be so serious? The jury is out on if being hooked on your cell phone could be considered a real addiction, but some research points to it being a possibility. Harmful effects can include depression, anxiety, insomnia, and problems with concentration, to name a few.
Of course, the symptoms we’ve listed above are for more extreme cases. Even so, many people want to reduce the amount of time they spend on their phones or social media. One of the best ways to do so is to take up some good ol’ fashioned hobbies. Remember those?
Without further ado, we’ve compiled six hobbies that are not only fun, but also easy to pick up. Give them a try!
1. Knitting
Grandmas were on to something with this one. Knitting may bring to mind scenes from Little House on the Prairie, but in a way, that’s what makes it so great. You can literally make your own clothes—how cool is that?
It seems like it would be complicated—and it’s true that it can get intricate with more challenging projects—but it’s actually easy to learn. For simpler projects like hats, scarves, and socks, you really only need to learn a few moves. It takes a little practice to get the hang of it, but it becomes very meditative and relaxing once you get going.
Plus, learning to knit it is easier than ever before. With video tutorials galore, you’ll be able to follow along step-by-step with people who know exactly what they’re doing (OK, we know video tutorials are digital. But once you learn the moves, you won't need to look at a screen anymore!).
2. Macrame
It’s for more than making friendship bracelets—macrame can get seriously complex! By creating a series of knots with cords, you can make jewelry, decoration for your home, and much more. Camp counselors and teachers often like to teach macrame to their pupils, but it’s something that adults can enjoy too.
Unlike crocheting or knitting, macrame requires no other tools besides your hands. You would be surprised at how incredible your projects can turn out despite how easy it is. If you want to give it a shot, head to your local craft supply store and pick up some hemp rope, yarn, leather, or twine. Check out a book at the library and follow along!
3. Sports
Were you someone who was picked last for sports in PE class or tried out for middle school soccer and failed miserably? Yours truly was! And that’s ok—we all have different strengths, especially during our formative years.
The good news is that sports outside of school are much less competitive, and they're also not rife with raging hormones, first crushes, growing pains, and grade point averages.
Taking up a sport when you’re an adult is a whole different ballgame (yes, pun intended). Adults join sports leagues because they really want to, not because they are peer pressured into it.
Sports leagues exist for every level, including for complete beginners who’ve never played a sport in their life. There’s basketball, soccer, baseball, football, lacrosse, hockey volleyball—the list goes on and on! Many local leagues require little or no fee, and it’s a great way to make new friends.
Maybe you’re not a team sports kind of person, and that’s ok too. You could explore running, hiking, cycling, swimming, or bouldering. Just try them all and see which one sticks.
4. Journaling
We know, you’ve probably heard all about how good journaling is for you, but maybe it has always seemed like too much trouble. But we really can’t stress enough how therapeutic it can be for many people. Sometimes, putting your words to paper can bring about a profound moment of clarity that you might not experience if you only left those thoughts floating around in your head.
There are many different ways to journal—you can use it as a log for the activities you did, a space for creating new ideas, or a place to jot down what you’re grateful for daily. It doesn’t matter the subject matter as long as you’re consistent, so try to aim for a few minutes a day and make it part of your routine.
Have we piqued your interest? Take a look at our article about bullet journaling here.
5. Cooking
Learning to cook can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re someone (like me) who likes to eat. You could opt to take a cooking class, or instead purchase a cooking manual or recipe book. No need to become a Michelin-starred chef—even just learning a quick pasta dish or a sheet pan dinner can be a big step.
Cooking your food can be a real stress reliever, and once you get into the flow, it can feel meditative. And since you’ll be concentrating on dicing, chopping, and sautéing, you won’t have time to focus on all the stresses nagging at you.
Not to mention cooking at home has its health benefits, too. By cooking your own meals, you’ll spend less money on food and likely eat a lot healthier because you’ll have control over what goes in your body.
Need healthy recipe ideas? Check out some of our simple recipes to get started.
6. Gardening
Always wondered if you’d have a green thumb? Now’s your chance! If you have space to garden, even if it’s just balcony space for a potted tomato plant, we suggest giving gardening a chance. You’ll be able to get in touch with nature quite literally, and haven’t you always wanted to dig your hands into some fresh soil?
It doesn’t matter whether you go for ornamental or vegetable gardening, as long as you are caring for your plants you’re doing something right. If you don’t have any space at all for giving it a go, consider getting yourself a plot in a community garden. It’s an excellent way to meet other gardeners and do your part adding some green to the planet.
Featured photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
