Are you among the few who are tired of scrolling endlessly through your social media feed and feeling burned out? And you want to start doing something that requires no screen at all?
If your social life or even the current state of the world constantly stresses you out, it might be a sign to unplug and take a step back.
To live a more balanced life, we have to set boundaries to our online presence and set aside time for ourselves to discover activities and hobbies that we can truly enjoy and be in the moment.
Here is a list of ten old-school hobbies that I think can be a good replacement for our constant doom scrolling and can have a positive impact on our own mental wellness.
1. Reading.
Nothing says old-school hobby more than reading a good book, right? Ditch your phone addiction and start diving into fiction or non-fiction books as your go-to way to calm your mind. I still enjoy reading physical books because nothing can compare to flipping the pages and sometimes sniffing the smell of the ink on paper. It might be weird, but it’s part of the fun. But if you’re always on the go, you can buy a lightweight e-reader like the Kindle or Kobo that is easy to carry in your bag and can hold up to many books at once. I know this one is technically a screen, but it doesn’t have those anxiety-inducing notifications like our phones do. So I guess it can pass.
2. Challenging Puzzles.
You can reconnect with your inner child by solving puzzles to pass the time. Challenge yourself to finish a 1,000-piece puzzle for adults. Solving puzzles is not only a fun way to pass time, but it is also good for our brain as a form of exercise. Gather your family members after dinner and make everyone help solve this puzzle. This can be a great bonding moment, rather than being constantly on your phone before bed.
3. Playing a musical instrument.
Do you have a musical instrument you have in mind that you wish you knew how to play? I have plenty in mind. I’m always in awe when my favorite band performs live, and they look so cool playing those drums or guitars. Whether it’s playing the piano, mastering the violin, or strumming a guitar, I’m sure there are plenty to choose from. Learning to play an instrument encourages discipline and patience, as regular practice is key to improvement.
4. Cooking new recipes.
Take more time in the kitchen preparing and cooking new recipes you’ve never eaten before. Try another cuisine, like Asian or Mediterranean cuisine. Or you can ask your mom or grandma for secret recipes they have for your favorite dishes. Or you can buy a recipe book from the bookstore and start from there. You can always start with easy recipes if you’re a beginner cook. This new hobby is a sure way that your family will love you even more.
READ MORE: 7 Weekly Challenge Ideas to Try
5. Baking bread.
They say bread-making is an art form on its own. And I agree. Nothing is more satisfying than making your own bread from scratch. Sure, you can always go to the store and buy a loaf of bread, no sweat. But if you look at the ingredients on most of these store-bought breads, most of them contain unnecessary chemicals and preservatives that, quite honestly, you don’t need in your slice of bread. So if you want to develop some patience (and bread, of course), I think this is a great hobby to start. Sourdough bread is one of the trendy recipes to make. But you can also try some simple artisan bread that requires basic ingredients like flour, salt, yeast, and water. It’s up to you.
6. Knitting and crocheting.
You can learn how to knit or crochet using a beginner’s guide book you can purchase online or in bookstores. If you don’t know the difference between the two, knitting uses two knitting needles, while crocheting uses only one hook needle. But they are both great hobbies to start if you want to make your very own cozy scarves or sweaters. I love to crochet small coasters for my drinking mug. It is fun because you can make it in any color you want. You can take this hobby almost anywhere and turn those idle moments of commuting into productive ones.
7. Sculpting potteries.
If you like to create something beautiful and functional, why not start pottery as your new hobby? Working with clay and forming art pieces is another mindful activity you can try. Part of the fun is that you get to create your own unique bowls, cups, vases, or even decorative pieces.
8. Painting.
You don’t need to be an artist right away to enjoy painting as a hobby. There’s a cheat code, and it’s called Paint-by-Number. This is one of my favorite ways to unwind because this thing is really therapeutic. You can work for an hour a day and start again the next day. This can take a week to finish, but the result is an adorable painting you can hang around your house.
9. Start a garden.
Start on small pots if you have limited space. But if you have a big backyard you can start and turn it into a thriving flower garden. Honestly, if space is not a problem where I live, I would be gardening for hours. If you’re like me and you only have a limited space, why not start planting colorful and easy-to-grow flowers like hydrangeas or geraniums? You can place it on your windowsill or hang it on your balcony.
10. Home Brewing.
If you love drinking beer or cider, you can try and make your own just for the fun of it. There are readily available brewing kits you can buy to start your own at-home brewery. Beer was brewed inside individual houses for thousands of years before it was made available commercially. And brewing your own beer can also be a great way to create your own unique flavor of beer that suits your preferences.