In today’s world, hobbies feel like a lost art. Most people could easily admit that doomscrolling on social media takes up a majority of their free time. A lot of us have given up on the screen-free activities that once strengthened our creativity and focus. 

If you find yourself spending way too much time on your phone, try one of these five analog hobbies that are sure to reduce stress and make you an overall happier and more interesting person.

Needlepoint 

In all honesty, this hobby absolutely sounds like one your grandmother might partake in. It’s not exactly an adrenaline-pumping extracurricular. Needless to say, needlepoint has been trending recently. If you’re unfamiliar, needlepoint is essentially hand embroidery that involves stitching designs and patterns on canvases. The best part about needlepoint is its versatility and customizability. You can make pillows, ornaments, coasters, or even frame pieces as decor. It’s the perfect wind-down activity that will allow you to focus on something other than your phone.

To start, I’d recommend going in person to a local needlepoint shop to get the correct supplies. The best ones in the area are Wellesley Needlepoint Collection and Stitch Boutique Boston. Going to an in-person boutique is much less intimidating and more informative than solely relying on online resources.

Film Photography 

If you feel like you lack a creative outlet but aren’t gifted in drawing or painting, film photography is for you. This is a hobby that won’t emerge overnight—it sometimes takes years of practice and experimentation. But don’t let that stop you from trying. You don’t need a fancy, expensive camera to start. In fact, start off with a cheaper camera from eBay or a local thrift store until you start understanding the process.

Cooking and Baking 

When cooking or baking is labeled as a “hobby” rather than something you have to do, it becomes much more relaxing and enjoyable. Setting time aside to follow your favorite recipe or perfect a nostalgic family dish is truly the epitome of a relaxing and rewarding hobby. Besides, it’s one of the few hobbies with an instant reward.

The best way to get into cooking and baking as a hobby is to fall in love with a cookbook. Whether you opt for a beginner’s cookbook, a healthy cooking recipe book, or choose to experiment with different cultures’ cuisines, there’s truly no wrong way to get started.

Reading 

As basic as this one may sound, when’s the last time you chose to read a book before bed instead of scrolling through social media? Reading is by far one of the most relaxing and calming hobbies you can partake in if you want to stimulate your mind and release dopamine more healthily. If you simply can’t get into reading, try starting slow. Set either a page or a time goal tailored to your abilities, or promise yourself that you’ll finish one book per month. By taking it slowly, you’ll be sure to start enjoying reading and looking forward to entertaining yourself without a phone.

Scrapbooking 

Speaking of phones, one benefit of our age of media is the amount of pictures and proof of memories at our disposal. If you’re the nostalgic type or enjoy reminiscing about certain trips or events, maybe scrapbooking is for you. There’s truly no one way to “get into scrapbooking,” but there are steps that make the hobby less daunting.

Start by scrapbooking one specific timeframe. Maybe that’s your freshman year of college or your family trip to Italy. Go through your photos and make an album of all your favorite pictures. Include people, landscapes, meals, and anything that holds significance to that event. Then, the fun part begins. Start printing your photos and arranging them with stickers, captions, ribbon, or anything else that gives you something nice to look back on.