As Americans have reached an all-time high glued to their electronic devices (7 hours and 4 minutes per day, to be exact), many of us are exhausted from the never-ending online content in an AI-dependent world. Digital exhaustion has led to adopting something old that feels new again. Analog living is trending this year, and an interest in hands-on hobbies has reached an all-time high. From Los Angeles to Lyme, Connecticut, people are registering for cake painting, knitting and card-making workshops instead of doomscrolling or binge-watching the latest Netflix series. Junk journaling — a mixed-media, handmade book created with sentimental items such as ticket stubs, old photographs, notes and letters — has over 1 million posts on TikTok. These activities are popping up not just in local libraries but at retail stores, cafes and even breweries.
Danei Edelen, a writer and executive director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Northern Kentucky (NAMI NKY), said she was exposed to these active hands-on activities early in life. Her mother crocheted washcloths, and her grandmother crafted quilts and crocheted doilies. She remembers them creating alone and during family gatherings. “When my family got together, the women in my family always had hand projects,” she said.
Analog hobbies can help improve mental health
Ahead of the recent surge in analog hobbies, Danei, who had been previously hospitalized for mental health-related issues, enrolled in an art class that moved online during the pandemic. The teacher challenged students to create one drawing a day for 20 days. The first assignment, Danei recalled, was drawing her eye. When she posted the drawing on Facebook, friends and family responded with likes and positive comments. “Suddenly, amid this scary Covid situation, creating these drawings and connecting with a community gave me daily focus and purpose.”
She also understood the benefits of analog hobbies extended far beyond praise. The act of doing is what makes us feel good, engaging the creative part of the brain and quieting the must-do list and the pursuit of always being busy. “I am convinced that drawing daily helped rewire my brain in a positive way. All the support I received from others helped rebuild my confidence as well. Now, I do needlework and knit socks, too,” she said.
Mental health experts are now recommending analog activities to their patients. Seema Sharma, SEP, LMFT, and CEO of Holistic Trauma Therapy, said research confirms that repetitive hands-on activities, like knitting and other crafts, help people relax, feel happy, function more effectively, and provide a sense of accomplishment. “The brain receives a reward for finishing something physical that endless scrolling does not provide,” she said. “Analog hobbies are a support for mental health, not a replacement for treatment. Their real goal is to have a reliable way to come home to yourself,” she added.
Whether you’re arranging flowers or beading a bracelet, most analog hobbies can be practiced alone or in community, and both environments have a positive, but different, impact on emotional well-being. “Solo activities provide uninterrupted time alone with your thoughts. That kind of private, restorative time can be incredibly valuable for your nervous system. Community-based analog activities offer connection. The shared experience provides a natural way for people to engage with one another,” said clinical psychologist Jessica Meers, Ph.D., DBSM.
So, does it matter what hobby you pick up? Experts say not really. The key is finding activities you enjoy and want to return to. “What the hobby is doesn’t matter. The structure of the activity matters most,” said Sharma.
How to get involved in analog hobbies
When you’re trying to find an analog hobby to pick up, you may need to think about cost and accessibility, especially for those living in rural areas. A pottery studio may be pricier with additional fees for supplies, while a knitting or needlepoint circle can be more affordable, especially if you plan on attending regularly. Libraries, community centers and craft stores often offer free in-person and live online series. Local Facebook groups, Meetup and Eventbrite also list opportunities to connect and create. Online art therapists and creators sometimes offer free Zoom classes and video content, and platforms like Craftsy frequently offer affordable annual memberships.
Anyone can benefit from handcrafts, not just those managing chronic stress and anxiety. Some experts point to high-achieving professionals who are staring at a screen for most of their waking hours. “This group typically has a constant cognitive load with no other outlet. An analog hobby may be the first time their nervous system has fully downshifted in years,” said Sharma.
Analog hobbies can help you relax — and sleep
In addition to being a great way to keep your mind active and to decompress, analog hobbies may also improve daily routines and sleep health. As we continue to break up and make up with our phones in bed, reading a physical book, journaling or slow drawing — making imperfect lines while practicing intentional breathing — can signal the brain to begin to wind down and relax. “Doing a simple craft before bed often supports relaxation in a way that scrolling through a phone simply doesn't,” said Meers.
Trying out an analog activity requires little to no artistic talent. In fact, it may be even more effective as a form of meditation for those who aren’t attached to the outcome. So, whether you decide to purl, bead or frost, the goal is to forget that there’s a goal and enjoy the process.
