If your new year’s resolutions include reducing screen time, embracing a slower pace of living, or using your downtime to properly relax, there’s nothing like charming, old-fashioned hobbies to help with all of this. Romanticise your life by slowing down and switching off with relaxing offline crafts and hands-on hobbies.
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From knitting to wood carving, these 10 hobbies that bring back simple joy are the perfect way to quieten your mind – and I promise will be far more rewarding than scrolling!
1. Sketching
Sketching can be one of the easiest hobbies to pick up, as you can start with minimal materials (just a sketchbook and pencil is enough!), and no level of knowledge or experience. Not only that, there is no pressure at all to be artistically gifted – having a sketchbook is not about creating great artwork, it’s about relaxing, being playful with materials and having fun, and hopefully improving over time! I personally enjoy maintaining a travel sketchbook, focussing on capturing places I’ve visited and creating visual memories to look back on. I wrote about my tips and inspiration for travel sketchbooking here.
2. Knitting and Crochet
Both knitting and crochet do involve learning a new skill, which could feel like a bit of a barrier to begin with. But once you get past the basics, the repetitive movements become soothing and almost meditative, making it a wonderfully relaxing offline hobby. I found my knitting journey very rewarding, and the best part is that you’re left with cute, cosy items at the end, from wearable pieces, to cute knitted toys: Check out my favourite cute toy knitting patterns here.
3. Gardening
Gardening as a hobby has many benefits, from the mental boost of spending time outdoors to the simple pleasure of connecting with nature, the changing seasons, and the satisfaction of seeing your efforts pay off. I started as a complete beginner (and, if I’m honest, still feel like one!) and first dipped my toe into the hobby by planting spring bulbs in pots and watching them bloom. This sparked a greater interest and I moved onto summer bedding plants, creating colourful displays in even more pots. Eventually I moved away from just the pots, and am now planting borders with permanent shrubs and perennials. I’ve found that the best approach is to learn as you go, rather than feeling overwhelmed by everything you don’t yet know.
4. Embroidery and Cross Stitch
Needlework is such a classic hobby and a wonderful way to focus the mind on something calm and creative. Cross stitch is often the easiest place to start, as it involves learning just one simple stitch and following a clear pattern, making it very accessible for beginners. Embroidery naturally follows on from there, offering more freedom and a wider range of stitches and styles.
There are plenty of great kits out there for all skill levels, which makes getting started feel much less daunting. And some of my favourite embroidery projects have come from patterns I found on Etsy, including a Christmas Nutcracker design and a floral bouquet piece that beautifully captured my wedding flowers.
5. Jigsaws
Jigsaw puzzles are such a simple way of detuning from the outside world and cutting down screen time. I especially love starting a puzzle over a bank holiday weekend, when there’s time to really settle into it without rushing. More recently I’ve even started taking puzzles with me on my UK holidays, where they’ve become a peaceful morning ritual – a gentle, grounding way to ease into the day before we head out to explore.
6. Baking
The best thing about baking as a hobby is, of course, getting to enjoy the fruits of your labour. But it’s also fun to take a more creative or intentional approach to it. You could work your way through a favourite recipe book, trying every recipe and discovering new flavours and techniques along the way. Another option is to bake with the seasons, by focussing on seasonal ingredients. Or how about leaning into nostalgia by recreating childhood treats and school-time favourites?!
7. Wood Carving
Wood carving is one hobby I’ve never tried, but I’m currently feeling quite tempted by it. It seems like a beautiful way to slow down, work with your hands, and reconnect with natural materials, embracing a more traditional, old-fashioned way of life. There’s something appealing about the idea of gradually shaping a piece of wood into something both functional and unique, entirely by hand. It’s the kind of hobby that rewards patience and presence. I’ve noticed some lovely beginner-friendly carving kits on Etsy, which would also make thoughtful and unusual gifts for anyone interested in trying something new.
8. Scrapbooking
Creating visual reminders of your memories is a lot of fun and scrapbooking is a wonderful way to do this without putting pressure on yourself to achieve a “perfect” result. It’s an especially great hobby for anyone who feels unsure about their creative abilities, as there are no strict rules to follow and no right or wrong outcome! You might prefer pages that are neat, sleek, and carefully curated, or you could embrace a freer approach, layering notes, ticket stubs, photographs, and clippings onto the page. Scrapbooking is less about artistic skill and more about storytelling and self-expression.
9. Wreath Making and Flower Arranging
Wreaths are not just for Christmas! Wreath making and flower arranging are more than seasonal crafts – they’re mindful, hands-on ways to connect with nature. Using fresh, seasonal flowers and greenery, you can create beautiful pieces all year round. I recommend starting out with a workshop, in person or online, to learn the basics, then letting your creativity flow at home. This is the perfect hobby if you have (or have access to) a lovely garden full of flowers and plants that can provide lots of fresh materials!
10. Calligraphy
I find calligraphy to be really therapeutic and one of the most relaxing ways to pass time. It naturally encourages you to slow down, focus on your breathing, and be fully present, which is often where the best results come from. I began by attending a beginner calligraphy workshop, which gave me a solid foundation in basic techniques and provided an initial set of materials to get started. From there, it became a case of practice and repetition, and eventually expanding my techniques and materials. Calligraphy is just such a wonderful mindful hobby!
These 10 offline hobbies are are perfect for embracing a simpler way of life. Will you be trying any of them for the first time this year?
English Rose from Manchester's Blog 