Once upon a time, almost everyone had a garden in their backyard, and Tuesday game nights with the whole family consisted of playing classics like Mancala or Checkers. 

Now, with the rise of technology, things have become less “down to earth,” and hobbies consist of vlogging or videogames rather than sending letters in the mail or sitting down with a nice book. We have lost touch with the most sensitive part of reality—being present. Even when we are spending time with friends or family, our phones sit beside us like an uninvited guest, pulling our attention away. We need to tap back into the parts of life that may seem “boring” or “mundane” to center ourselves. Plus, grandma hobbies are just more fun.

As crazy as it may sound, these kinds of hobbies can have observable benefits in our lives, and give us vitality that we may be missing in our day-to-day.

There is something so grounding about doing things with your hands. Crocheting, painting, gardening—these are hobbies that require patience and stillness. When you are tending to a garden, you cannot rush a seed to grow. When you are knitting, you cannot skip steps without everything unraveling. When you send letters to people, you have to await a reply rather than waiting five seconds or less for a text. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 71% of adults that engage in creative activities report a boost in mental health and focus. These activities teach us care, rhythm and the value of time—lessons that seem long forgotten in this day and age. 

Sending letters to people is another lost art that was once the way of the world. There is something so pure and wholesome about receiving a handwritten letter in the mail from someone, and not many in our generation know this feeling. Your mailbox is probably collecting dust and spiderwebs by now with how little usage it gets. Write someone a poem or send them a card just to let them know they are loved. It means so much more than a text or a call and it brings a sense of intentionality to a relationship. A text disappears and fades into the background of everyday life, but a letter can sit on someone’s nightstand for years.

In our culture, we have normalized constant stimulation and instant gratification. But stimulation and constant busyness are not the same as fulfillment. The hobbies we label as “grandma hobbies” or “something for old people” are actually timeless rituals and reminders that life does not have to move at the speed of Wi-Fi. It can move at the pace of a paintbrush stroke, a growing tomato vine, or the whistle of a kettle warming up.

Incorporating these grounding hobbies into our everyday life does not require abandoning technology all together, but simply trying to lower your screen time. Go on a walk, enjoy the world around you. Get dirt under your fingernails. Go look at the stars, swim in a lake, throw a tea party, send a letter, write a poem, read a book, crochet some flowers. There are endless options. These small habits and hobbies are not outdated, but instead add a whimsical touch to everyday life. The things that feel “old fashioned” are exactly what we need after all.