By Aisha Hoque
In an age of mindless scrolling and rapid innovations, Gen Z is reclaiming what truly matters—engaging in meaningful hobbies. Hobbies that require self-reliance, utmost dedication, and slowing down are being embraced by individuals once known for their heedlessness. They are turning to reflective practices such as crocheting, journaling and creating thoughtful content.
CROCHET:
Once dismissed as a “grandma habit,” crochet has made an epic comeback. Only this time, it’s bigger than ever. Beyond sweaters, table runners and blankets, young ‘grannies’ have extended their creations to phone or bag charms, coasters, jewellery, flower bouquets, hair ornaments, tops, keychains, AirPods or laptop cases and the list goes on.
Craft stores now offer different toolkits, multicoloured yarn balls and decorative add-ons to personalise each piece. Moreover, YouTube tutorials and short reels on social platforms are more than enough to nurture the skill.
A hobby that is deeply rooted in mindfulness and patience, crocheting has been shown to help with mental health issues such as anxiety and OCD.
“90% skill and personalisation; no single crochet creation is like another even if the same pattern is being followed,” says a 23-year-old crocheter, Labbaiqua Tabassum. Style and nostalgia blend together to redefine this handicraft.
JOURNALING:
Journaling is another deeply personal hobby embraced by Gen Z. Whether it’s junk journaling, letters to self or to-do lists, this practice is personal, a collection of thoughts, goals, expressions and an imprint of everything that is on one’s mind.
Stationery shops provide fancy supplies like worded or lettered stickers, colourful washi tapes, vintage-themed envelopes and postcards, different types of writing tools, and so on. The beauty of journaling lies in its freedom. It follows no rules and reflects the individual entirely; hence, most therapists strongly recommend the pursuit of this habit.
Besides, looking back at old “brain dumps” offers insight into one’s growth and thought patterns and is the most effective way to know yourself.
A 23-year-old journal writer, Ahona Sayara, confesses, “Whether it’s a movie ticket, a simple note, or flowers from someone special, each page holds memories that really matter to me.”
This practice promotes creativity, mental well-being and helps overall growth.
CONTENTS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA:
For a generation that celebrates the digital realm loudly, content creation, even as a hobby, comes instinctively to them. Gen Z uses mediums like Instagram and TikTok as a creative meadow, where they drop contents like ‘fit checks’ (a visual run-through of styled outfits), Get Ready with Me videos, and Story Times (narration of personal stories, gossips or rants) to name a few.
The key takeaway from these videos is their aesthetic appeal. Phrasal perspectives like “Got an eye for the aesthetic”, “The art of an Instagram story”, “Do it for the Gram” are popular amongst the youth. Regardless of the number of followers or likes and reacts, or monetisation, creators design these videos and pictures with a lot of effort to make them look effortless.
This aesthetic-driven game is like a switch button—you can go from a ‘soft-girl’ theme to a ‘dark-feminine’ look, a Y2K (year 2000) vibe, or just be your plain, simple self. As someone in my early 20s playing this game, I can confirm that it significantly boosts confidence, authenticity and self-acceptance.
All these choices serve as instruments to make every day purposeful and not just pass time. Distinct in their character, these hobbies grant a break from the unavoidable noise of the world and ensure a real connection to the self.