Hobbies are nothing new, but they are having a bit of a moment right now. Apparently, “granny-core” hobbies like knitting and needlework are becoming more popular amongst younger generations, and you can find all kinds of aspirational posts online about “going analog” in 2026 and picking up screen-free hobbies like journaling, quilting, or birding. Is there a little bit of irony in finding these posts while scrolling social media? Perhaps. But irony aside, I think it’s a good thing if someone discovers a spark that encourages them to try something new.

I don’t think these trends are a coincidence at a time when AI slop is on the rise, online communities are plagued with bots, and people are sick of being manipulated by algorithms and social engineering. Who wouldn’t be feeling a little anxious, overwhelmed, or just plain tired? It makes sense that people are craving offline connection and a touch of the human-made and handcrafted in their lives.

A comment from a video on a lo-fi YouTube channel I like (@yellowcherry_jam)

And good news, getting creative is good for you! Engaging in creative hobbies may have a positive impact on your brain, delaying brain aging and creating a “younger-looking brain”. Crafty practices, like knitting or woodworking, have also been shown to reduce anxiety and improve long-term memory.

However, there’s one thing that’s been bothering me a little bit: carefully composed and curated posts and photos that almost seem to suggest that if you want to go analog in style, you need to purchase fancy materials, new books, perhaps a sewing machine. I’m willing to bet that there are more than a few folks out there who have enthusiastically started a hobby and purchased all kinds of brand-new materials for it, only to lose interest shortly after and shove those materials into a dust-gathering pile in a closet. Don’t feel bad if this sounds familiar! Whether you’re looking to reduce overconsumption or you want to start a new hobby without unnecessary spending, I’ve got some tips for you. But first, let me narrow down the giant world of “analog hobbies” a little bit. While the suggestions I’ll share can be generalized to many hobbies, these tips are mostly geared towards activities in the “Arts and Culture” bucket (making art, reading books, baking, etc.).

Without further ado, the tips!

TL;DR? Visit your public libraries, join or host a hobby/craft swap, shop/donate at a creative reuse store.

You might not need to buy a sewing machine

I love that sewing-based crafts like quilting and clothing-making are becoming more popular among younger people (I’ll save my rants on this topic for another post). If you want to pick up a sewing hobby, I say, Yess!! Do it!! But do you need to buy a brand new sewing machine? Maybe not. Try these things first:

Check out your local public library to see if they have sewing machines available. Many libraries maintain “library of things” collections, including items ranging from microscopes to cake molds to tents to, yes, sewing machines. If your library doesn’t have a library of things collection, they might have a makerspace (what’s a makerspace? think art studio meets garage shop) that you can visit that includes one or more sewing machines. They might even have classes or knowledgeable staff who can help you learn new sewing skills. Bonus points: hanging out in these spaces can be a good way to find and engage with a community, which is good for you, too!

Sewing at the STUDIO 24 Makerspace at the North Boulder Public Library

Okay, I can’t resist. Here’s one little quilting tidbit that I want to share, courtesy of my friend and genius sewist Allison, who introduced me to this project. If you want to dip your toes into quilting, consider making a tiny quilt À la Zak Foster. This will teach you some basic quilting concepts without needing a ton of fabric or a sewing machine.

The return of CDs and DVDs

If you never stopped listening to CDs and renting DVDs, this “new trend” might seem a little funny. However, I’ve seen folks returning to CD players to listen to music and DVD players to watch TV and movies, in an attempt to disconnect from big platforms and streaming services for a variety of reasons, from protesting AI use and unfair artist compensation to just not wanting to pay for another streaming service.

Public libraries to the rescue again. If it’s been a while since you’ve visited your local public library, it might be worth a visit. I was honestly surprised by how great and up-to-date the selection of physical media, like DVDs, was at my library.

Hobby/Craft Swaps

If you’re looking to pick up a new hobby or to give your old unused craft supplies a new life, look for “hobby swaps” or “craft swaps” in your area. These are events where people can donate their unused or gently used supplies and maybe pick up some new materials while they’re at it. Here’s an example from my state: whogivesascrapcolorado.com/artswap/

Can’t find a hobby swap near you? Consider starting one! You could start with a small group of creative friends, or open it up to your community. Just remember to set up specific guidelines for donations and participation so that you don’t end up with a bunch of unusable trash.

Creative Reuse Stores

If you don’t need brand-new creative/arts supplies, why spend the cash? Consider visiting a creative reuse store first and see if you can find what you need there. Creative reuse stores typically sell new and used creative supplies and materials at low prices. I love my local creative reuse store (Art Parts) because you can find things like a great selection of typical supplies like yarn, thoughtfully curated collections of supplies (e.g., everything you would need to make a handmade Valentine’s day card), and totally unexpected or wacky materials like assorted plastic doll parts or a huge floor loom.

You never know what you’ll find at a creative reuse store!

Finally, a caveat.

If spending money on new hobby supplies is how you treat yourself, I love that for you. If purchasing a sewing machine for your living space is more accessible than visiting a public space, no problem. A little bit of mindful, meaningful spending can go a long way. Consider purchasing a small sampler kit before going all in on a craft, or buy your new sewing machine from a local small business.

While these tips aren’t exactly new or groundbreaking, I hope restating them here helps you find a pathway to trying something new that connects you to creativity and community.