Grandma hobbies

Gen Z have recently adopted hobbies typically dominated by Baby Boomers (also known as grandma hobbies) and created a resurgence in their popularity online. The sudden popularity of hobbies like crochet, puzzling, embroidery, clay-making, sewing, and Gen Z’s renewed interest seems to have grown into much more than a passing trend.

Typically, people seem to be learning these skill-based hobbies almost entirely online, on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, providing an endless supply of tutorials and inspiration. In doing so, vast online communities of grandma hobby enthusiasts are ever growing and introducing people to these new interests. But what is the reason behind the sudden resurgence, and what does it tell us about Gen Z’s current attitude?

In a world dominated by screens in every aspect of life, both socially and academically, these hobbies allow moments for purposeful mindfulness and time for creativity

While people of all generations have enjoyed these hobbies for a long time, this growth in popularity is much more than the odd enjoyer of a niche hobby. This boom, like most trends such as this, seems to be a result of the Covid pandemic and lockdown. In this unprecedented era of an extended time without regular routines of school, work, and regular socialisation, people of all generations have turned to new hobbies and interests almost as a mental lifeboat. They provided mental stimulation and purpose in a time when individuals lacked their purpose. Finding these hobbies in 2020 and beyond allowed dedicated time to be spent perfecting a new skill over a long period of time.

And yet, with regular life resuming just as, if not busier, than before, Gen Z are still taking the time in their lives for these previously perceived ‘old people’ hobbies. One of the main reasons for this could be the increasingly fast nature of the world, and how these hobbies provide a respite. In a world dominated by screens in every aspect of life, both socially and academically, these hobbies allow moments for purposeful mindfulness and time for creativity. Compared to the constant onslaught of stimuli in screens and endless farming of dopamine, slow hobbies like crocheting or puzzling help to slow down the mind. The especially creative hobbies like colouring or embroidery provide a means of creative expression that feels reminiscent of childhood crafting, and the popularity of these hobbies could reflect a growing Gen Z desire for a time less dominated by screens and stress.

While many hobbies can allow space for mindfulness and creativity, these grandma hobbies possess a specific uselessness that many others do not. In a world of speed and non-stop personal growth, it is extremely easy for hobbies, like sports for example, to be easily construed into a personal investment and a desire to be productive, and therefore lose their intended carefree enjoyment. Grandma hobbies, where satisfaction comes from the completion of crafts or progress towards a specific, but ultimately purposeless goal, it allows space for failure, lack of productivity, and slowness. These are all integral experiences for the mind and are missing from today’s day and age.

By taking the mental time to be creative in hobbies beloved by the older generation, it allows you to both physically and mentally slow down, and take time for self-reflection

There also seems to be such an interesting social component to these specific hobbies. Despite most being a solitary activity, the hobbies provide new and exciting means of socialising. Within each hobby, sharing inspiration in person and online creates friendly methods of sharing a mutual love. Furthermore, swapping hobbies or working on crafts in a social environment allows people to bond and easily explore their own skills and interests. Grandma hobbies provide no pressure, and yet every opportunity for casual socialisation.

Stereotyped hobbies that started out as another trend born out of the unprecedented boredom of lockdown have grown into an integral part of Gen Z culture, with many mental health benefits. By taking the mental time to be creative in hobbies beloved by the older generation, it allows you to both physically and mentally slow down, and take time for self-reflection. The growing social sphere of grandma hobbies is also making it more appealing to Gen Z, helping to easily establish meaningful connections based on a shared love.