During the Jan. 18, 2025, 12-hour TikTok ban, for most of which I was asleep, I found myself wondering what people did without phones. Were they staring out windows earnestly, creating genuine human connection, dying? In the absence of the main component of my phone addiction, I decided I needed a hobby, something to distract myself from the constant noise coming from every corner of the earth.
Societies have utilized the art of the hobby, or productive leisure, to distract and deflect from the scary realities of our world. Beginning during the Industrial Revolution, when work hours were cut, hobbies gained popularity as a way to feel productive when they had nothing else to do. Hobbies picked up again during World War II when many wanted to ease their minds, which were constantly muddled by the terror of the war. Most recently, in 2020, when the future seemed to be on the fritz and unemployment and confusion plagued the world (pun intended), hobbies returned stronger than ever, and social media intensified their prominence.
The constant input of content from our phones does make it seem like everyone has a hobby, and is good at it: Tik-Toker Nara Smith’s homemade bubblegum, BookTokers reading 200 books in a year, and DIY after DIY all make hobbies seem more common and acc than they are
A hobby may be a crutch to get off phone addiction, similar to how a vape or a Zyn is a crutch to quit smoking. Although riddled with capitalist history, the art of a hobby is still a better option than doomscrolling five hours a day. Many see hobby culture in America as too extreme, promoting the notion that being idle is wrong and that to have success, you must constantly be doing something. At times, this can become toxic and could lead to burnout.
Having nothing to do outside of school or work besides scrolling on your phone could also lead to burnout. It’s vital to have something to throw yourself into, to realize your creativity, and to get off your phone. Hobbies have been tied to happiness and improved overall well-being. A hobby could be anything really — reading, skiing, sewing, crocheting, playing tennis, thrifting, baking, cooking, hiking, gardening, and reading The Skier Scribbler are just some examples.
Hobbies are often seen as a marker of economic status. When people are wealthy, they have more time to dedicate to hobbies and improve their skills. Many common hobbies are associated with high-class society, like tennis, skiing, and traveling. Additionally, some common hobbies come with economic barriers; if you want to start sewing, you must get a sewing machine, which could cost upwards of $300; if you want to garden, you need space to garden, which is impossible for many living in apartments or other small spaces. These factors make hobbies sound pretentious and elitist, potentially deterring people away from their benefits.
There are ways to get into hobbies that aren’t as expensive. Finding hobby supplies at thrift stores is a great option; they often have fabric and sewing machines at a lower price. If you want to garden, you can find space at a community garden or create an herb garden in your kitchen. Some hobbies also don’t have a high upfront cost. With crocheting, for example, all you need is yarn, a crochet hook, and a YouTube video. If you utilize your local library, reading is free.
In 2025, while it seems that the world may be burning around us, put down your phone, forfeit your doomscrolling, and get a hobby.
