15 Low-Energy Hobbies to Try Instead of Scrolling Social Media

After a long day that’s left me mentally exhausted, it’s hard to muster up the motivation to do anything other than brainlessly scroll through social media. When I’m feeling low-energy, I typically avoid activities that involve anything more strenuous than moving my thumb. However, I also feel like garbage every time I waste an evening scrolling endlessly on TikTok. This year, I’m making a point to break this problematic cycle, so I did us all a solid in finding some alternative relaxing hobbies to try.

Before you run for the hills (or rather, your couch) thinking these suggestions will require you to exert energy that you just don’t have, let me reassure you: These hobbies are for lazy girls in their most vegged-out states. You won’t find hiking, rock climbing, or even baking on this list, but you will discover some unique, low-energy hobbies that just might convince you to set aside socials for the evening.

1. Color in coloring books

As far as artsy hobbies go, coloring is about as relaxing as it gets. It’s an activity you’ve probably enjoyed since childhood, and it doesn’t require any special artistic talent to have fun with it. Peruse your local craft store or search online for a coloring book that catches your attention. You can now find endless coloring book themes, including cute and cozy scenes, intricate patterns, naturescapes, or even pop culture-inspired designs. I prefer to use colored pencils for accuracy, but you could also use fine-point markers or crayons to fill in the pages. All that’s left is to cozy up on the couch with blankets and play your favorite show, movie, or music in the background.

2. Do some creative writing

Writing is a great way to express your creativity in a low-energy way. You can write about quite literally anything—a silly fiction story, poetry, or just put words to paper in a stream-of-consciousness dump. They don’t have to make sense to anyone but you! You can take it as seriously as you’d like, aiming to improve your writing as you go or just enjoy the creative outlet.

The best part about creative writing is that you don’t need any special supplies to start. Simply choose a medium, whether that be pen and paper, a blank document on your computer, or even just the notes app on your phone. Write freely, or look up some creative writing prompts online to get you started.

3. Try out diamond art kits

Diamond art has become quite popular on the craft scene, and this is your sign to give it a try! Diamond kits come with everything you need to get started, and you can choose from many different sizes. I personally like bedazzling smaller items like coasters because you can hold them in your hand, which means you can be fully cozied up on the couch while doing it.

You can find diamond art kits at most craft stores as well as online. Decide on what you’d like to bedazzle, whether that’s a canvas, coasters, bookmarks, or something else. After that, all you need to do is follow the pattern included in the kit. There are endless designs, from nature scenes to flowers to animals, and so much more.

4. Learn a new subject

If you’re looking to find a hobby that is low-energy and doesn’t require much commitment, spend your free time learning something new! You can make it as simple as watching documentaries and looking up interesting videos on YouTube or as involved as diving into a whole reading curriculum. Choose what subject interests you—maybe that’s history, science, art, or even learning more about wine (hello, self-taught sommelier!).

Get yourself a notebook and a cute set of pens to take some notes if you’d like, and choose your subject. Hop online to watch some educational videos, sign up for a Masterclass, or buy a good old-fashioned textbook to read through.

5. Practice meditation

Find your inner zen and try working on your breathing as a simple, low-lift hobby. It can help you relax, find your peace of mind, and focus on how your body feels. If you have a high-stress job or are just looking to set aside some time to really be with yourself, meditating is a great way to reset your system after a long day.

All you need to start practicing meditation is a quiet room. Simply focus on your breath and how your body feels as it is. If you aren’t comfortable with starting on your own, you can always follow a guided meditation video online or through an app.

6. Try junk journaling

Sometimes, it feels really good to make things with your own two hands. And if you want to get some creativity out of your system, junk journaling is a fantastic, low-energy hobby to try. Although everyone’s junk journal looks different, the idea is to fill the pages with found or recycled materials that would otherwise be “junk.” This might include old magazines, ticket stubs, receipts, fabric or wrapping paper scraps, coffee cup sleeves, product packaging, and other miscellaneous items. It’s all about making something out of items you already have on hand.

All you need for this one is a journal and a few supplies like tape and scissors. After that, everything else is totally up to you. Decorate the pages using pens, markers, stickers, recycled paper, or just about anything! You can use this as an everyday journal or as a way to preserve memories from special events.

7. Paint by number

Painting can be a super relaxing pastime, but deciding what to paint is sometimes so overwhelming that you decide to forgo the activity altogether. Thankfully, paint-by-number kits make it easy to create a work of art with little creativity or artistic skill needed. With the artwork and color scheme already chosen for you, this activity is mindless in the best way. Grab a heated blanket and a steaming beverage of your choice, then settle in at a table to paint away.

A quick Google search for “adult paint-by-number kits” will bring up a plethora of options to choose from, whether you prefer to paint a nature scene, a floral design, or a travel-inspired theme. Your local craft stores may also carry adult paint-by-numbers, should you prefer to browse in person.

8. Design digital collages

Everyone loves a good mood board, so why not turn collaging into a hobby? With inspiration everywhere, the possibilities are endless for this one. You can craft collages using specific themes or colors or even create digital vision boards that represent your goals and wishes for the future. And if you want to bring your creations to life, get your collage printed so you can hang it somewhere in your home.

The best part about this hobby is that all it requires is a computer or phone. To get started, look into different collage applications and find one you like (I am partial to Canva and Picsart, but you can also create collages directly within the Pinterest app). Then, just gather your photos from social media, free image sites, or elsewhere on the internet, and put everything together.

9. Take up crocheting

In addition to being a perfect match for your low-energy mood, crocheting is a fantastic practical skill to learn. While you’ll likely want to start with a basic project like a scarf or potholder, you could eventually work your way up to crocheting socks, hats, mittens, and even handbags and cardigans. Once you’re accustomed to the stitching patterns, the process becomes second nature, which is ideal for days in which your brain power and motivation have been depleted.

Crocheting is one of the easiest hobbies to begin because you only need three items, and you likely already have one of them at home. Head to your local craft store to grab a crochet hook, yarn, and scissors. Or, if you’re more of an all-in-one girly, shop online for a crochet kit. Once you have your supplies, you can teach yourself to crochet by following written and/or video tutorials. Start with something small and simple, then work up to larger, more intricate projects over time.

10. Complete crossword puzzles

For a relaxing hobby that still requires some brain power, try completing crossword puzzles! You can pick one up to work on whenever you feel like it, and it’s a fun way to give your mind a little workout. There are also so many different themes and difficulty levels to choose from, meaning you can challenge yourself as much as you want.

Depending on whether you’d rather write out your answers with your own hand or just type them in, you can either pick up a physical crossword book or find some online puzzles. Look for physical books at bookstores or on Amazon, or do a quick Google search to pull up online options, including those from media companies like The New York Times.

11. Watch and review movies

If you’re a movie lover like myself, you might already be doing this (hello, fellow Letterboxd users). Watching and reviewing movies is a great way to dive deeper into the world of film and better appreciate what’s on your screen. Instead of passively watching, you’ll start to think more critically about how all the elements of the movie work together. Your reviews will also serve as a fun way to look back at what you’ve watched and compare different films to each other.

First, you just need to decide if you will write your reviews digitally or by hand in a journal. If you choose the digital route, you can either use your notes app or an app made specifically for movie reviewing (again, I love using Letterboxd for this). After that, just pop your popcorn and get to watching! As you get more into it, expand your repertoire by watching movies across different genres to experience different storytelling techniques and tropes.

12. Play some cozy video games

When I think of video games, my mind immediately goes to the gory fighting or sports games my brother used to play growing up. And those might be fun to you as well! But what I recommend is to dive into the world of cozy games. There are tons of low-stress games out there with a variety of themes—from adventure to makeovers to cooking—so you can easily find one that’s directly aligned with your own interests.

Do some research into what games you think you’d like. From there, you can decide what type of gaming system you’ll need. Of course, you can easily find games to download directly on your phone, but for a little more excitement, try systems like a Nintendo Switch—or even just a tablet—for a bigger screen experience. And if you’re really dedicated to making this your hobby, you can even save up to splurge on a gaming console, such as an Xbox or a PC, for even more gaming options.

13. Put together a puzzle

Puzzles are one of the very best things to do when you don’t want to put much energy into an activity but are trying to resist the lure of mindless scrolling. There’s such a wide variety of puzzles to choose from as well, which ensures you won’t fall prey to boredom. Another great thing about puzzles? They’re incredibly accessible, as you can find them at drugstores and grocers, retailers like Target and Barnes & Noble, and online.

Visit a local store to peruse their puzzle selection, or search around online until you find a few that you like. As soon as you get home or your order arrives on your doorstep, you’ll be ready to sit back with a bevvy and blanket, play some calming music or a podcast, and go to town to put those pieces together.

14. Craft homemade cards

The practice of giving cards has become increasingly rare in the digital age, but it’s always lovely to receive one. Sending hand-signed cards is one of the most thoughtful ways you can let someone know you’re thinking of them, and giving a handmade card is even more touching. Similar to scrapbooking, there are many techniques you can use to create a unique piece of art that the recipient will treasure forever.

Like so many hobbies these days, you can opt for a choose-your-own-adventure route or more of a guided journey when it comes to cardmaking. To chart your own course, take a trip to a craft store and peruse the scrapbooking section for quality paper, stamps, paint, ribbon, and any other elements you might want to incorporate. Your selection will determine what tools you’ll need, but it can be as simple as scissors, tape, and glue. If you want more guidance while dipping your toes in the hobby, look for a cardmaking kit that includes all the supplies you’ll need.

15. Try your hand at calligraphy

You know what would be a fabulous addition to your homemade cards? Calligraphy. The beautifully drawn lettering instantly elevates the look of any writing, and there are many different styles you can learn depending on the aesthetic you’re going for. If you’re wary of calligraphy because you have “bad” handwriting, don’t worry! Like drawing and other art forms, calligraphy just takes practice.

Established calligraphers will tell you not to worry about buying a bunch of fancy writing utensils from the jump. Rather, they suggest starting with a regular pen or pencil and following a calligraphy workbook. Some calligraphy kits come with writing utensils, but if you already have pens you can use, start with just a workbook.

The post 15 Low-Energy Hobbies to Try Instead of Scrolling Social Media appeared first on The Everygirl.

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