THE GOAN
PANAJI
Colourful balls of wool lie scattered across the bedroom floor as two hands sit by the window, carefully knitting a scarf. A hobby once associated with grandparents has found an unlikely audience, with youngsters picking up crochet hooks, sewing needles and paintbrushes in place of their phones. What social media now calls "grandma hobbies" is quietly becoming one of the biggest lifestyle trends among young people. According to Google Trends, searches for the term "analogue hobbies" have seen a noticeable rise since the beginning of 2026. Ironically, these activities are finding popularity on the very social media platforms people are trying to spend less time on.
The revival comes at a time when digital fatigue and burnout have become increasingly common. With many students and young professionals spending hours each day attending online classes, working on laptops or endlessly scrolling through social media, hobbies that slow life down are becoming a welcome escape. Hobbies like knitting, crochet, journaling, painting, etc. are offering something screens cannot: uninterrupted time to create, focus and simply be present.
In fact, several studies suggest that these activities are wonderful mood boosters, helping people to relax and calm down while also lowering stress and improving memory and building a habit of slow mindfulness. The repetitive motion of crocheting and sewing has been associated with reducing anxiety. Journaling, painting, drawing and sketching have been attributed to being a safe outlet of self-expression and creativity. Gardening too has been associated not just with mental wellbeing but various physical health benefits as well.
The trend is finding its way into Goa as well. Creative workshops in pottery, embroidery, candle-making and other do-it-yourself crafts are attracting participants across age groups, while flea markets, artisan fairs and handicraft exhibitions are providing platforms for hobbyists to showcase and sell handmade products. Beyond helping people disconnect from screens, these activities are also creating opportunities for small businesses, supporting local craftsmanship and building a community.
While these hobbies were once associated with the elderly, youngsters are revamping them to make them ‘cool!’ Knitted charms, crochet flowers, and handmade greeting cards are all once again coming into the limelight as people are engaging in them actively. For some, these hobbies are also becoming a way of reconnecting with family traditions. Youngsters are learning stitches, recipes, and craft techniques which were slowly forgotten over the years. Yet for several youngsters, making something by hand is also a conscious step away from fast fashion and mass-produced products, as it encourages repair, reuse and mindful consumption.
Various online clubs and communities too are playing a significant role in encouraging these activities. Earlier, girls were usually encouraged to learn skills like stitching, crochet or embroidery, not just as hobbies but as life skills they were expected to carry into marriage. Thus, some avoided them due to this association. Today, those stereotypes are fading. Young men and women alike are embracing these crafts, not out of obligation, but because they enjoy creating something with their own hands while also choosing a more sustainable lifestyle through repairing, reusing and making instead of buying.
Perhaps that is what makes this trend so meaningful. In a world that celebrates speed, productivity and constant notifications, these hobbies give a chance to slow down. Every knitted row, every brushstroke and every journal entry encourages people to pause, be present and enjoy the process rather than chase a perfect outcome. What were once dismissed as "grandma hobbies" are now being rediscovered by a generation seeking balance in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world. Sometimes, the oldest pastimes offer exactly what modern life has been missing: a chance to disconnect from screens, reconnect with creativity and find joy in making something with love, by hand.
