The Analog Hobbies That Actually Help You Stop Scrolling

If you feel the urge to do something with your hands while watching TV, crocheting could be the perfect solution. It requires just enough attention to interrupt scrolling habits without feeling like work. And if you’re new to crocheting, Woobles are a great entry point. A few of our editors and writers swear by them.

Editor Ally Hirschlag says she enjoys the fact that “I'm actually creating something (and something really cute at that) with my hands.” And you have to admit: The options, like a derpy tiger and Lord of the Rings-themed sets, are adorable.

The kits come with yarn and a crochet hook. Beginner versions are pre-started, so you can dive right into the fun part without getting frustrated. You also get access to a user-friendly online guide that takes you through every step of the process. Crocheter Sarah Glinski, RD, says of the hobby, “It's more relaxing, and it's a way to pass the time in a very low-stress way.”

I’ll also add that, as the recipient of a crocheted monstera plant from a friend, the end result also makes for a charming, treasured gift.

I started practicing calligraphy because, after years of mostly typing, my handwriting had degraded significantly. I arrogantly assumed that because I learned cursive (I know I’m dating myself here), calligraphy would be a natural outlet.

Well, it wasn’t, and I’m still working on reclaiming a semi-legible signature. But I’ve found that calligraphy, frustrating as it can be at times, is oddly soothing with its repeated swoops and curls. Learning how to hold the pen, how much pressure to apply, how to form different letters — it’s intensely irritating and intensely satisfying at the same time. Plus, I find pleasure in choosing different ink cartridges. (I’ve been practicing with the Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Pen set.)

But if you want an easily accessible kit that has everything you need to get started, I like this Quarto Calligraphy Kit. It comes with both cartridge and felt pens, ink cartridges, calligraphy paper, and an instructional book that shows you the different types of lettering.

If you’re feeling especially busy or overwhelmed, your first urge may be to reach for your phone. “I’ve noticed folks tend to use screen time, particularly scrolling social media platforms, as a way to distract themselves from difficult feelings,” says Childs Heyl.

Whether you’re jotting down the highlights of your day or listing worries so they don’t gain momentum in your head, putting pen to paper can be a very satisfying way to start or end your day with intention. We like these Rifle Paper Co. journals for their hard covers (something about a hardback just adds gravitas), ruled pages, and whimsical designs. They also come with a black ink pen. 

It could be considered more of a skill than a pastime, but sewing is the sort of skill you’ll use regularly in your daily life (and it’ll save you trips to the tailor). By learning to sew, you’ll also end up with something tangible. Sure, there’s a learning curve, but it’s a deeply satisfying hobby to master.

We like the Brother XM2701 for its beginner-friendly features, like an automatic needle threader, a jam-resistant drop-in bobbin, and simple dial-based stitch selection. With 27 stitches and six presser feet, you still have plenty of room to grow, but without the machine feeling too intimidating.

Editor Ashley Ziegler owned an earlier version of this machine (the LX3817, which has since been discontinued). She says she’s only just learning to sew after taking a local class, “so it takes quite a bit of time and attention for me still, but I love it. I love the process of turning a giant piece of cloth into something my kids can wear, or a bag, or whatever. It's so satisfying.”

While Ziegler admits that the learning curve has her FaceTiming her mother for help with her projects, she (rightfully) concludes “that's still better than doomscrolling.” 

Moleskine sketchbooks are a popular choice for their high-quality, ivory-hued paper and sturdy lay-flat binding. These features make it easy and satisfying to fill pages with your artwork. Moleskine sketchbooks also come in a variety of sizes; the Art Plus, in particular, is portable enough to slip into a handbag or backpack.

“Drawing, especially on the Moleskine sketchbook's smooth pages, is such a tactile and visual pleasure,” says science writer Kate Horowitz. “I pick it up between tasks, when I need to unwind, or while listening to music.”

If your goal is to spend less time on screens, using a Kindle might feel a little counterintuitive. But in the right circumstances, it solves a very specific problem many of us have: scrolling in bed.

I love my Kindle Paperwhite for many reasons. I don’t need a physical bookmark, I can read in bed without disturbing my partner, and the device has no apps or notifications to distract me. It also solves my only real gripe with physical books: Toting more than one on a plane can be a hassle, whereas tucking the Kindle Paperwhite into my purse or tote is a cinch, since it’s very thin and lightweight. It’s also glare-free, so you can read outside, too.

I’m not alone in my appreciation for the Kindle. Childs Heyl says it reduces her scrolling time by hours. “I sleep better, feel smarter, and have seen my creativity boost.”

Caitlin Beale, RDN, says her Kindle is paired with her local library, so she has an extensive TBR (to be read) list saved on her Libby app. “Anytime I hear about a book I want to read, I save it to my list so I'm never left wondering what to read next,” she says. 

A craft like using Perler beads is an absorbing option if detail work is your jam. The process demands attention: You place small beads onto a grid to form a design. But it’s also soothing. Once you start, it’s easy to stay focused, if only because your hands are busy and your attention can’t wander (unless you want to spend days finding beads).

Health and parenting writer Julia Pelly, MPH, found that crafting with Perler beads keeps her more present with her kids, too. “I also like that there is a product at the end and that you can't really be bad at Perler beads,” she says. While it requires focus, Pelly appreciates that it’s a very flexible hobby. “It's only as time-intensive as the design you choose to make, and you can happily enjoy it for as little as 15 minutes or for quite a bit longer.”

Trying a watercolor set may help you realize you’ve got artistic abilities after all. Watercolor paints are fluid and blendable, making it easier to create something that looks polished, even if you’re a total newbie. Unlike acrylics or oils, you need relatively little equipment to get started (paints, brushes, and watercolor paper). Cleanup is easy: Everything is water-soluble, so you don’t have to worry about using strong chemicals to clean your brushes. Watercolors are also quite portable, so you can take them with you on a trip or to your local park for inspiration.

We liked this set because it’s affordable and has everything you need to get started (so no more worrying about whether you’re getting the right kind of brush). Plus, between mixing colors, controlling the water, and building up layers, it’s hard to half-focus on anything else. That’s exactly why it works so well as a break from screens.

Writer Katharine Chan, who also likes Iuile’s iridescent shades, says that through watercolor painting, “I can enter the present moment effortlessly, and my nervous system is all unwound by [the time] it’s time to go to sleep.” She adds: “I’m not a traditionally talented watercolor artist. But with the metallic or iridescent paints, I simply play and focus on making pretty colors and sheens.” 

If scrolling splinters your attention into a dozen directions, doing puzzles has the exact opposite effect: It pulls all your attention into one place. Putting together puzzles, especially ones with 1,000 or more pieces, is a popular activity with our editors and contributors. While the options are nearly endless, Ravensburger puzzles are highly regarded for their high-quality materials, huge range of prints, and “soft click” technology, minimizing those frustrating false fits.

“I like that jigsaw puzzles use my intellect and engage my brain, but in a calming, ordered way,” says nutritionist and writer Sarah Garone. Puzzles also have the added benefit of acting as both a solo and a group activity. Food writer Marisa Olsen likes that it’s “an activity my whole family can do together.” And Brittany Scanniello, RD, finds that puzzling is a great antidote to the days when “I feel we are constantly going all day, then after school it’s straight to sports, then homework, dinner, and bed.”

Pro tip: Scanniello recommends getting a puzzle table (similar to this one) so you can leave your puzzle out and move it around as needed.

“I get to dive into a story that engages my mind rather than passively absorbing content from a phone,” says Chan. “It's way better to imagine how a character looks than to see them on screen.”

Whether you have a category you know you like (Chan’s go-to reads are murder mysteries and books by female Asian authors) or you’re looking for something new, you may want to consider a book subscription box. This way, you’ll get a monthly delivery of suggested titles sent right to your door, which helps with the decision paralysis you may feel in a bookstore (online or in-person).

We love that Cratejoy’s Used Books Monthly subscription is sustainability-focused. Add in some additional self-care with the Bubbles & Books box, or keep up to date on the latest fiction titles. 

A blank sketchbook page may feel overwhelming, but other, easier ways to tap into your inner artist are available. Consider a coloring book. You don’t have to come up with an idea or worry about whether or not it’s “good” enough; you can just start filling in empty space, which can feel so satisfying.

Crayola’s adult coloring book is a favorite of Ziegler’s, especially when she needs some wind-down time. “I can spend hours hyper-focused on coloring,” she says. “I usually have a podcast playing (ADHD brain), and I just kind of zone out. It's a nice way to get creative, play with different color combos, and work on a no-stakes project that's purely for fun.”