7 Best Analog Hobbies for Introverts

As an introvert and a homebody, I enjoy hobbies or activities I can do either from the comfort of my home or without having to travel too far from the city I live in. My favorite hobbies are the ones I grew up with, but I've discovered some new ones that I enjoy. Being an introvert doesn’t mean I dislike being around people, and some of the activities I participated in back in the day were more fun with others around (playing board and card games, taking nature walks, and bird watching), but lately the bulk of my hobbies and activities have been of the solo variety. Hobbies allow us to keep our brains active and to cut out the seemingly endless scrolling of social media apps. I don't classify myself as a doomscroller, but I'm not immune to my algorithms. My scrolling comes in the form of finding dopamine hits. I tend to look for content that is entertaining, cute, or educational. Joy, creativity, and inspiration are important to me, so I've started incorporating more non-digital hobbies and activities to quiet my brain. This list of my favorite analog hobbies and activities is for anyone who wants to cut back their screen time and stop feeling overwhelmed by social media algorithms.

1. Reading

I've been an avid reader my whole life. One of my favorite activities to do with my mom was to go to our local library. I could spend hours perusing the shelves for new or interesting books to check out. Unsurprisingly, I would come home with an enormous stack of books that I probably wasn’t going to be able to finish reading by the due date. There’s just something wondrous and magical about hunting for the perfect book to read, and that magic only comes from physical books. Holding a book is an exciting sensory experience: the feel of the embossed text on the cover, the smell of the ink, the way the crisp paper sounds when you turn the page, even the weight of the book itself. It might be easier to buy e-books and load them onto your tablet or e-reader, but the process feels cold and detached. Visiting a library or bookstore is a great excuse for introverts to get out of the house. You'll be able to spend hours looking for the perfect book or two to read. Perhaps you'll be like me and find yourself leaving with too many books to carry. There's nothing more relaxing than curling up in a comfy chair with an excellent book to read. Having an adorable cat sitting quietly on your lap while you're reading is an added bonus.

2. Creative Writing

In middle school I got hooked on writing short stories, and I would fill notebooks up with all the stories my mind was inspired to create. Eventually, I upgraded to writing stories on a computer and have been doing so ever since. It's easy to start your creative writing journey: all you need is a notebook and a pen or pencil. You don’t need to strive for perfection in your storytelling—you just need to get the words down. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, go outside and observe the world around you. Inspiration can come from anywhere—the people you encounter, a strange noise in the middle of the night, or a dream or nightmare that sticks with you all day. Just allowing your mind to wander and visualizing a story you think is worth telling is more productive than endless social media scrolling. Once you complete one story, you have the choice of keeping it to yourself or sharing it with your friends, family, or like-minded peers. If you find you have more stories to tell, you might want to start a blog or publish a book.

3. Baking

Baking is something I’ve enjoyed ever since I can remember. One of my favorite activities growing up was baking sugar cookie cutouts with my mom during Christmas. I had my favorite cookie cutter shapes that I would use all the time, and I loved decorating the baked cookies with those colorful sparkling gels that came in a tube. It’s been a few years since I’ve made cut-out cookies; I stick mainly to drop cookies such as chocolate chip or peanut butter. I still find baking fun and relaxing. It’s more fun when I get to share what I’ve made with my family. A lot of hard work, frustration, and love goes into everything I bake. My newest love is baking bread from scratch—it started with a simple Irish soda bread, then I graduated to yeast breads, and now I’m addicted to making yeast-free breads with Greek yogurt. I love baking bread so much I’ve stopped buying loaves from the grocery store. There’s something soothing and relaxing about rolling out cookie dough or kneading bread dough. All that work can lead to surprising and tasty results. You don’t have to start baking the trendiest thing online (looking at you, sourdough!); just bake something you like, maybe something nostalgic from your childhood, and just have fun. Baking allows you to unwind, but if you are someone who is new to baking or hasn’t baked for a while, start with something easy, such as a basic cookie recipe. Easy recipes are usually less frustrating than more difficult ones and will keep your mind calmer. You could also play some music to liven your mood as you bake. Just know that the bread or cookies or cake doesn’t have to look perfect. The reward is knowing you accomplished something and getting to share it with the special people in your life.

4. Crocheting

Crochet is a new hobby for me. I'm still learning how to complete stitches, which yarns are better suited for certain projects, and how to control my tension. I have many patterns saved that I would love to make. My advice for anyone interested in learning to crochet is to learn your basic stitches first before deciding what you want to create. I love amigurumi, but it isn't the most beginner-friendly. Crocheting plushies can involve a bit of sewing, such as attaching arms, legs, ears, or tails. Plushies also use safety eyes, which aren't often available in stores and have to be purchased online. I'll be working on an amigurumi project soon that uses safety eyes, but since I don't have any on hand, I'll look for alternative methods to create the eyes, such as buttons or embroidery. If you are truly interested in learning to crochet and want to make plushies rather than accessories or clothing, I would recommend checking out books that include both the basics of crochet and patterns you think you would enjoy making. Getting started on your crocheting adventure is easy: you can find most of the supplies you need at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart. If something about a crochet pattern or stitch confuses you, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help you out.

5. Word Search Puzzles

Out of all the puzzles out there, word searches are my absolute favorite. Word search books and magazines are much more fun than most of those word puzzle games in the app stores. I don’t need anything fancy—just give me the words and let me hunt for them on my own. I have activity books that are loaded with other kinds of puzzles besides word finds, and I never complete them. Crosswords can be too hard for me, and Sudoku confuses me on so many levels. Word searches are fun and relaxing, but they can also be challenging. They are the perfect introvert activity but can also be fun to play with family. Word finds were another activity my mom and I enjoyed doing together. Circling or crossing out a word that you find on the board is much more satisfying than just clicking or swiping a word in one of those word apps. I’m currently working through a word search book that doubles as a coloring book. I like being able to color in the pages once I’ve finished the puzzles. Word finds are fun to do at home or when you’re out and about, maybe while sitting in the waiting room of a doctor’s office.

6. Jigsaw Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are very nostalgic to me. Growing up, my mom and I would pull out the card table and set to work on putting a puzzle together. She taught me to first look for the corner pieces before finding random pieces that make up the scenery of the image. Even when I play digital jigsaw puzzles, I always remember to look for those corner pieces. Putting together a jigsaw puzzle can mentally transport you back to a time when things seemed simpler and quieter than they are now. Jigsaw puzzles are a relaxing activity that can be fun to play with friends or family or by yourself when you are feeling like unwinding after a long day. Unlike digital puzzles, physical puzzles don't have annoying timers counting down how long it's taking for you to finish the puzzle. Getting started on your jigsaw collection is easy; look for puzzles featuring images that resonate with you, such as tropical beaches, mountainous landscapes, or adorable animals.

7. Thrifting

Visiting the thrift store can be a great starting point for some of the hobbies and activities I mentioned above. Most thrift stores, such as Goodwill, offer a plethora of items to choose from. Used bookstores, such as Half Price Books, usually have you covered on the books and physical media front, but you can find jigsaw puzzles and activity books too. The thrift store doesn’t have to be a nationwide chain for you to find something interesting worth collecting. Local thrift stores offer unexpected finds as well. Thrifting doesn’t have to be a solo activity. It can be a fun weekend activity to enjoy with your close friends or family. Venturing down aisles, searching among shelves, or perusing through racks can yield some fun treasures. Used bookstores are my favorite places to shop. I’ve lost track of time, not only looking for intriguing books that catch my eye but also looking for CDs or DVDs of music and movies that I own on out-of-date analog formats (cassette/VHS). There’s a local physical media store that I used to visit that sells everything from books to video games, music, movies, board games, collectibles, and other entertainment-related merchandise. I even found stuffed animals from a brand that went the way of the dinosaur back in the early 2000s. Thrift stores act as time capsules for some of the simpler times, and I think more people should check them out and give them a chance. You really never know what you’re going to find, and you might end up stumbling upon your new analog obsession.