11 slow living hobbies that lean into a calmer rhythm
As the New Year begins, it's the perfect opportunity to set meaningful goals that prioritise your wellbeing. Slow living hobbies, from sewing to gardening, are great places to start.
"The slow living lifestyle fits well with hobbies that incorporate an element of mindfulness — creative hobbies such as arts, crafts, designing, baking, or music all fit this category well," explains Eloise Skinner, an author and psychotherapist.
"The attention to detail required for these hobbies requires us to bring our focus into the present moment. We can then find ourselves fully immersed in the task, enjoying the process — instead of rushing to complete it."
Looking for New Year's resolution ideas? Here are some slow living hobbies to explore...
1. Journaling
Journaling about how you feel offers an array of benefits, from easing stress to sparking self-discovery and boosting mindfulness.
According to a study conducted by the University of Rochester, journaling helps control your symptoms and improve your mood by helping you prioritise problems, fears, and concerns. It also helps you to track any symptoms day-to-day and provides opportunities to identify negative thoughts.
Journaling is a wonderful slow living hobby as it takes time, helping us to reflect, think and be. You could jot down your thoughts in a notebook or consider a gratitude journal, like this one from Papier.
2. Thrifting
Thrifting takes a slower, more mindful approach to fashion and shopping. It invites us to buy less and shop more responsibly.
"A great hobby for your mind and conscience is second-hand shopping. Increasingly popular thanks to its eco-friendly benefits, it allows you to immerse yourself in the moment," Catharina Björkman, Scandi lifestyle expert at Contura, tells us.
"Search for local markets or vintage shops and spend an hour combing through stock for the perfect find. Starting a collection is a meaningful way to shop with a purpose and also stops you from picking up too many unnecessary knick-knacks."
3. Grow your own
Gardening is a slow and intentional hobby that enables you to connect with nature and the environment. The benefits of growing your own produce include reduced stress levels and better mental wellbeing, as well as increased self-sufficiency and more control over what you eat and how it's grown.
"Searches on Houzz for the term 'vegetable garden' are up by 61% last year," says Amanda Pollard, senior editor, houzz.co.uk. "It's widely reported that spending time in nature can have great therapeutic benefits, plus the satisfaction of seeing – and eating – the fruits of your labour means this hobby can be especially satisfying."
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4. Knitting
Knitting is often seen as a meditative and calming activity. Elena Lo Presti, the director of Craft Forward, explains why: "I've discovered firsthand how knitting can be a peaceful break in the middle of the chaos of daily life. It's truly magical how the rhythmic motion of the needles and the gentle touch of yarn can transport us to a place of calm and mindfulness.
"I think knitting, especially when done in a group, has the power to unlock more than a simple skill," adds Elena. "It is always refreshing to witness the positive impact knitting has on mental wellbeing, instilling a sense of accomplishment and inspiring a slower, more intentional way of living."
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5. Reading
Whether it's fact or fiction, reading encourages us to move away from screens and escape the stresses of daily life. Slow living isn't about losing time by going slowly; it's about gaining time by doing things that are most important to us.
"A slower pace of life can often help us to feel more settled, less anxious and less overwhelmed. It can also help to reduce physical symptoms of stress – we might feel less restless, for example, or a reduced sense of tension," adds Eloise.
6. Indoor gardening
"Creating a living wall adds freshness to any room and works for nature lovers who don't have access to a garden or green space," says Catharina. "From putting the wall together to tending to it, creating and maintaining a living wall will allow you to be fully in the moment.
"Enjoy the process of watering each plant every few days, trimming dead leaves, giving plant feed and repotting as necessary. A thriving plant provides a sense of achievement and joy and will be sure to dispel any feelings of stress."
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7. Cooking
"Learning new skills in the kitchen is always a nice way to relax and means you can literally eat the fruits of your labour," says Catharina. "Baking, cooking and mixology are wonderful hobbies as they can be shared with friends and family, but remember, the point isn't to achieve perfection, but to get creative, enjoy the ritual, and distract yourself from daily stresses."
8. Sewing and crafting
"Homeowners may be turning to mindful activities like sewing and crafting as a break from today's fast-paced and increasingly digital world," explains Amanda, who has seen a significant increase in searches related to hobbies on the site.
"Searches for 'sewing room' were up by more than 2.5 times in the first three months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, and 'workshop' and 'craft room' both saw a steep increase in searches."
Other craft-led slow hobbies to try include colouring, soap making, candle making, scrapbooking and origami.
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9. Birdwatching
The mental health benefits of birdwatching are profound. According to Care UK, bird spotting can be a meditative activity, providing people with the opportunity to spend time in a quiet place without any distractions. Especially for those living with dementia, listening to birdsong has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
"Birdwatching has a meditative quality that is commonplace in slow-living hobbies," an RSPB spokesperson tells us. "While there's never any guarantee that you'll spot the bird you're looking for, you're certain to spot something, be it a bird, a beetle, or a delicate carpet of bluebells."
"Birdwatching, as well as the benefits it can yield for mood and well-being, is highly accessible to people of all ages."
10. Walking
Wandering through woodlands or forests has the power to uplift our mood and change perspectives. "Walking is an obvious slow living hobby and has many benefits," Karen Liebenguth, from Green Space Coaching, explains.
"Other than helping to keep us fit, being outdoors in nature is great for reducing stress levels, lowering the heart rate and blood pressure, and making us feel more relaxed, grounded and confident. Spending time in nature also helps to strengthen our immune system, improves our mood and reduces feelings of isolation."
11. Painting
And finally, there's never been a better time to reach for the paintbrush. "The act of painting requires concentration, however it is such a pleasurable experience. This is what makes it a perfect slow living hobby," says fine artist, Jane Lloyd.
"The focus provides a state of mindfulness, it slows down the mental chatter and allows a relaxing feeling to fill your mind freeing you from stress and worry. Painting is also a creative act which allows you to express yourself, your thoughts and emotions."
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