Embracing Meaningful Offline Hobbies
Creating space for processing and socialization
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Introduction
Transitioning from a smartphone to a dumbphone or deleting social media apps can leave a significant void in your daily routine. When I initially made the switch to the Light Phone 2 in 2019, I struggled with feelings of boredom and aimlessness without the constant stream of algorithm-driven content. After just 60 days, I reverted to my smartphone habits, spending 12 to 13 hours a day glued to the screen. Realizing this wasn't a sustainable life choice, I decided to give the Light Phone 2 another chance, committing to finding alternative activities to fill my time.
This is where offline hobbies play a crucial role in a digital minimalist lifestyle. Whether it's biking, attending concerts, or diving into a good book, engaging in offline activities helps you escape the internet void and establish a healthier pace for daily life. Many in the dumbphone community face the challenge of still being drawn to online content through laptops, tablets, or smartwatches. The newfound free time from their pocket device gets transferred to larger sources of entertainment. Simply swapping the device doesn't address the underlying issue of excessive online consumption.
When I initially made the switch to a minimal device, I prioritized exercise routines and leisurely walks as my primary forms of offline recreation. However, as time has passed, I've gradually diversified my repertoire of offline hobbies to fill the void left by the constant stimulation of the internet. Here are some reflections on their benefits and some ideas that you can integrate into your life.
Processing Time
In today's fast-paced world, offline hobbies provide a rare opportunity for much-needed processing time. The internet, filled with a constant stream of information, allows platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram to flood us with endless content. Moreover, our employers have chosen a technology that seems to be an interminable task of selecting, reading, and responding to others. Amidst this constant onslaught of information, finding moments of stillness to truly understand and make thoughtful decisions becomes increasingly challenging. This constant multitasking not only fractures our attention but also hinders our ability to fully engage with any single task. As Cal Newport aptly describes it, the hyperactive hive mind perpetuates a cycle of distraction and superficial engagement, hindering our productivity and overall well-being. Therefore, carving out time for offline hobbies becomes essential not only for mental rejuvenation but also for fostering creativity and clarity of thought.
This post is a direct result of moments of deep processing from offline hobbies. Recently, I attended several enriching events, including a thought-provoking theater performance (Where Did We Sit on the Bus?) and two comedy shows featuring Nate Bargatze and Trevor Noah. While immensely enjoyable, these experiences also sparked deep reflections on the topic I’m tackling today. The laughter and conversations that followed these events revealed to me the unique capacity of offline hobbies to foster rich, memorable experiences that online activities simply cannot emulate.
Engaging in activities like attending live performances or enjoying leisurely bike rides with a loved one establishes a balanced rhythm for our minds. These moments of connection and physical activity allow us to unwind, process the events of our days, and eagerly anticipate what lies ahead. Beyond serving as opportunities for bonding and fitness, these offline pursuits provide a much-needed escape from the constant deluge of information, enabling us to reconnect with nature and gain deeper insights into our experiences.
Family, Friends, or Strangers
Engaging in offline hobbies, while often pursued individually, presents a unique opportunity to enrich our social lives. By extending invitations to others to join in these activities, we open the door to more meaningful human connections. Recently, while on my way to the dentist, I stumbled upon a pickleball club that meets regularly at the park on Thursday evenings. Intrigued by the idea, I've made plans to join them in the coming weeks. Whether it is bird watching, fishing, or a coloring party, offline activities can be a great opportunity to connect meaningfully with others, expand our social circles, and forge new connections within our communities.
I want to emphasize a crucial point: integrating offline hobbies into our lives demands intentional action and disciplined time management. Unlike online activities, which are easily accessible with just a click, offline pursuits require careful planning and dedication. Consider the difference between scheduling a night out at the theater versus streaming a movie at home, or planning a visit to a restaurant instead of opting for food delivery with DoorDash. The ease of online engagement has accustomed us to minimal effort, but to prioritize offline time, we must actively combat this inertia. Therefore, making space for offline hobbies and social interactions requires purposeful scheduling and a steadfast commitment to nurturing meaningful connections with others.
Offline First, Digital Second
As I continue my journey from digital overload towards a more minimalist approach, I find myself contemplating my upcoming year-long project. Starting in September, I intend to adopt a two-week cadence, alternating between online and offline modes throughout a full year. This cadence makes sense for my situation, but I’d like to encourage you to think about what your cadence could look like. How could your time be filled with more offline? Maybe 1 day online, 1 offline, or weekdays online and weekends offline. Whatever it is, we all need time with quality offline hobbies.
The guiding philosophy behind our endeavor should be simple: whenever we encounter a new activity, let us aim to default to its offline counterpart whenever feasible. While engaging online used to be my default, I now seek to reclaim more of my time, attention, and presence for activities that not only enrich my life but also contribute to my personal growth and well-being. If you are without many ideas for hobbies, here is a compilation from the Internet and an article to encourage you to find a way to become a better human with free time and leisure.
I am a hobby collector and I am grateful that I'm old enough I had time to develop interest in offline hobbies before I really had a digital world to also manage. In my experience, I've always had plenty of hobbies but "never had time" because of my priority structure. There's always something to do around the house, job, etc. even before playing around on the internet. So I feel like I have to get everything done around the house before I can do a hobby. Unsurprisingly, the things around the house exist in cycles (laundry and dishes for example) and they're never actually done. So I've had to be intentional about just making time to do the hobbies, (and ignore the easy access of internet memes and the pile of laundry waiting to be folded) and as a result I'm a lot happier!
Most of my offline hobbies are around sports. As many and as often as humanly possible, it's the only way I can get my brain to shut up and just move.