On any given weekend in Metro Manila, a quieter lifestyle is taking shape as more young Filipinos embrace the slow life. Friends gather for community walks before stopping for coffee. Pottery studios welcome first-time students. Bookstores and cafés are filled with readers, while craft fairs celebrate handmade ceramics and crochet creations.
It’s a noticeable shift away from endless scrolling. While social media has popularized the term “grandma hobbies,” the slow life trend is less about nostalgia than about creating space for slower, more intentional moments. Gen Z and millennials are rediscovering analog hobbies that invite them to unplug — even if they first discovered them on TikTok or Instagram.
After years of living through screens — whether for work, school, or entertainment — many young adults are seeking hobbies that offer something the digital world can’t: tangible experiences, real-world connections, and the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands.
Whether you’re looking to cut back on screen time or simply want to try something new, here are some of the analog hobbies inspiring young Filipinos to embrace the new slow life.
Move
Walking clubs
Walking clubs have turned an everyday activity into a social one, bringing together people who want to explore neighborhoods, stay active, and make new friends. As more people look for meaningful ways to connect offline, walking has become less about counting steps and more about building community.
Want to join one? Several walking groups regularly host free meetups across Metro Manila.
Create
Crochet and knitting
Perhaps the most recognizable “grandma hobby,” crochet has become a favorite among younger generations. Whether they’re making bags, plushies, or clothing, the repetitive process is part of the appeal — a reminder that not everything has to be finished in an afternoon.
Pottery and ceramics
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Studios across Metro Manila have introduced more people to pottery, giving beginners the chance to create their own ceramics. Working with clay rewards patience while embracing imperfections.
Want to get your hands dirty? Studios like Wabi-Sabi Studio and Bumi and Ashe Pottery offer beginner-friendly workshops, making it easy to try the craft.
Urban sketching and watercolor
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Museums, parks, cafés, and historic districts have become favorite spots for people bringing along sketchbooks and compact watercolor sets instead of tablets. Whether it’s sketching a streetscape, painting a café corner, or capturing a favorite travel destination on paper, these hobbies encourage people to slow down and observe their surroundings more closely. You don’t need to be a trained artist—the joy lies in the process, not in creating a masterpiece.
Want to give it a try? Urban Sketchers Manila hosts regular location-drawing meetups, while Weekend Watercolor Circle welcomes painters of all skill levels.
Immerse
Reading physical books
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The growing popularity of independent bookstores, café reading sessions, and book clubs shows that printed books continue to thrive. BookTok and Bookstagram may be driving book discoveries online, but the joy of reading still happens offline with real pages and uninterrupted afternoons immersed in a good story.
Ready to discover a new read? The Silent Book Club Manila regularly holds book meetups around Metro Manila.
Journaling
From gratitude journals to elaborate junk journals filled with stickers, photos, and keepsakes, journaling has become both a creative outlet and a form of self-care. Writing by hand offers a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and document everyday moments without worrying about algorithms or engagement.
Play
Puzzles and board games
IMAGE CREDIT: Pexels
Game cafés and cozy nights at home have helped revive the appeal of puzzles and board games. They’re a reminder that entertainment doesn’t always require a screen—sometimes all it takes is a table, a few friends, and a little friendly competition.
Ready to play? Visit One Ayala’s Hobby Hub or All ABOARD XP by The Gaming Library in Greenbelt 5, where players can discover and try a wide range of board games.
Film photography
Even with smartphone cameras becoming increasingly sophisticated, many young people are picking up film cameras. With only a limited number of shots per roll, every photo feels more intentional, while waiting for the film to be developed becomes part of the experience.
The growing interest in analog hobbies doesn’t mean Gen Z and millennials are rejecting technology altogether. Instead, they’re creating space for moments where notifications can wait. Whether it’s joining a walking club, learning pottery, filling a journal, or getting lost in a good book, these hobbies remind us that the best way to reconnect isn’t always through another app. Sometimes, putting your phone away is the first step toward something more meaningful.
Perhaps the next time you have a free weekend, resist the urge to open another app. Pick up a sketchbook, join a community walk, or lose yourself in a good book instead.
