2026 has been dubbed the “year of analogue,” as many want to take a step back from the digital world. Material crafts are having a comeback, including snail mail and paper journals. Hobbies as a whole are gaining recent popularity as alternatives to staring at screens.
There are many different hobbies for many different kinds of people, like reading, bedazzling, gardening, sewing and more. Below are some of the hobbies that UT students are trying out in 2026.
Cross stitching and embroidery
Cross stitching and embroidery are both art forms that use thread and needles to create different designs on fabric. The main difference between the two is that embroidery is more diverse and free-form, while cross-stitching has a more pixelated-looking design.
Willa Andrews is a freshman anthropology major who started cross-stitching this year.
“Cross stitching helps me relax and destress after doing a lot of homework, because it gives me something to do with my hands without having to put a lot of thought into it,” Andrews said.
Andrews purchases kits with the patterns pre-printed, which she believes makes it much easier and more relaxing than if she were following a pattern online.
“I really like being creative, so cross stitching is one way that I can express some of that creativity,” Andrews said. “I also really like to draw and paint, but cross-stitching is less time-intensive.”
Similarly, Charlotte Roselin, a sophomore communications major, has recently gotten back into embroidery.
“I loved the idea of creating something delicate yet thought out, similar to when I used string to make friendship bracelets growing up,” Roselin said. “I decided to pick back up this project because I realized that I’ve been wanting to be more grounded in my day-to-day.”
Crafts such as embroidery and cross-stitch are great ways to lower stress and anxiety levels. In a college environment with so much happening at all times, it is important to find a balance between academics and relaxation.
“With the stress of school and extracurriculars, it can be difficult to find spaces of peace and time for you,” Roselin said. “I am absolutely enamored with the idea of delving into a mindless activity that not only serves mental wellness but also creative freedom.”
Learning an instrument
Playing an instrument has numerous benefits for the mind, such as strengthening concentration and memory. It has also become easier for beginners to learn because of the abundance of YouTube tutorials, apps and instructions that can be found online.
Madeline Beasley is a freshman majoring in social work who has played the guitar before and is now learning how to play the drums.
“My dad always played drums when I was a kid, and I’ve always wanted to follow those footsteps to be just as cool as my dad,” Beasley said.
Another thing instruments help with, Beasley pointed out, is hand-eye coordination. This is important for daily tasks and a person’s motor skills.
Music programs are offered to over 90% of elementary schools across the country. As adults, playing instruments is less common, although as of 2023, making music is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States.
“My academics have strayed far from the arts, and it sometimes makes me sad,” Beasley said. “So, since I’ve managed to learn an instrument before, it seems like learning a new one would be fulfilling.”
Cooking
One of the most productive hobbies to pick up is cooking, as the products made can be eaten for meals.
Cooking is the top hobby listed in the U.S., and it is a very diverse skill. There are hundreds of different recipes to choose from, and so many of them can be found online.
Braden Robertson is a junior majoring in journalism and media who has recently started cooking.
“I wanted to start cooking actual meals for myself rather than eating fast food and ‘throw-in-the-oven’ meals,” Robertson said. “I have the Snoop Dogg cookbook, so it’s a fun way to create new meals.”
Cooking is an efficient way to prioritize healthy eating as well as monitor ingredients. Instead of spending money at a restaurant and choosing from a specific menu, cooking offers the freedom to pick and choose from any recipe or style.
“It keeps me and my friends full and often saves me money,” Robertson said. “I think every college student should try to cook or bake — it can be much healthier and cheaper.”
