Trends often move in a cyclical pattern: what was hot a few decades ago usually will make its way back into pop culture sooner or later. No more is this true than in the area of our hobbies and pastimes, especially as we spend more and more of our daily lives staring at screens. It seems that reconnecting with those simple and sometimes old-fashioned hobbies is on everyone’s agenda for 2019. Here are some of those pastimes making a comeback.
Film Photography
Everything is digitized these days, especially photography. Digital photography has made it so easy to take, edit and share photos that nowadays, we can all do it instantly, even without a camera. This instant gratification is satisfying right now, but the analog version of photography has made a much-deserved comeback. Point-and-shoot style photography, which is popularized by the likes of Polaroid and Lomo cameras (those quirky, Austrian cameras that embrace malfunction as part of the creative expression), is the perfect antidote to the over-processed, digital photography we see everywhere from Instagram to advertising billboards. The new, updated Polaroid camera even appeals to the Insta-generation by removing the need for shaking or blowing the images before they come to life — no more having to “shake it like a Polaroid picture!”
Vinyl Collecting
Previously, the domain of diehard music fans, then the hipsters, these days, everyone is in on collecting vinyl. Just like photography, the digitalization of music has meant that it can become disposable, especially when you spend hours and hours drifting through streaming sites. Listening to vinyl, however, requires you to be present and to experience the music truly. There’s also the thrill of discovering a rare, hidden gem of a record in your local thrift store or your grandparents’ loft. Even if older music isn’t your thing, there are plenty of today’s chart-toppers who release their latest offerings on limited-edition vinyl, so there’s something out there to suit all tastes.
Board Games
Board games have had quite the renaissance these days! In the U.S. last Christmas, Google searches for “board games” reached an all-time high, according to Google Trends, and the board game industry has seen a huge amount of double-digit growth across all verticals in the past couple of years, and for a good reason, too. Board games may seem old fashioned in comparison to the high-definition video and mobile games we have at our fingertips these days, but sometimes, nothing beats gathering with friends or family to challenge each other to a game of Monopoly or Battleship. These classic games can also offer plenty of valuable life lessons and skills, and you can even take things like a game of Monopoly to the next level by applying some strategy to the way you play.
Road Tripping
There was a time when making a road trip across the country was almost a rite of passage for teens. Cramming into a clapped-out RV with your best friends and your favorite tunes, feeling the wind in your hair and the freedom of the open road and new adventures is something that everyone should experience. Luckily, road tripping has begun to make a comeback, especially as air travel from the States has become fraught with troubles and disappointments of late. It’s fun, affordable and one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Plus, you can hit the concrete on Friday evening and be back at your desk come Monday morning!
Crocheting
Move over knitting: There’s a new crafty kid in town. Crocheting, that age-old technique of creating something lovely and useful from simple yarn, is in with the popular crowd again. While knitting and quilting have both enjoyed a resurgence as of late, there’s something about crocheting that is especially appealing. It’s a fantastic activity for the brain, boosting concentration levels and improving patience. Plus, it’s a soothing way to get creative and can even improve stress and lift moods. It’s also more affordable than knitting, as crochet hooks start off at a few dollars, and you can spend as little (or as much) as you want on yarn. Crocheting has become such a popular activity that it’s even inspiring people to consider new applications for this technique such as Tahani Baakdhah, an entrepreneur who recently published a book about how to crochet stem cells for use in neuroscience. So, crocheting can be good for the brain in more ways than one!
