After yet another year spent dodging pop-up notifications, doomscrolling all night, and staring endlessly at harsh, glowing screens, it’s no surprise that many of us are desperately craving a little more peace and quiet and balance. As the new year starts to approach, there is no better time to rethink how you spend your downtime and swap out some of those digital timekillers for more fulfilling hobbies and wellness trends that can genuinely restore your energy.
Screen-free activities don’t have to feel restrictive or old-fashioned. In fact, they can prove to be some of the most grounding, creative, and enjoyable parts of your week. From putting pen to paper and rediscovering the joy of reading to getting your hands messy in the kitchen or outdoors, these simple practices can help you slow down and reconnect with yourself.
If you’re hoping for a calmer, more intentional new year ahead, here are some screen-free hobbies to help you rest, recharge, and reclaim your time.
You can start your screen-free hobby journey by first getting yourself away from your phone and computer and reacquainting yourself with pen and paper. One of the simplest and most rewarding screen-free hobbies you can pick up in the new year is journaling. Whether you’re jotting down daily reflections, experimenting with creative writing, or simply getting something off your chest privately, writing in a journal every day can help provide you with a fun and unique space for emotional processing and introspection.
Similarly, if you’re looking for some added structure and clarity in your day-to-day life, then you might want to use a daily planner in 2026. Using a daily planner can help you prioritise what matters most in your week and give your brain a much-needed break from digital overload. Many digital calendars and planner apps bombard you with ads and notifications, cluttering your days with noise and distractions for the sake of “productivity”. A curated pen and paper planner can help you make your priorities clearer and your days lighter, with less overtime and more you time.
While we’re on the subject of pen and paper, another fruitful screen-free hobby you can pick up is reading! For most people, the act of reading is a reward in itself, but studies show that reading books also has benefits that range from a longer life to career success. Reading can help reduce stress, spur inspiration, reduce loneliness, and even help with sleep.
Physical books are, of course, great screen-free ways to read, as are magazines and newspapers. But even reading on an e-reader is just as beneficial and healthy as reading physical print. E-reading devices use e-ink technology, so their displays are easier on the eyes compared to the harsh LCD screens on our smartphones and tablets. So no matter how you decide to read in the new year, just commit to reading at all, and you may find a new way to fill out your free time besides scrolling through social media!
Another way to shake up your free time away from screens is by taking up cooking and baking recreationally outside of the time you usually cook your meals. Spending time in the kitchen is not only practical and hands-on, but it can also be deeply therapeutic. You can foster a newfound passion for cooking by trying out new recipes on the weekends, experimenting with fresh ingredients each night, or attempting your own version of a holiday family favourite.
Cooking and baking allow you to be creative and present while getting your hands just a little bit dirty. By allowing yourself some time to play around in the kitchen beyond simply preparing your daily rudimentary meals, you can even start to build up your own confidence in front of the stove. You may find that cooking and baking provide unforgettable experiences to occupy your afternoons and evenings with, all while producing something delicious to enjoy, of course.
Speaking of getting your hands dirty, perhaps the best way you can reduce your screentime in the new year is by scheduling some green time. Touch grass—literally! By getting out of the house and connecting with nature, you can make your days feel longer all while decreasing your levels of stress and anxiety.
You can start small by taking walks in the afternoon or by enjoying your morning coffee and breakfast outside. If you can, maybe even find yourself some binoculars or a strong enough camera so you can take up birdwatching or wildlife photography. That way, you can also flex your scientific or creative thinking during your time out in nature.
For nature exposure even closer to home, try and enjoy any of your other hobbies outdoors instead of cooped up indoors. If you’re able, you can maximise a small space at home and pick up gardening. You can start a small herb garden on your patio or plan a larger garden plot. It’s a great way to connect with nature as well as a productive project to spend your summer on.
Reduce Your Screen Time & Reclaim Your Time This New Year
As you step into the new year, remember that you don’t necessarily need a digital detox retreat or a total multi-step productivity overhaul in order to feel more grounded. All you may really need are just a few intentional screen-free moments woven into your week. Whether you’re filling up pages in a journal or planner, losing yourself in a new book, making a mess in the kitchen, or soaking up some sun on your breaks, these simple hobbies offer something screens rarely ever do: real rest.
By choosing to pursue activities this new year that nourish your mind, spark curiosity, and reconnect you with the world beyond your devices, you give yourself permission to slow down and reclaim your time. Start small, stay curious, and let these screen-free habits provide you a calmer, more mindful, and genuinely restorative new year.
