Due to constant exposure to the habits and ideas of others, people, and more specifically young women, are drawn to many different hobbies seen on the internet and performed by friends and family. There is something so rewarding about being a jack of all trades, whether you can sew, bake, code, or do handiwork around the house. Lately, young women have been more and more intrigued by traditional hobbies or more colloquially “grandma hobbies”. New forms of social media like TikTok and Pinterest have given older hobbies a spotlight and have given young women more exposure to activities most popular around their grandparents’ time. Activities like beading, sewing, baking, knitting, and crocheting are all viewed most frequently as traditional activities done by women in the early and late 20th century. But why are they reappearing today?
There has been a more recent feminist movement surrounding the idea that women can embrace their femininity without being viewed as less strong or independent than women who do not. There is often a negative connotation around being a feminist and indulging in traditional homemaker hobbies. It is possible that this idea combined with social media exposure, has given these hobbies the resurgence they needed to take the limelight with younger generations once again. Women are able to embrace their femininity through these hobbies without feeling like they are compromising their roles as strong independent young women. As an avid baker, sewer, and crocheter, I have always felt a little embarrassed to be outwardly proud of my hobbies and still feel like a strong, feminist woman. However, now that they are seen more as skills and are more popular I feel as though I am able to be proud of my work and also use it as a way to connect with other young women with similar interests.
Most of these hobbies can be used as stress relief as well, which I believe plays a huge role for its target audience. Young women today are craving productive hobbies that can cleanse their minds but not curb their creativity. Activities like puzzling, scrapbooking, and knitting are some examples of hobbies that promote thought and artistry but don’t add to the endless stress of student life. Personally, I think these activities are a great way to spend time with friends and loved ones without having to stress about planning. My quality time spent doing puzzles or making homemade earrings are some of my favorite memories looking back on times I have spent with friends. I no longer feel like I am compromising my independence as a young woman by taking up these homemaker hobbies; I hope others are able to embrace their femininity by doing and sharing these hobbies with the people around them without fear of backlash. There are so many things that can divide our generation as people, but activities such as these can help bring us together and hopefully relieve some stress along the way.