Why Gen Z Doesn't Have Any Hobbies (And How to Fix It)

Side Hustles, Screens & Burnout: Why Gen Z Can't Enjoy Hobbies Anymore

For years, people have been saying that hobbies are dying. Research across the US, UK, and Europe shows that outdoor play has declined while screen time has skyrocketed. If you're Gen Z, chances are you're spending an average of 6 hours a day on your phone, so where’s the time for traditional hobbies?

But here’s the twist—while it's easy to assume social media has killed hobbies, finding actual proof that Gen Z has no hobbies is harder than you’d think. During the pandemic, people actually picked up more hobbies, from baking sourdough to learning the ukulele. So, the real issue might not be that hobbies are disappearing but that they’re evolving.

So, let's dive into what’s really happening. Are traditional hobbies fading? Or is Gen Z just engaging with them differently? And most importantly—how can we reconnect with hobbies that bring real joy?

Short Attention Spans & Endless Distractions

We’ve all heard it before: "Gen Z has no attention span!" There’s even that widely quoted stat that says our attention span is shorter than a goldfish’s (which, by the way, is totally made up).

The truth is, attention spans aren’t necessarily shorter, they’re just more selective. The reason TikTok, video games, and social media hold our attention for hours is that they're designed to be addictive. Meanwhile, traditional hobbies require patience, focus, and effort—things that feel way harder when you’re used to instant dopamine hits.

This shift means that leisure activities now compete with hyper-stimulating alternatives. Why spend months learning an instrument when you can play a game that rewards you every five seconds? Why struggle through a book when a 60-second summary on TikTok can give you the key points? This isn’t just about attention spans—it’s about the modern relationship with effort and delayed gratification.

Why We Don't Have Time for Hobbies Anymore

It’s not just distractions—there’s also less time for hobbies than before. Studies show that Gen Z is:
✔️ Sleeping less
✔️ Spending more time on homework
✔️ Working harder to keep up financially

Many people feel that hobbies have to be productive to be worth the time. And if they don’t lead to career success, self-improvement, or side hustle potential, they feel like a "waste." This "hustle culture" mindset makes it hard to enjoy hobbies just for fun.

Ever tried picking up a new skill, only to immediately think, "Could I monetize this?" or "How do I make this aesthetic for social media?" If so, you’re not alone.

Hobbies used to be about pure enjoyment. Now, they come with added pressure:
❌ Is it Instagrammable?
❌ Can I turn it into a business?
❌ Will it make me more productive?

This mindset kills the joy of hobbies before they even start.

Everything is a Side Hustle Now

One of the biggest reasons people struggle with hobbies is the pressure to make money off them. Thanks to rising living costs, job insecurity, and social media glorifying hustle culture, the line between "hobby" and "work" has blurred.

🔹 A 2023 survey found that 53% of Gen Z has a side hustle.
🔹 33% say they need it to cover basic expenses.
🔹 29% say they will always need a side hustle to get by.

When you’re always thinking about money, it’s hard to justify time spent on something just because it’s fun. And even when people do start hobbies, they often feel guilty if they don’t turn them into a business.

Before long, something that started as an enjoyable escape becomes another source of stress.

Burnout is Killing Hobbies Too

Between work, school, social pressure, and financial stress, Gen Z is burned out. And when you're exhausted, the last thing you want to do is put energy into a hobby.

A survey found that:
⚡ 63% of people wish they had more time for hobbies.
⚡ 62% think hobbies are too time-consuming.

Burnout makes it easy to default to low-effort distractions like scrolling on your phone instead of picking up a book or playing guitar. The result? A cycle of mindless consumption instead of mindful creativity.

How Hobbies Have Changed

The good news? Hobbies aren’t dead—they’ve just shifted. If you look at data from the pandemic, the top hobbies people picked up were:
✔️ Cooking 🍳
✔️ Exercise 🏋️
✔️ Video games 🎮
✔️ Reading 📚

But even within these hobbies, there are new trends:
▶ Cooking & Fitness → More focused on health & productivity rather than creativity.
▶ Video Games → Moving toward solo play rather than social gaming.
▶ Reading → More people are buying books than ever, but fewer are actually finishing them.

Instead of hobbies being about fun, relaxation, or self-expression, they’re often tied to self-improvement, competition, or financial gain.

Why Traditional Hobbies Still Matter

Engaging in real hobbies has proven benefits for mental and physical health:
✔ Lower stress & anxiety
✔ Improved memory & focus
✔ Stronger creativity & problem-solving skills
✔ Reduced risk of dementia
✔ Higher overall life satisfaction

Traditional hobbies force you to slow down, focus, and enjoy the process—something that’s increasingly rare in a world of instant gratification.

So, how do we bring hobbies back into our lives?

How to Reconnect With Hobbies (Without Pressure)

1. Accept that hobbies don’t have to be productive.
Not everything has to make money or impress people. Find something you enjoy just for the sake of doing it.

2. Reduce digital distractions.
Try setting app limits, turning your phone grayscale, or even switching to a dumb phone to help break the habit of mindless scrolling.

3. Start small.
If you haven’t read a book in years, don’t start with a 500-page classic—pick something short and engaging. Hobbies are like muscles—they take time to build.

4. Choose hobbies that fit your lifestyle.
Not everyone has time for 3-hour painting sessions. Find hobbies that work with your schedule, like journaling, photography, or even learning a new language in small bursts.

5. Be okay with boredom.
Not everything has to be entertaining. Sometimes, boredom is the first step toward creativity.

Gen Z Does Have Hobbies—We Just Need to Reclaim Them

Hobbies aren’t gone. They’ve just changed. While many traditional hobbies have faded, new ones have emerged—but they often come with added pressure, distractions, and financial stress.

The key to reconnecting with hobbies is to let go of the expectation that everything has to be optimized, productive, or profitable. When you stop chasing perfection and just enjoy the process, hobbies become fun again.

And honestly? Fun is the whole point.

So, what’s a hobby you want to start (or restart)?

Stay inspired with more deep dives into Gen Z culture at Woke Waves Magazine.

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