I found my off screen activity.

Like many millennials these days, I found myself yearning for something to do that didn’t involve staring at a screen. Every arvo, my social feeds brimmed with posts about crafts, puzzles and all sorts of hands-on kits, promising to replace endless scrolling with something more meaningful. The sheer number of choices was overwhelming—I often hesitated, not wanting to spend money on hobbies that might just gather dust in the cupboard. It seemed like every day I wanted to dive into a new activity, but couldn’t settle on one.

At first, I felt hopeful. Maybe a new puzzle or kit would give me that sense of purpose I was missing. But more often than not, I’d end up on the couch, aimlessly scrolling through my phone, only to realise an hour had disappeared. I’d be left feeling empty and a bit guilty. That disappointment gnawed at me, and I started to question whether I’d ever find something that really gripped me. I knew all that screen time wasn’t doing my eyes or mind any favours, and seeing so many people take up hands-on hobbies made me feel like I should be able to join in. It made me feel like I was the only person who didn’t have an active pastime.

So, I dove into the world of crafts, starting with puzzles and punch hole kits. Before each attempt, I felt that spark of excitement, convinced this might be the one that would truly stick. While I worked, my thoughts would bounce around. I felt a flicker of joy when I finally found the missing puzzle piece after searching for minutes, but that excitement quickly faded as my attention wandered. Soon enough, restlessness crept in—I grew distracted, impatient, and even irritable. The repetitive tap of puzzle pieces or the fiddly frustration of lining up those tiny holes would start to grate on me. When the novelty wore off, I’d abandon the project, leaving another half-finished puzzle in the corner or a kit still sitting unopened. Each unfinished attempt chipped away at my confidence, and I began to wonder if there was something wrong with me for not enjoying what everyone else seemed to love.

The disappointment felt heavy—almost as though I was failing some kind of grown-up test for relaxing. But then, almost by accident, I picked up an adult colouring book. I didn’t expect much, just another diversion that would end up half-done. To my surprise, the simple act of choosing colours and filling in shapes brought a calm I’d never experienced before. The scent of coloured pencils, the soft scrape of lead on paper, and the slow emergence of patterns under my hand helped my mind to slow down. For once, I stopped worrying about what I was missing online or the mess of unfinished hobbies. The frustration faded away, replaced by a gentle sense of satisfaction with each completed page. Seeing fewer blank pages in the book gave me the satisfaction to keep going.

Over time, this routine didn’t just help me switch off—it changed how I approached the rest of my life. I started ending my days with twenty minutes of colouring, and found my sleep improving, my anxiety easing, and the temptation to reach for my phone fading. That sense of calm and accomplishment seeped into other parts of my day—I could focus better at work and found myself actually looking forward to quiet evenings, rather than dreading them. Reducing my screen time has helped me reconnect with myself and find joy in simply being present, instead of constantly chasing new distractions.

If you’re struggling to find a screen-free hobby that feels right, don’t be too hard on yourself. Not every craft or activity will suit you, and that’s perfectly fine. The disappointment of unfinished projects is normal, but it’s also a sign you’re searching for something that genuinely helps you unwind. Sometimes, the most unlikely pastime—like colouring—can surprise you with how much calm it brings. So, give yourself permission to experiment, let go of expectations, and embrace whatever activity makes you feel at peace. Remember, the journey to finding your hobby is just as important as the hobby itself. It’s not just about finding the perfect activity, but about learning to be gentle with ourselves as we try.