Generation Z is reshaping modern culture. Breaking away from a glorified hustle culture and burnout, they are prioritising self-love and balance.
So, how does Gen Z unwind?
By pausing and slowing down, we can escape the chaos of social life that overwhelms the mind. By choosing not to stress over a world squeezed into a handheld screen, Gen Z is finding joy in the slower, softer moments.
The Rise of Comfort Culture
What if the most productive thing Gen Z is promoting is comfort culture?
A survey by Soul App revealed that around 90% of Gen Z reported having at least one hobby, while close to 70% said they had three or more hobbies, indicating a profound interest. This profoundness isn’t modern; rather, it’s a revival of nostalgic creativity.
One study found that Gen Z treats these hobbies more than leisure time and actively participates to anchor their emotional profile and social belonging. It helps them to pause and pursue with a refreshed mind.
Friendships in the Digital Age
The study revealed that many of the participants made six new friends through shared interests, saying that friendships found through mutual hobbies tend to last longer and are emotionally more responsive.
For instance, Mira, a young introverted woman who struggled to build friendships due to social anxiety and her preference for a slow-paced life, eventually met a group of young people who shared similar interests and hobbies. Mira is an example of how finding friends offline in a digital world where no one is chasing clout can be more healing.
Similarly, more than 20% of participants reported meeting more than ten new people via their hobbies, highlighting the social potential of such endeavours.
Crocheting, journalling, baking, gardening, and photography are just a few examples of comfort hobbies. These activities bring calmness, giving a moment to reflect and rewind.
In a digital-driven world, these hobbies are helping Gen Z to explore something beyond their screens. It helps them to pause and pursue with a refreshed mind. The findings suggest that nearly 10% of Gen Z earn an income from hobbies, and some creative hobby fields, such as cosplay and avatar creation, can generate significant money.
The survey indicates that comforting hobbies help young people decompress from societal pressure and overstimulation, allowing the person to construct their goals effectively.
Social Media: The Mediator
Social media platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, are the main learning centers. With the help of DIY tutorials and broadcast channels, it helps people to pursue their own interests. Social media also shares how creators and celebrities do their favourite hobbies, which feels familiar to Gen Z.
Social media connects like-minded people who socialise around shared interests. One such example is a Karachi-based small business, Gia & Co. (Gia Girly Jewellery), which hosts girly soirées, which are jewellery-making workshops that intend socialisation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, YouTube emerged as a crucial hub for hobby learning. A friend learned the basics of video editing and uses those skills to do freelancing. While one enjoyed connecting with the international gaming community, the other one tried wholesome food recipes.
The pandemic also marked the emergence of Gen Z digital creators, who sought creative outlets and potential careers outside of their hobbies.
Conclusion
For Gen Z, comfort hobbies are more than just a pastime; they are their way to claim identity. Comfort hobbies serve as a means to delve into their interests and discover inspiration for forming connections within a community of like-minded individuals. Finding joy in the small acts of expression is a form of self-love that Gen Z is doing very well.