15 Cosy Grandma Hobbies to Embrace Slow Living and Femininity

Our grandmothers' lives were rooted in slow living - simpler in many ways than ours, but not necessarily easier. They often raised multiple children, took on the majority of the housework and navigated strict social expectations around how women should act and look. Can you believe that before the 1970s, married women were often denied credit or even a bank account unless their husband co-signed?

On the other hand, traditional family units and clear gender roles often made it easier to understand your place in the world - something that feels a bit more tricky today. Their lives reflected the essence of slow living: less noise, fewer distractions and a more grounded pace. The internet, as we know it, didn’t exist, so our grandmothers weren’t exposed multiple times a day to the chaos of constant information: the latest trends, must-try recipes, viral dog videos, silly memes and heartbreaking news from around the world...

We’ve never had this much access to information and resources at our fingertips, which makes us incredibly lucky to live in the modern world - but sometimes, too much of it becomes overwhelming. The constant noise used to make me feel like I was always on the go and yet somehow still falling behind.

Watch My Most recent Vlog - Seasonal slow living, cosy homemaking & baking from the English countryside

Today, I encourage you to try some old-fashioned hobbies that help you slow down and embrace your femininity - just like our grandmothers used to do. These hobbies require focus and presence, letting you unplug and enjoy life the old-fashioned way.

1. Baking

My grandma Marysia spent the majority of her life in the kitchen. There was always soup on the stove and a cake in the oven. Baking is such a wonderful way to express love and care for those who will enjoy the cake you make! Plus, it’s hard to scroll when your hands are sticky with dough.

2. Bread Making

I decided to make this a separate point because bread making is an art in itself. Mastering this skill might take a while, but it will be so worth it! Bread is one of the most common foods available to us, and yet there are few finer pleasures in life than the taste and smell of freshly baked bread - the essence of slow living!

3. Sourdough

I also decided to give sourdough its own point, as it’s probably a bit more difficult than the one above. With a sourdough starter, you can make bread, cake, all sorts of pitas, pastas, crackers and buns - the possibilities are endless. But working with sourdough is truly a school of patience.

4. Creating & Organising a Pantry

Create your dream pantry with glass jars, homemade label and seasonal ingredients. Even if you don’t have a separate room for a pantry, organise one of your kitchen cupboards to your heart’s content: fill it with jars with pretty lids, create handwritten labels, and keep track of what’s being used. Make sure you don’t run out of daily essentials like sugar, flour or pasta.

5. Gardening

My grandparents had an allotment and used to grow the most impressive tomatoes. I still remember the smell of the greenhouse on a hot Summer day. Gardening will surely disconnect you from the noise of the modern world and connect you with the seasonal rhythms - whether you grow fruits, veggies, herbs or flowers.

6. Canning & Preserving

If you happen to grow fruit or vegetables, don’t let them go to waste. Capture Summer in jars by preserving them in the form of compotes, jams, and chutneys - perfect for gifting or stocking your pantry for Autumn and Winter. If you don’t have a garden or your harvest isn’t big enough but you still want to learn preserving, simply visit your local farm shop or order from an online one, grab a bunch of fruits or vegetables and get to work.

7. Making Teas & Herbal Remedies

Herbs have been used as remedies for centuries. Although they can’t substitute modern medicine, even doctors will suggest trying, for example, mint tea for digestion before reaching for shop-bought medicine. You don’t need much space to grow and dry herbs, which you can then turn into teas, herbal remedies and tinctures.

8. Reading

Another mention of my grandma Marysia - she had piles of Harlequin books in every corner. She would read at the kitchen table while the potatoes boiled or while waiting for Grandad to come back from walking the dog. 

There’s this lovely stereotype of a grandma sitting in a rocking chair, blanket on her knees, reading a book or napping - yes, please! I want to be that grandma in the future.

9. Hosting

Hosting can be a beautiful, mindful hobby focused on your home and loved ones. Prepare a lovely tablescape, cook something delicious, engage your husband or friends in conversation - maybe even whip up a dessert. Yes, it’s a bit of effort, but it’s a great way to highlight special occasions and gather with the people you care about.

10. Spending Time with Friends

Feeling connected with friends and family is incredibly important for our well-being. Did you know that people who are lonely (note: I don’t mean single - you can be in a relationship and feel lonely, and you can be single and have amazing relationships in your life) tend to live shorter lives?

You don’t necessarily have to host a three-course meal - just go for a walk or a coffee date with a friend, with all the hot gossip and no phones in sight (except maybe for a selfie together!).

11. Knitting, Sewing & Mending

…Just to name a few. Embroidery, crocheting, quilting - the list goes on. These crafts will keep your hands and mind occupied. No scrolling possible and you end up creating lovely items you can display at home or gift to friends and family.

12. Collecting Vintage China

Ahh, soon I’ll begin my own collection! In the new house, I’ll finally have a free cupboard where I plan to gather a small collection of vintage teapots, cups and saucers for different seasons and occasions - very mindful, very demure, very grandma-like :D

13. Sewing or Thrifting Dresses

Sewing your own dresses must be the peak of femininity! You can find free patterns on Pinterest or use your favourite dress as a template. If you’re not into sewing, hunting for vintage dresses is also an amazing hobby - you get a real treasure for pennies that will make you feel pretty and feminine.

14. Writing Down Favourite Recipes

One last memory of Grandma Marysia - she had a notebook, just a simple one from the convenience shop nearby, filled with recipes from friends and magazines. What I would give to get my hands on that notebook today. Unfortunately, that’s not possible, but creating your own recipe notebook is a lovely idea too.

It will not only gather all your trusted recipes in one place but also become a beautiful heritage item you can pass on to your children or grandchildren one day. Even if they’re not into cooking or baking, they’ll surely appreciate owning a notebook full of their grandma’s handwriting - I know I would.

15. Homemaking

Lastly, here’s everything above wrapped into one: why not make homemaking a bit of a hobby? I know house chores aren’t always fun (my home needs vacuuming as I write these words, lol!), but let’s try switching the narrative in our heads. Instead of suffering through each task, embrace it as an expression of love for your house, your family and yourself.

I love nothing more than a cosy evening in a freshly cleaned living room, a candle glowing softly in the corner and a night in fresh bedsheets. Next time you’re tidying, put the radio on (I love Classic FM or BBC Radio 3), light your favourite YR studio candle and channel your inner grandma!

A few closing words

I hope this list inspires you to embrace your femininity and slow down your pace, inspired by the old-fashioned hobbies and daily rhythms of our grandmothers. Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list - I’d love to hear what other hobbies you would add that embrace grandmother-like vibes!

Thank you for reading,
Adriana x

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