The Rise of Analog Joy: Why Making Things by Hand Still Matters

A soft rebellion against burnout, one charm at a time

The silent fatigue behind our screens

In 2024, the average person spends over 6 hours a day on screens, with Gen Z logging nearly 9 hours. We live online, work online, and often relax online too. It’s no surprise that burnout, digital fatigue, and a growing sense of disconnection are becoming the norm.

Yet quietly, something is shifting.

More and more people are turning toward tactile experiences. Pottery classes, journaling clubs, and jewellery workshops are gaining traction. Searches for “craft workshops near me” have more than doubled in the last 18 months. Something in us is reaching for what feels real again.

What your nervous system is trying to tell you

Crafting isn’t just a nice hobby. It’s been proven to help our brains and bodies. According to research published in the Journal of Public Health, creative practices like jewellery-making help reduce cortisol levels and anxiety, while improving overall mental wellbeing.

At My Trove Jewels, we see this every time someone walks into our workshop. People often arrive visibly stressed. Within minutes, they are lost in thought, piecing together charms, choosing colours, and listening to soft music. Their breathing slows. Their shoulders relax. And for a little while, they’re fully present.

Jewellery-making becomes more than an activity. It becomes a reset.

Why handmade matters in a digital world

There is a reason people are drawn to using their hands again. The benefits go beyond just aesthetics.

• It boosts focus: Crafting engages parts of the brain that scrolling does not

• It reduces anxiety: Repetitive motion, like threading beads or gluing charms, activates the calming part of the nervous system

• It builds self-esteem: You make decisions entirely your own, then wear what you’ve created with pride

• It fosters community: In-person creative spaces promote bonding, oxytocin release, and shared joy

At My Trove Jewels, we design our workshops as spaces of calm and connection. We believe the real magic happens when people stop trying to be perfect and start giving themselves permission to play.

A story that continues with every charm

We often say that people don’t just make jewellery with us. They make moments. Some are soft and quiet. Others are full of giggles and stories shared with strangers. But all of them are proof that analogue joy still has a place in our modern world.

Choosing to create something slowly, intentionally, and imperfectly is an act of self-respect. It tells your mind and body that they are allowed to feel joy again.
And when you wear what you’ve made, that moment stays with you.

A final reflection

If you have been feeling burnt out or a little disconnected, maybe this is your sign to make something with your hands. You don’t need to be an artist. You only need to show up and choose the first charm.

“The hands know how to heal what the mind forgets.”

We’re just here to hold the space.