If you’ve noticed your friends suddenly taking up pottery, rock climbing, cold plunging, bread-making, or some atas niche craft like glass-blowing — you’re not imagining it. In 2024 and 2025, “hobby hunting” has become one of the most prominent lifestyle shifts among younger Singaporeans. And honestly? It’s not that we’re all suddenly becoming Renaissance artists.
It’s because we’re all quietly burnt out.
Burnout culture isn’t new. We’ve been half-joking about it for years — “so tired until can die”, “living for the weekend”, “my brain is buffering”, that kind of thing. But the difference now is that instead of just tanking through, young adults are actively seeking ways to reclaim joy, identity, and mental wellbeing.
And that’s how hobby hunting exploded.
What Exactly Is Hobby Hunting?
“Hobby hunting” is this new cultural phenomenon where people rotate through different hobbies, sampling a little bit of everything: one month they’re crocheting, next month they’re bouldering, then they suddenly show up drinking natural wine and sketching still-life fruit bowls.
Some call it “the adult version of CCA explorations”.
Others call it “the Ikigai quest but with Shopee carts”.
Either way, at its core, it’s about trying different activities until something actually sparks joy — no pressure, no performance, no need to be “good” at it. Just vibes.
Why Are Young Singaporeans Burnt Out?
Let’s be real — Singaporeans have been conditioned since young to be high-performance machines. But Gen Z and younger millennials are hitting a breaking point. Here’s what’s fueling the burnout flame:
1. Hustle culture is dying — but the after-effects linger
Even though everyone keeps announcing “soft life era!”, many are still carrying years of go-hard-or-go-home conditioning.
2. Workloads are heavier, boundaries blur
WFH, hybrid work, Sunday-night Slack messages… the lines between rest and responsibility have basically evaporated.
3. Rising cost of living = constant stress
Everything expensive. Ice cream also expensive. Even taking a break feels like a luxury.
4. Social comparison on steroids
Thanks to TikTok and Instagram, everyone else seems to be thriving, glowing, and attending 999 activities — while you’re just trying to finish your cai png.
This emotional cocktail creates the perfect storm for burnout. And so, hobby hunting becomes both a distraction and a lifeline.
So Why Hobbies? What Makes Them the New Coping Mechanism?
1. Hobbies are the antidote to productivity culture
We’re so used to measuring everything — KPIs, calories, step count — that hobbies feel freeing because they don’t need to be productive. No one cares if your clay cup is crooked. It’s supposed to be crooked. That’s called “art”.
2. They bring back a sense of play
Adults rarely get chances to play. A hobby gives you that precious dopamine hit that isn’t tied to work or achievement.
3. They create pockets of community
From climbing gyms to pottery studios, young Singaporeans are finding spaces to connect offline again. It’s wholesome, low-stress, and doesn’t require small talk over drinks.
4. They help with mental grounding
Activities like baking, knitting, gardening, or even building Gundam models give your brain something slow and tangible to focus on — a break from doomscrolling and overthinking.
What Are the Most Popular Hobby-Hunting Trends in Singapore Right Now?
If you want to understand the zeitgeist, here’s what’s blowing up:
1. Pottery & Clay Art
Probably the most iconic hobby-hunting symbol at this point. Everyone who touches clay suddenly thinks they’re in a Studio Ghibli movie.
2. Bouldering & Indoor Climbing
You’ve seen the IG stories: chalky hands, close-up of the wall, someone saying “I almost finished my Project!!”.
3. Sourdough & Home Baking
The Great Singapore Bake-Off era has returned — with fancy Dutch ovens and expensive flours.
4. Crochet & Knitting
Thanks to TikTok tutorials, half of Singapore now has a crocheted bag or bucket hat.
5. Pickleball & Soft Sports
The easiest sport for people who want to feel sporty without actually dying on the court.
6. Journaling, Scrapbooking & Mini-Canvas Art
Cute, therapeutic, and great for people who need quiet hobbies.
7. Coffee Appreciation
Suddenly everyone owns a grinder, an espresso scale, and an Aeropress. Once you join, cannot escape.
8. Nature Walks & “Soft Hiking”
Singaporeans love hiking… but only if the trail is flat, shaded, and has a café at the end.
The Real Reasons Hobby Hunting Is So Comforting
1. It gives people an identity beyond work
When work becomes your entire personality, burnout hits harder. Hobbies help you rediscover who you are outside the office.
2. It offers achievable wins
Finishing a crochet square or climbing a slightly higher route gives a tiny rush of accomplishment — without corporate politics.
3. It helps build self-worth without comparison
You do it for yourself, not for a KPI or performance review. That’s rare in Singapore culture.
4. It’s a socially acceptable form of rest
Many Singaporeans struggle to rest without feeling guilty. Hobbies give rest a “purpose”, which makes it easier to embrace.
But Is Hobby Hunting Just Another Trend?
Yes and no.
Will some hobbies fade after 2–3 months? Confirm yes.
Will some people abandon their climbing shoes after spraining their pinky? Also yes.
Will someone buy $700 of baking equipment and never bake again? Absolutely.
But the impact of hobby hunting is real:
It’s shifting the mindset from “work is life” to “life needs joy”.
>It’s reminding us that rest doesn’t need to be earned — it’s necessary.
Even if the hobbies change, the desire for balance won’t.
How to Start Hobby Hunting (Without Spending Your Entire Salary)
1. Try cheap or free options first
Attend trial classes, borrow equipment, or join community groups.
2. Give yourself permission to be bad
The goal is fun, not mastery.
3. Don’t force it
If the hobby feels like another job, it’s not the right one.
4. Follow curiosity, not trends
Just because everyone is climbing doesn’t mean you must climb too. Maybe your hobby is birdwatching at Bishan Park. No judgement.
At the End of the Day…
Hobby hunting is more than a TikTok aesthetic. It’s a sign that young Singaporeans are craving something deeper — joy, community, identity, and rest. And honestly, if crocheting a funky hat or hiking at MacRitchie helps someone feel human again, then why not?
We all deserve to find the tiny things that make our lives feel richer.
Even if it’s just for a season, a phase, or a vibe.
Always our pleasure to share good things with everyone 
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