Is the Analog Lifestyle Trend Really Analog at All?

"Late last year, posts about people committing to an " analog lifestyle" in 2026 began circulating the internet. This involves lowering screen time by committing to other hobbies and interests, like purchasing iPods instead of streaming music from a phone, using digital alarm clocks instead of the in-app one or participating in an offline activity instead of immediately grabbing your phone."

"It makes sense: It was the last era before technology really began to evolve, not yet harmful in the way we've learned it is now. Many of us are experiencing unprecedented levels of social media fatigue and addictive doomscrolling habits, so naturally, cultivating a lifestyle that involves being less online sounds rather appealing and refreshing. It's reconnecting with life in a way, and yet for some reason, no one can stop posting about it."

"To some extent, yes. Partly because of this trend, many online communities are evolving. According to data from TikTok, there's been an increase in several hobbies and interests that correlate with analog lifestyle. "Analog bags," for example, are tote bags full of hands-on activities, with the hashtag having a 75% week-over-week growth in 2026. The bags are filled with journals, books, art supplies - essentially any kind of activity that keeps your hands busy and distracted from the phone nestled in your pocket."

People are adopting an analog lifestyle in 2026 by lowering screen time and favoring offline hobbies like using iPods, digital alarm clocks, and calling on landlines. Many aim to recreate early-2000s simplicity through magazines, face-to-face interactions, and hands-on activities. Rising social media fatigue and addictive doomscrolling motivate the shift. Online communities are growing around analog practices, with TikTok noting increases in related hobbies and a 75% weekly growth in the “analog bags” hashtag. Analog bags contain journals, books, and art supplies to keep hands busy. Some parents are designing analog-first homes to keep children screen-free. Widespread online sharing of analog practices creates a paradox between offline goals and online visibility.

Read at InsideHook