Modern Mindfulness: Behind the Rise of the ‘Analog Lifestyle’

The Trend: We all dream of it sometimes: deleting social media, cutting ties with society, and disappearing to a piece of land in the woods. That’s a pipe dream for most of us who have modern jobs and families, but there is one way we can indulge in the sublime of simpler times: adopting the “analog lifestyle.” The trend involves spending more time on activities that don’t involve WiFi, like reading physical books and using vintage cameras.

What People Are Saying: One writer went analog by rekindling old hobbies such as scrapbooking and writing in an actual journal with an actual pen. She said her millennial heart “couldn’t be happier.” Others are committing to the lifestyle by rejecting AI in favor of — imagine — thinking for themselves. Some call it a “modern version of a mindfulness approach.”

What to Know: Study after study finds that excessive screen time negatively impacts our mental health. And while “digital detoxes” are nothing new, the analog lifestyle is a longer-term commitment. Instead of deleting “the apps” off of your phone for a week, going analog means making intentional choices every day. Our world revolves around technology, so the internet isn’t going anywhere, but this trend proves it’s possible to take control back and live your life the way you want to.