The year 2025 let brain rot define our entire personalities, made AI our therapists, and forced us to doomscroll to the point where we forgot the real world even existed. But not anymore. The deluded yet self-aware Gen Z is finally letting go of performativity to experience reality. Enter analog living, the trend that’s all about slowing down in 2026. But in a world that lives online, how will this trend help?

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What the analog living trend will change in 2026

A study by Market.Biz reveals that people worldwide spend over six hours on screens each day. It also shows that the average Gen Z person spends seven hours and 18 minutes per day on screens. The analog living trend is Gen Z’s gentle yet dedicated rebellion against overstimulated minds, creativity shutdowns, and short attention spans. 

The trend is more than just nostalgia for handwritten letters, board games or other hobbies we enjoyed in the ’90s or 2000s. Think slow mornings when you don’t consume random opinions before your breakfast, or metro rides where you observe nature instead of scrolling reels. Screens overload the brain with quick dopamine hits, leading to fatigue and restlessness. Analog activities offer slower, more stable dopamine, which supports better mood and emotional balance. It also improves melatonin production and sleep quality.

From digital detoxing to living analog

People are already hopping onto the analog living trend through digital detox. According to the Education World, 82 per cent of Gen Z respondents are actively monitoring their screen time. Through self-imposed rules, they are scheduling their screen time to be more present in real life. Along with Gen Z, 29 per cent of millennials are also taking proactive steps to limit their digital media consumption. But monitoring your screen time is only the first step of the analog living trend. To fully practise it, you need other fun, interactive, and fulfilling activities.

Analog hobbies to take up in 2026

Getting started doesn’t mean you have to disconnect yourself from the digital world entirely. Instead, you should try to move slowly into your day and take up new hobbies that don’t require the internet. It’s time to embrace the new cool and shift to “grandma hobbies” and other fun activities. Here’s how to get started.

1. Knitting and crocheting

For years, our grandmothers have been practising analog living through knitting. But you’re not too late to the party either. Get some needles, colourful yarn, and get to it. Once you learn to knit or crochet, you’ll be surprised at how naturally you start making time for it. It’s that addictive.

2. Touch grass

Step back from doomscrolling and touch grass instead. The internet slang urges you to log off, step outside, socialise, and connect with nature. Instead of using delivery apps, go out to get groceries, or just take a walk to reconnect with the offline world. 

3. Join interactive clubs

Don’t rely on your close friends and family to explore different places in your city. Instead, make some new friends. From supper clubs, travel groups, and run clubs to wellness communities and sports clubs, there are several ways to try new things in your city and meet different people. 

4. Journaling and writing letters

Struggling with unwanted thoughts? Pick up a pen and paper and write them down without worrying about grammar or structure. While this might or might not help you, with regular practice, you’d want to journal as a mindful habit. You can also write cute, short handwritten letters for your friends, family, partner, or even your future or past self. It’s a great method to introspect on your life and make better choices. 

5. Investing in screen-free gadgets

Get a camera, a basic Saregama Carvaan model with a pre-recorded song library, and, most importantly, an alarm clock. In the mornings or after work, learn photography with a digital camera and ditch your apps for an old school music player. When you go to sleep, keep your phone aside and wake up to an alarm clock instead. Use these devices to minimise your screen time whenever possible. 

6. Create an analog bag

One of the best ways to practise the analog living trend is to make an analog bag for your daily commute. Include screen-free items, like digital cameras, puzzle games, Sudoku, crosswords, a journaling notebook, and books and newspapers. Whether you’re on your work commute, at a café, or just waiting at a doctor’s clinic or parlour, indulge in these analog hobbies rather than scrolling through reels. 

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FAQs

Q1. Is analog living the same as a digital detox?

No. A digital detox is temporary and often extreme. Analog living is about incorporating sustainable offline rituals into daily life without completely disconnecting from technology.

Q2. Is analog living realistic for people with screen-heavy jobs?

Yes. It’s less about quitting screens and more about creating intentional offline moments, including screen-free meals and hobbies, journaling, and so on.

Q3. When practising analog living, how should we overcome the fear of missing out (FOMO)?

Start small and remind yourself that not everything needs to be posted online to feel like you belong. The FOMO fades once you realise being present feels better than being online.

Q4. What’s the biggest mistake people make when practising analog living?

Most people try to quit screens all at once. Instead, you should make small, consistent changes to balance your life.

Q5. Does analog living help with anxiety or overthinking?

Yes. When you limit your constant digital consumption, you become less stimulated, which calms down racing thoughts.