Analog Living Trend Gains Traction, Boosts Reading

Social media users turn to offline hobbies and physical books to combat digital fatigue

Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:07pm

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Tired of being constantly connected, people on social media are embracing a more "analog" way of life, turning to offline hobbies and physical books as an antidote to digital fatigue. The "analog living" trend, often attributed to Gen Z, promotes activities like using a physical camera, wearing a watch, and journaling with pen and paper as a way to disconnect from screens and social media algorithms.

Why it matters

The analog living trend highlights a growing desire among consumers to find balance and intentionality in their daily lives, moving away from the constant stimulation and distraction of digital technology. For readers, this shift could mean more time spent with physical books, helping to boost reading habits and engagement.

The details

Analog living differs from a digital detox in that it's a more sustained effort to incorporate slower-paced, tangible activities into daily life. Examples include using a point-and-shoot camera, getting an alarm clock, writing letters, and pursuing hobbies like knitting or scrapbooking. While the trend originated on social media, there is an element of irony as people seek to disconnect from digital platforms. However, the pandemic-era surge in analog hobbies like reading suggests the trend may have deeper roots in a desire for mindfulness and focus.

  • The "analog living" trend has gained significant traction on social media in the past 6 months.
  • Searches for "analog hobbies" on the Michael's website have increased by over 136% in the last 6 months.

The players

Gen Z

The generation often credited with popularizing the analog living trend, seeking to disconnect from constant digital stimulation.

Phil Lane

A psychotherapist and author who has written about the impacts of "constant exposure to content" and the benefits of slowing down with analog hobbies.

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What they’re saying

“Throughout the day, we are alerted, reminded, and alarmed by news updates, breaking stories, and other disruptors of our daily lives. Sometimes, we do it to ourselves: surely you, like I, have opened Instagram or another app only to lose yourself in the mire of content, not all soothing or calming.”

— Phil Lane, Psychotherapist and author (Psychology Today)

“My biggest issue was the feeling that I was putting on a performance. I was writing about [living analog] for a digital media publication and speaking to people I found on social media.”

— Ramishah Maruf, Journalist (CNN)

What’s next

As the analog living trend continues to gain momentum, it will be interesting to see if it translates to a sustained increase in physical book sales and reading habits, or if it remains a temporary shift in consumer behavior.

The takeaway

The analog living trend highlights a growing desire among consumers, especially younger generations, to find balance and intentionality in their daily lives. For readers, this shift could mean more time spent with physical books, helping to boost reading habits and engagement in an increasingly digital world.