Influencers Embrace 'Analog Lifestyle' in 2026

Experts say people are looking to reduce distractibility and related stress by unplugging from digital devices.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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As 2026 dawned, social media influencers proclaimed it the year of the 'analog lifestyle' - a call to reduce digital connectivity as smart tech and screen time dominate people's attention spans. Influencers from California, the UK, and Germany said they would print photos, read more books and magazines, and take up hobbies that don't require Wi-Fi to reduce their 'exposure and reliance on digital stimuli'. Experts say the trend is a response to smartphone dependence that was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, with people seeking to reclaim their time and attention.

Why it matters

The 'analog lifestyle' trend highlights growing concerns about the mental health impacts of constant digital connectivity and smartphone dependence. Experts say people are making a 'valid connection' between their online lives and overall psychological well-being, which studies have shown can suffer from heavy digital use.

The details

Influencers like Selly Tan, Rosie Okatcha, and Sanchi Oswal have pledged to embrace analog activities in 2026, such as printing photos, reading physical books and magazines, and taking up crafting hobbies. This comes as data shows 91% of U.S. adults now own a smartphone, up from 35% in 2011. Experts say the goal is to 'rebalance time and energy and reduce distractability and related stress' by stepping away from constant digital stimuli.

  • At the dawn of 2026, social media influencers proclaimed it the year of the 'analog lifestyle'.
  • In 2025, Pew Research Center data showed an estimated 91% of U.S. adults own a smartphone, up from 35% when the center first surveyed smartphone ownership in 2011.

The players

Selly Tan

A social media influencer from California who said people are 'craving something real again' and vowed to embrace analog activities.

Rosie Okatcha

A social media influencer from the U.K. who proclaimed 2026 would be 'The Age of Analog' with consumers swapping digital for analog activities.

Sanchi Oswal

A social media influencer from Germany who said she felt going analog would reduce her 'exposure and reliance on digital stimuli'.

Lillie Beacope

A senior at USC who said she feels there's 'not a chance for us within our day-to-day lives, to really get a break from technology'.

Natalia Khodayari

A postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis who studies the mechanisms of attention and emotion.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The 'analog lifestyle' trend reflects a growing desire among young adults and younger generations to create boundaries with their digital lives and find more mindful, intentional ways to spend their time. While the concept of unplugging isn't new, social media influencers are helping to spread the message that it's a valid response to the mental health impacts of constant connectivity.