We’re always so optimistic when we make our New Year’s resolutions, setting goals to be healthier, more active and save more money. But this year, one of the top resolutions for people worldwide was to spend less time on their phones and more time making connections in real life. And it turns out, a lot of them are actually sticking to that one.
The idea of “going analog” and trying to cut down on screen time and get more fact time is really taking off on social media. You may have seen the trend in your feed, as users share the ways they’re trying to spend less time on digital devices, including creating an “analog bag” of things to reach for instead of your phone, like magazines and sketch books.
If you’re ready to try “going analog,” these are the habits and hobbies helping others make the shift.
- “Junk journaling” or scrapbooking - Getting back to basics with pen and paper is one of the best ways to get offline. Creative crafters are repurposing, recycling and using “junk” like old magazines and receipts into personalized journals, to document memories and also jot their thoughts down.
- Learning a new craft - Fiber arts are also keeping people’s hands busy so they don’t mindlessly start scrolling. Whether it’s crochet, needlepoint, knitting or sewing, with a little yarn, thread or fabric, it’s a fun way to make something while cutting down on screen time.
- Finding different ways to communicate - Our phones are our main source of communication, but if your goal is to be on it less, you have to rethink what being connected looks like. Instead of posting about a trip, people are sending postcards and letters with updates. Some are so committed to going analog they even installed landlines at home.
- Setting screen time limits - They’re not just for kids anymore! There are even devices to help stop the scrolling, like the Brick, which locks specific apps, like social media and games, until you physically “un-Brick” the apps you blocked.
- Focusing on physical media - Some people who really want to step back from digital media are going old school to listen to music on vinyl or CDs instead of streaming services. Others are giving up their Netflix habit for intentionally choosing DVDs to watch.
- Learning to cook - It’s the perfect time to boost your skills in the kitchen and make meals from scratch. It doesn’t get much more analog than dusting off a cookbook, finding a recipe to whip up and enjoying it with people you love.
Source: People⠀
Scott's Thoughts:
- What’s next? Playing board games, going to the library and shopping at the mall?
- I embrace technology but also step away from it occasionally.
- I do cut back on screen time and it helps me to sleep at night.