Analog Living Is Not A Trend
A quick rant on turning lifestyles into a product
The concept of using analog technology isn’t new to modern pop culture. Vinyl records, film photography, nice stationery, and tactile hobbies have become more popular over the past decade—and have existed long before that.
This interest seems to grow exponentially as corporations and media outlets attempt to normalize AI slop and engineer algorithms that keep us chronically online.
Amidst this slop-fest, more and more people are sticking their heads out and finding ways to unplug or practice their interests without depending on the internet. However, what is human nature without a bit of exquisite self-sabotage?
The internet/corporate/influencer hive mind has caught up and declared 2026 the “year of analog,” and will try its best to capitalize on it. This is where I grow cynical and cautious about analog becoming a trend when instead it should be something simple, affordable, and, most importantly, applicable.
Living an analog lifestyle—meaning activities not involving a computer—is not about consumption. You don’t need the shiniest film camera, the most high fidelity record player, or Japanese pen and paper to replace your smartphone use. Rather, it should be a decision to practice being present and intentional, accepting both the sublime joy and inconvenience of activities outside of staring at a screen.
Deciding to try more analog hobbies or activities should be based on your interests and intentions to be purposefully offline, not because it looks cute or sounds cool. It shouldn’t resemble a complete overhaul of your life, but rather a curiosity to try things you enjoy, differently. It could be reading physical books again, shaking the dust off your parents’ old music collection, or physically writing things down—anything from a grocery list to personal prose.
The act of selling an analog lifestyle is frustrating because it’s misleading and misses the point. People aren’t listening to records or shooting on film solely because it’s “cool” or “chic” (though that may be a factor), but because it can offer peace of mind, a sense of ownership, and a deeper relation to the world as it once operated.
Analog living doesn’t start with buying a $50 cassette player or a $150 point-and-shoot film camera. It starts with an inner curiosity and a desire to practice one’s habits and hobbies purposefully. It begins with rummaging through your family’s old trinkets (with permission, of course), and it shouldn’t end with a massive Amazon cart.
As a result, analog living cannot be a trend. It existed long before it could be labeled as such by Forbes or any other entity. It didn’t start in 2026, and it won’t end there either. The option has always been yours.
Best,
Santi
This is so awesome!!!! Memories of you as a kid with your CD player in middle school came flooding back to my mind when i read this!