Analog Living
I got tired.
Tired of the constant feed of bigotry, cruelty, and hollow opinions delivered with certainty and zero compassion. Tired of doomscrolling myself into rage and numbness in the same breath. Tired of the quick dopamine, the snide takes, the endless noise. I got tired of pretending the world on my phone was real, or worth the pieces of me it was stealing. So I slowed down. I stepped sideways. I turned the volume down on the world and up on my own life.
here are some habits I’ve adopted to live more slowly and intentionally;
• My alarm clock sits across the room.
It’s small, loud, and a little mean, but it doesn’t feed me panic or notifications. It wakes me up like a splash of cold well water. I don’t feel as “buzzy” in the morning and actually have time to adjust to consciousness now.
• Every question or idea gets written down.
In a notebook. With a pen. I don’t stop what I’m doing to look things up, I wait. Research is sacred. A ritual. Sometimes I forget what I wrote down. That’s okay too. But once a day or so I get my laptop and look ip things from my list, or if I have the time I physically go to the library.
• I handwrite thank you notes.
Even for small things. Especially for small things. Gratitude is better when it has a stamp on it. Rather than texting a friend of 15 years “thanks, had fun, love you!” I wrote actual letters. It shows much more gratitude and appreciation. Especially if it’s a deep connection. It shows you still care.
• I get 2–3 scheduled social media breaks a day.
Yes, scheduled. Those are the only times I’m allowed to scroll. Outside those windows, the phone lives in a drawer like an old ghost I’m no longer afraid of. I use this time to post on here, on Tumblr, or to just connect with friends.
• Books are made of paper.
And they live everywhere; my coffee table, the kitchen counter, my pillow. If I can’t find a book physically, I decide how badly I really want it. (Usually: badly enough to wait.)
• If I can make it, I try.
Apple butter, pillowcases, bread, herbal cleaning vinegar, all from scratch. Some days I fail. Some days I forget. But the act of trying? That’s the magic part. It’s so easy to run to the store, but it’s so much more satisfying when you make things with your hands.
• I clean to the kitchen radio.
Local stations. Static. Commercials. Music that finds me rather than me choosing it. It keeps me inside the moment. Inside the home. Less stress than a playlist. More nostalgic as well.
• We have cable.
Not streaming. Cable. I watch whatever happens to be on. There’s something oddly luxurious about giving up control. Hulu and max are for weekends and special nights.
• Yes, we have a landline.
A real, working one. You have to talk to me. And I will talk back, barefoot on the tile, cat underfoot, hands in the dishwater. I take notes, leave messages, I get tangled up in the cord.
• I watch the news and the weather.
Almost ritualistically. Every morning, first thing. Then I use my first social media break to further look into things. Wirh the state of the world I want the peace of being in control, not uninformed.
• I garden.
Not quite full scale yet, there’s a lot of prep we need to do for next year. But out garlic, scallions, tomato, and lettuce all grows on our front porch. It’s really nice to just feel the fresh air, touch some dirt, and be able to just walk outside for ingredients mid-meal.
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I couldn’t fix the world. So I fixed my corner of it. Not perfectly, in today’s society it’s hard to be truly free. I mean even without my phone I still have my Apple Watch on to track my heart.
But in doing so, I remembered what it feels like to belong to a life instead of a timeline. Now, I live in the pauses. In static and steam and soft-spined books.
I watch the weather roll in, I write thank-you notes,
and I remember what it means to be a person
instead of a product.
Stepping back from the constant digital feed felt daunting at first, almost like giving up a part of myself. But the truth is, I was simply reclaiming it. If you're feeling that same digital burnout, wondering how to start your own journey towards a more intentional, analog life, I want to share a bit more about what I've learned and how these habits truly make a difference. Moving my alarm clock across the room wasn't just about avoiding snooze; it was about reclaiming my mornings. Instead of instantly grabbing my phone and falling into the digital rabbit hole, I’m forced to physically get out of bed. This small act creates a buffer, allowing me to adjust to consciousness slowly, drink some water, and set a calmer tone for the day before any screens enter the picture. I've found it reduces that 'buzzy' feeling significantly. There’s something incredibly grounding about writing things down with a pen on paper. It's not just a memory aid; it's a way to slow down my thoughts, to really process an idea without the immediate gratification (and distraction) of a search engine. This habit, I've found, has deepened my learning and even sparked more creative thinking. When I do research later, it feels more intentional, almost like a mini-quest, often leading me to the library for a more profound dive into a topic. Sending a handwritten thank you note feels so much more personal than a quick text. Remember the joy of finding a letter in your mailbox? I’ve noticed these small gestures strengthen my relationships, adding a tangible layer of appreciation that digital messages often lack. It’s a deliberate act of care that speaks volumes, especially for those deeper connections you cherish. The tactile experience of a physical book – the smell of the pages, the feel of the cover, the ability to dog-ear a favorite passage – is irreplaceable. It’s a completely different kind of engagement than reading on a screen. I've found myself absorbing information more deeply and enjoying the reading process much more, without the temptation of notifications just a swipe away. It makes reading a ritual again, rather than just another consumption of content. There’s immense satisfaction in creating something with your own hands, whether it’s baking bread, sewing a pillowcase, or even whipping up some homemade apple butter. It connects you to the process, to the ingredients, and to a sense of self-sufficiency. It’s not always easier or faster than buying, but the reward of a handmade item far outweighs the convenience. It grounds me in a way screen time never could. Embracing simpler forms of entertainment and communication has been surprisingly liberating. Listening to local radio while I clean, complete with static and commercials, or watching whatever happens to be on cable, reminds me of a time when entertainment wasn't curated by algorithms. It’s a more passive, less demanding form of engagement that allows my mind to wander. And yes, having a working rotary telephone or even just a simple landline is a commitment! It encourages more meaningful, undistracted conversations. There’s no scrolling mid-call, just genuine interaction that feels wonderfully nostalgic in the best way. Connecting with nature through gardening, even if it’s just a few pots on the porch, is incredibly therapeutic. Feeling the dirt, watching something grow, harvesting your own food – it’s a profound reminder of natural cycles and patience. It’s a hands-on, tangible activity that completely pulls you into the present moment, offering a calming contrast to the digital rush. It’s not about perfection; it’s about the process and the peace it brings. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the digital tide, I truly encourage you to try dipping your toes into analog living. Start small, experiment with what resonates with you. It’s not about rejecting technology entirely, but about finding a healthier balance, carving out spaces for genuine connection, creativity, and calm. It’s about remembering what it feels like to truly live your life, rather than just observing it through a screen.
word. for. word. i’m collecting a few analog items before abandoning everything. the hatred is too deep and overwhelming. even getting bullied on here just for standing up against it to other people in comments who get bullied. i used to love this app. now it makes me stressed to open it.