Do you miss the analog days of the past? This isn’t just about nostalgia, though. Analog living has value for anyone who craves a simple, slower, more old-fashioned pace of life. Here’s how you can ditch the digital and practice the lost art of an analog lifestyle.
Ah…the internet.
There’s so much to say on this topic, and I’ve been thinking of writing this post for a while now. You see, I’ve been a heavy internet user since my college days, and in the last decade+ I’ve experienced many of the benefits and frustrations that internet brings.
As an adult, I’ve never lived without the internet. But the bulk of my childhood was internet free. We used clunky computers to play Carmen Sandiego, practice typing, and make WordArt. Nowadays, using a computer or device is pretty much synonymous to using the internet…and people are connected almost 24/7.
The internet is a noisy and often exhausting place. And not surprisingly, many people are beginning to miss the analog days of the past, when internet usage was just a small sliver of our day–or even week! What do I mean by “analog”? To me, an analog life means embracing physical, tactile, non-digital ways of interacting with the world.
And here’s where I need to make a disclaimer. I’ll keep using the internet–even rely on the internet for some things–because it does fit with my goals for a simple, flourishing life. You’ll hear me talk about using the internet less, but I’m not saying to give it up altogether! (Although I am curious to read this book about how one lady did that for a year.) The internet lets me write my blogs and reach readers. It allows me to shop online from small businesses I can’t physically visit. And of course I use it for entertainment–reading my favourite blogs and watching weekly installments of “my show.”
Disclaimer over, here’s my point: Analog has value. Value that most of us are passing by because we’re just so distracted and entrenched by all the shiny tinsel of the World Wide Web. For those of us who crave a simpler, more old-fashioned life, we have got to learn to unplug and put the internet back in its box. Stamp it with an “occasional use only” label. Start filling our lives with “real world” connections, activities, and solutions.
There’s a growing body of people who are thinking along these lines. People who are embracing a slow approach to life, practicing digital decluttering, and deleting their Facebook accounts. It’s encouraging and eye opening to hear from people like this, who remind us we don’t need to be glued to our phones. We don’t need to have Yelp and Instagram and weather apps on tap.
In fact, it’s better for our well-being if we don’t. This year, I’ve been reading books that have shaped my perspective on this. The Shallows offered insight on how the internet affects us. Reclaiming Conversation reminded me of the social graces that we develop when we communicate without digital filters. Also, it made me think about how much I want to delay smartphones for my kids! Deep Work–my favourite of the three–was a wake-up call to be a better steward of my time.
Using the internet–judiciously–fits with how I want to live my life. But analog living is something I want to cherish, and it pays to reevaluate my digital vs analog practices from time to time.
7 practical, everyday ways to embrace an analog lifestyle
If you feel like you spend too much of your time online, or relying on digital, here’s how you can throwback to old-fashioned, analog practices. (For more in-depth explorations of internet, phone, and social media usage, I encourage you to check out the books I mentioned above!)
1. Read physical books
Over on my literary blog I talked about cutting back on Netflix in favour of reading more books. And for me, this usually means physical books. I think Kindles are good inventions. I’m not snobby about needing to read printed books, but to me, a hold-in-your-hands book always connects me to the content within more deeply. I don’t know exactly why this is. But I love the way books smell, love feeling the mound of pages under my fingers and using that as a guide to how far I’ve read and how far I’ve got left.
Real books are cozier. So my first and favourite way to get back to analog is to get back to reading!
2. Wear a watch
This is something that will affect you multiple times per day. Do you fish out your phone to check the time? If you want to be less attached to your device, be old-fashioned and wear a wristwatch. You won’t be tempted to glance at your phone when you’re at a restaurant, playing with your kids, sitting in church, etc.
Not long ago Eric bought me a vintage 1960s Swiss watch I picked out on Etsy. Apparently most of the ladies’ watches made nowadays are quite large, which isn’t my style. This one is petite and works well for both casual and fancy. It’s a bit of old-fashioned, classy style that I love–I just have to remember to wind it each day!
3. Be social without social media
Go on coffee dates, join a book club, and practice hospitality to nurture your relationships locally. For long-distance friendships, catch up with a phone call and write paper letters, instead of always falling back on Facebook.
4. Play boardgames
Whether adults or kids, a lot of people’s “play time” is mediated through a screen. So for analog entertainment and play, break out the boardgames! It’s a great, non-TV way to spend an evening. My 90s childhood was full of Sorry and Clue and Monopoly. I love these classics, but game options have soared–now we love Dominion and Forbidden Island and Codenames. (I really should write a post just dedicated to our favourite games! Would you read that?)
5. Use real film
When I was young I remember a dinner guest raving (boasting?) about his digital camera. None of us had seen one before. I was duly impressed, but also wondered how “real” a digital photo could be if you couldn’t hold it in your hands. And I also wondered: if a digital camera lets you take hundreds of pictures…wouldn’t you feel rather compelled to take hundreds of pictures? Sure enough, the man showed us how he had taken about 50 pictures of a raccoon. With that many, he said, he was sure to have gotten some really great shots.
I know, the novelty of digital cameras is gone now, so most of us aren’t taking 50 pictures of raccoons. However, I believe the ease of digital still keeps us overly tethered to our phones. And although it is nice not to store a bajillion print photos, we have suffered a bit of a loss in not flipping through hold-in-your-hands photo albums like we used to. Don’t you think? I miss that, and I want to get more of our pictures printed.
6. Write things down on paper
Admittedly, apps are handy for keeping track of things. But there’s just something about writing things down on paper that I’ll always love! I think my brainstorming is more creative when I put pen to paper page. Try keeping a list journal, and see if you don’t agree.
7. Get information from people and books
Google and Alexa want to know everything, but no matter how refined they become, you’ll always be getting information filtered through an algorithm. Although it takes longer, sometimes it’s more helpful and rewarding if you actually dig for answers in a library book. Or call someone who would know. Also? I think you might remember things better if you have to work for it just a bit more.
Like the other “Lost Arts” I’ve explored in this blog series, embracing analog is a rewarding practice. At the very least, make it a point to cut back on email and social media, remove apps from your phone, and turn off notifications. Then enjoy the peace and quiet.
This post is part of my “lost arts” series, where I pick an old-fashioned habit to discuss and talk about why we should blend it back into our modern-day lives. Here are the other posts in this series (I’ll be adding more in the coming months!):
Recovering the Lost Art of Dressing Up
Recovering the Lost Art of Porch Sitting
Recovering the Lost Art of Cooking from Scratch
Recovering the Lost Art of Take a Bath
Recovering the Lost Art of Old-Fashioned Blogging
Recovering the Lost Art of Solitude
And here’s my post on 5 Old-Fashioned Habits That Are Due for a Comeback
Laura says
December 20, 2018 at 11:22 pmI love this! And I’m happy to note I do most of these. I even busted out my real film camera a while back (but didn’t get as far as finding film to buy!). I spend WAY too much time on the internet (currently have 16 tabs open!) but also love to disconnect. Thanks for writing this and being part of the conversation! Merry Christmas!
Elsie says
January 7, 2019 at 1:40 pmThank you and you’re welcome(: I always have a ton of tabs open, too. One night I actually had multiple dreams going and I was switching between them like I switch between tabs on my laptop. And even in my sleep I was thinking of the dreams in terms of tabs. Yes, really. It was weird…and I apparently am not good at uni-tasking online! I really enjoyed disconnecting a lot this Christmas. (Hence, my late reply to comments here!) Hope you have a lovely year ahead!
Kasey says
December 21, 2018 at 4:35 pmFantastic post! I’ve been in the same state of mind lately…right down to deciding to purposely wearing a wristwatch! I also deleted my Facebook acct early this year (for GOOD this time), and have purposely sought my favorite books locally at thrift stores or the nearest used bookstore just to have the physical copies in my possession- whether to feel them, admire cover art up close, or have my daughter read the same copy should she desire to be an Austen-head like her mother ;P ! It really helps to read that other women (who try to build each other up in our respective roles!) are like-minded and sincere in their relationship with Christ like you! Blessings to you and your family!
Elsie says
January 7, 2019 at 2:13 pmThank you! I love hearing from like-minded readers like you. I, too, have been enjoying more and more books over the last few years! If you’re not following it already, you might enjoy my literary blog over here: https://teaandinksociety.com/blog/
And good on you for deleting Facebook! That is a big step, and one I’ve definitely considered myself. I am using it for certain blog-related things, but I still may delete it eventually. It’s always interesting to hear about others doing so.
Debbie Fodor says
December 21, 2018 at 7:20 pmI am glad you are not writing suggested gift posts – I don’t even bother to read those sorts of posts on blogs I follow. That is not why I read blogs.
There were no home computers when I was growing up. My husband bought our first home computer when my youngest daughter was a baby, and that was 24 years ago, so I have many memories of life before computers.
I too like reading physical books, though at times read digital copies of books on my iPad if I am not sure I want to spend the money to buy the actual books. I write notes and shopping lists and to-do lists on scrap paper. I like writing. It is faster and more convenient for me to pull a small sheet of paper with a written list on it out of my pocket than it is to pull out a bulky phone or other device and then find what I am looking for on it and then make sure I press the correct buttons.
Keep up the good work!
Elsie says
January 7, 2019 at 2:20 pmThanks for your encouragement! I’m really excited about the blogging year ahead, even if the posts I have planned aren’t always seasonal or “trending”(: And I’m so glad to hear there are other women like me who appreciate the analog things of life.
Nicole says
December 21, 2018 at 11:16 pmHi Elsie,
I just have to say I have so been enjoying this series! I rarely reads blogs and have never before been a blog follower. I actually get excited when I see a new post from you and look forward to sneaking in tea time -slash- maybe the kids will play and not jump on me time – to read your works. Thanks!! -Nicole
Elsie says
January 7, 2019 at 2:22 pmThank you for saying that, Nicole! What you describe is exactly what I want for my blog to be for people! Something to look forward to and enjoy with tea(: Thank you for reading!
Patricia Sannwald says
December 22, 2018 at 9:04 amMany of these I do on a regular basis . I go to the library, use a pen to make lists, write letters on paper and talk to people on the phone. My two year granddaughter goes to the library with me and brings home books. She asks “what you need” and writes the grocery list. I wear a watch because it’s quicker than searching for the phone on the purse. Great thoughts on the the lost arts of life.
Elsie says
January 7, 2019 at 2:27 pmOftentimes in this digitally-focused, latest-gadget world, it can feel like I’m really going against the flow if I go the “old-fashioned” route. It’s heartening to hear that there’s others like you where “old-fashioned” is perfectly normal!
Sandie says
December 22, 2018 at 11:08 amI love this series! And yes I would love to read a post about your favorite board games. I love board and card games and am always looking for new suggestions.
Elsie says
January 7, 2019 at 2:27 pmOk, great! I will work on a post like that, then! We have built up a nice little game library since getting married, and I would love to share our favourites!
Moonsparkle (ZM) says
December 26, 2018 at 4:25 pmGood post and great ideas! I love the internet but I do spend a lot of time online. I also grew up in the 90s and didn’t use computers much till I was in my early teens at secondary (high) school. I love reading physical books, Kindle is handy and I enjoy reading blog posts, but books are my favourite. I like the smell of books, lol. I usually wear a watch but the battery recently stopped, so I need to get a new one. I miss wearing one and find myself going to look at my wrist! Love to write in notebooks too.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family! 🙂
Zania
Elsie says
January 7, 2019 at 2:38 pmThank you, and happy New Year to you as well! I love how books smell, too. I’ve even found that certain publishing houses carry their own scent. Like my Oxford World Classics. They’re very distinct, and I love getting a whiff when I leaf through them(:
Sallie Borrink says
December 28, 2018 at 8:51 pmYou already know how much I love this! Thank you for sharing a link to my Facebook post. It’s now been nine (?) months and I honestly don’t miss it. I thought I would use my husband’s account to check on a couple of health-related groups and such, but I don’t.
We’re the last generation (Gen X) that will have grown up with an analog childhood. While I appreciate much about the internet, I’m so glad it (and social media) wasn’t around while I was growing up and in college. We had so much more freedom without it.
Sallie
Elsie says
January 7, 2019 at 3:16 pmThat’s very interesting to hear you haven’t even needed to access FB. At this point I think I could live without it for sure, but I have some good things going with a Facebook group for my other blog, plus a couple good blogging groups. We shall see. I may still delete down the road…keeping that possibility in mind.
I’m glad for my internet-lite childhood, too. I want to keep it in mind as I raise my boys, and not just go with the flow of massive amounts of screen time. Just because everyone else *seems* to be fully integrated into digital everything, doesn’t mean we need to be! (And it doesn’t mean that everyone is. I often hear from people who are pushing back and seeing the need to set boundaries). Thanks for reading!
Kathryn Hutton says
December 29, 2018 at 10:26 amI have a library! I use my internet mostly as an encyclopedia for information. Facebook I check once a week to keep track of family in other states n countries. I have a garden journal (sprial), a weather journal and a prayer journal. I write lists on cute paper with the month at the top. If the internet died I’ll be fine but miss the 5 blogs I read.
Elsie says
January 7, 2019 at 3:17 pmThat’s a good way to put it…yes, I’d miss a couple things, but ultimately I’d be fine and move on. And probably mail out a print version of my blog, since I love writing!
Judith says
January 9, 2019 at 2:51 amHi Elsie,
Your post SO SO SO resonated with me!! I’m in a much older age group than you but I did embrace the new computer age back in 1998 when I was introduced to the Internet etc.
Sadly, I believe it is having a detrimental effect on a lot of people, especially children with irresponsible parents who are themselves addicted to anything digital. I use public transport and I sometimes feel like crying when I watch the mother with her nose in her phone, and not talking at all to the young one she has her. Disgraceful. What is more important than interacting with your child?? When I had my children with me back in the day it was non-stop interaction from the time we left home until we returned!!
Like you I love to read actual books (the library is my second home), and I definitely wear a watch even though I have a mobile phone, I love paper. My daughters tell me I should buy an iPad or something but I won’t be doing that. I keep a Diary and I love choosing a new one every year, and I keep them. Years of diaries take up space, but hold a wealth of memories etc.
Love your blog.
Elsie says
January 14, 2019 at 5:37 pmI really love hearing how a desire for analog living crosses generations. I think these “old-fashioned” ways of life are even more needed if so many different age groups of people resonate with them.
As a young mom, I do get tired of nonstop interaction with my children sometimes…that’s when I pull out my book and hand them theirs! But I do try to be intentional with these everyday moments with them. I feel like having my phone out all the time would not be a good example.