I’m so old I remember spending many happy hours browsing the card catalog at the library and walking among the tall shelves of books at the Tattered Cover and Barnes & Noble. I was always searching for new information and knowledge, but today, analog research and entertainment are a thing of the past; it’s a digital world now.
Just get on the Mac for a visit to Amazon, where you can download books directly to your device. If you want to multitask while running, walking, or driving, you can stream an Audible file instead. There’s no doubt that the digital age is more convenient, but lately I’ve been pining for some of the flavor of the old days.
Searching through used bookstores and music shops for interesting books and LPs brought me great joy. I know I can’t replicate that feeling of discovery, so maybe I’m just longing for simpler times. Interestingly, I’ve always been an early adopter of technology, but with the rise of AI, I’m beginning to question my obsession with it.
“Books are the training weights of the mind.” – Epictetus
So, I’m going to try living an analog lifestyle in the digital age. I’ll leave the Smartphone in the drawer since I rarely use the calling feature anyway. I mainly use it for the camera, voice-to-text notes, and wasting my time on Substack, Feedly, YouTube, and Facebook.
It might be my rebellious nature, but I like to believe there’s value in embracing an analog lifestyle in our ultra-digital world. A reaction against constant connectivity, AI overload, screen fatigue, and digital exhaustion. It’s not that I want to reject technology completely; I simply want to regain some of that feeling from the days before digital took over.
I want to live more intentionally, reclaiming space for slower, more tactile, human-focused experiences that oppose the always-on environment of the digital age. Constant notifications, doomscrolling, and multitasking overload the nervous system, raising cortisol levels and leading to burnout, anxiety, and feelings of isolation.
I’ve started reading real physical books again, even writing notes in the margins, and journaling by hand. The phone stays in the drawer during my morning walk, and so far, I feel like I am thinking more clearly and sleeping better. Our morning and evening conversations are more pleasant with fewer distractions.
“Be a curator of your life. Slowly cut things out until you’re left only with what you love, with what’s necessary, with what makes you happy.” ~ Leo Babauta
I even installed a new battery in an old quartz watch with hands for those times when I want to wear one. I turned off all music streaming services and am now listening to my personal music collection. A half century ago, I taped my albums to cassette to keep the vinyl pristine, and now I’m recording many of them again as FLAC files.
In a world designed to capture every second of attention, going analog takes back control. I choose my pace, enjoy experiences without metrics, and avoid the doomscrolling addiction. It’s empowering, especially amid current economic pressures. It’s really about balance: intentionally using digital tools while also enjoying traditional analog activities and hobbies. Trends show that many people are adopting an analog lifestyle as a practical way to avoid overload, helping them feel more alive, creative, and grounded.
“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.”—Jana Kingsford
Ultimately, it depends on what recharges you. If the digital noise leaves you feeling frazzled or disconnected from your own thoughts, trying more analog activities can feel like reconnecting with yourself. Small changes, such as taking a walk instead of scrolling, handwriting notes, or discovering a new way to express your inner artist, often lead to meaningful improvements in clarity and happiness.