As I caught up on blog reading over the past week, the word analog popped up a couple of times prompting me to consider the pitfalls of spending too much time in the online world. Read on for 10 ways to choose analog over digital in our everyday lives.
The first post that brought this to my attention was from my friend Vicki who told the story of a former student who carries an “analog bag”. The term was new to me, but it’s a bag of things to support “self care on the fly” as a readily available alternative to mindless scrolling.
A little while later, I read a Substack post from Anne Marie Bonneau—better known as the Zero Waste Chef. The post discusses the environmental impact of AI and data centres. Bonneau concludes that “analog looks better and better” and urges us to try to ditch screens when possible.
These pieces were a reminder of the cost and perils of our digital lives and highlighted the need to find non-digital ways to fill our days.
Analog defined
Analog is one of those words that has morphed in modern usage.
My good old-fashioned “analog” Collins Canadian Dictionary defines analogue (Canadian spelling) as “displaying information by means of a dial.” That aligns with the most common usage I know—an analog clock. People of my vintage may remember those from back in the days when clocks had hands rather than a digital display.
Times have changed and language evolves. A quick look at dictionary.com revealed the following definition: “relating to or denoting an activity, process, etc., that is not online or computerized but that can also exist or happen with the help of such technology”.
It’s interesting how the language we use has kept pace with our use of technology.
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The blessing and curse of technology
Like most people, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with technology.
On the positive side, I love how technology keeps us connected. I couldn’t stand the thought of my daughters living so far away if we didn’t have video calls and our family group chat to stay in touch on a daily basis.
On the other hand, I see how intrusive technology can be if left unchecked. It can easily take over our lives and warp our view of the world. No matter how hard we try to keep our online activities positive, algorithms put things on our feeds that just make us angry and frustrated.
Interestingly, August is International Peace Month. What better way to restore peace in our daily lives than choosing analog over digital. But how?
10 ways to embrace analog
I’m not suggesting we ditch our devices and turn into Luddites. But if, like me, you find yourself reaching for your devices instinctively or out of boredom, here are 10 analog alternatives you can easily make today.
- Read real books. I find I concentrate better with a real book, so I borrow books from the library and only read e-books when I travel.
- Send handwritten notes and cards. Most people love getting mail and there’s nothing like the sight of a handwritten greeting in your mailbox.
- Shop local at real stores where you can touch, feel, and try on items before you buy.
- Play cards and board games instead of online games.
- Grab a pen and paper and embrace the art of hand writing meeting notes, blog posts, poetry or whatever else you need to write. Science shows the act of handwriting engages our brains differently and improves memory and learning.
- Choose jigsaw puzzles and puzzle books as alternatives to online versions.
- Engage in hobbies that don’t require a device: crafts, gardening, hiking, music, and cooking are just a few simple examples.
- Write your daily to do list on a paper calendar or day planner. You’ll feel immense satisfaction every time you check an item off your list.
- Call someone on the phone instead of messaging.
- Walk outdoors with no devices. This summer, I’ve been listening to the Anne of Green Gables series on audiobook during my morning walks. As I reach the end of the series, I think I’ll go back to simply enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.
I’ve already adopted many of these habits and plan to make a conscious effort to reduce my screen time further.
What are your thoughts on choosing analog over digital? Are there other activities you’d add to this list? Drop me a comment below and let me know.
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I’m not one of those people who would be totally lost without tech, but I agree it’s all about finding the perfect balance.
I never look at my mobile phone after 6 pm until the following morning, and never as soon as I wake. Likewise, my computer is switched off at 5:30 pm.
And my daily walks always involve going tech-free so I can enjoy Mother Nature’s offerings. It’s amazing just how many near misses I have witnessed with people and vehicles because they were looking down at their phone.
I went for a walk without my phone the other day and I was surprised that I reached for it a couple of times when something would pop into my head that I needed to do or look into. I don’t consider myself addicted to it but it is surprising how it’s become instinctive. I do wonder if those who invented the smartphone realized how addictive it would become in a relatively short time.
Yep, it can become addictive, but I find that like anything else, it’s all about the willpower, Michelle. I now find myself looking forward to my outside time without my mobile phone.
Excellent advice! Just bought board games to lure my grandkids from devices!
Board games are so much fun. I’m glad my kids always enjoyed them.
Excellent, Michelle. I’m a physical book guy, even when I’m traveling, and I love the pen-and-paper combo. On our refrigerator, we keep an index card where the family writes down what we need to get next time we go grocery shopping. I know a lot of people like to have their list on their smartphones, but I find that writing things down on that index card and grabbing it on the way out to the grocery store is a better option.
Ah yes! A paper shopping list. I do that too Edward.
I do find a pen and paper help me to gather my thoughts when writing better than just sitting down at my keyboard. It definitely engages the brain differently.
Absolutely! There is a big difference between typing and handwriting. Some people don’t even look at the keyboard because they have memorized the key locations. With handwriting, you are fully engaged.
That’s me, Edward. I learned to type in high school on typewriters with no letters on the keys. 😂
Same here. My first job in the Army was in telecommunications, and after two weeks of typing training, we had to pass a test where the keys were covered. In high school, I was just a one-finger typist. 🤣
😂 It surprises me how proficient my daughters are with a keyboard having never taking a typing class. They just laugh when I tell them I took typing for four years in high school.
Kids! You got to love them! 😀
I love this post, Michelle. I greatly prefer analog over tech and engage in almost everything you’ve listed. The only exception is e-books because we have so little space in this season of life, though I still borrowing from the library.
Thanks, Erin. Almost all of my reading material comes from the library but I do buy e-books for travelling. I decluttered most of my physical books years ago, but I have one small bookshelf with special books. It’s pretty much full so if I add a new book, something must go. It works well.
I still do all ten of the things on your suggestion list while also using some of the tech versions. I’m not anti-technology, but I certainly recognize the pitfalls.
I usually opt for a mix of tech and non-tech too, Pete. I do online games and puzzles in the NYT app, and I read e-books when I travel. This morning, I went for a walk without my phone and I actually found myself reaching for it a couple of times only to realize it was at home. 😂
I’ve watched myself go more to digital. It really sneaks up on you doesn’t it Michelle? It also takes real purpose to recognize and stop away at times. I dislike admitting it but I feel like digital is winning.
Thanks, Deb. It is getting harder and harder but I think more people are recognizing the downside of too much tech. My 26-year-old daughter has uninstalled all the social apps from her phone and is considering buying a new simpler phone that supports calling, communication and messaging but not all the apps. Sounds a lot like the Blackberry that started it all.
Maybe it wil come full circle if younger people are starting to see the downside of too much screen time. Until then, I think we all need to be conscious of analog alternatives and embrace them where we can.
2 of my kids don’t do any socials, the other is addicted 😉
Great post, Michelle. We all benefit from modern technology but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing too. I agree that we can, including myself, do more to digitally detox and embrace analog. For all our wellbeing.
Thanks, Ab. Yes, finding that balance between good and excessive use of technology and something we all need to be aware of. It’s good to just unplug, even if it’s only for a few hours a day.
Michelle! I LOVE your oh-so actionable analog activity suggestions. Great nudges to make simple swaps, make the default to technology less “autopilot”. Xo! ❤️
Thanks Vicki. I love technology, but it takes constant awareness to prevent it from taking over our lives. There are analog alternatives to many activities when we stop and think about it. It’s all about balance.
Enjoy your day my friend! ❤️🤗❤️
You, too dear one. Hugs, hugs! ❤️😉❤️