10 Ways to Go Analog in 2026
If you’ve been searching for how to have an analog year or wondering what it really means to go analog in 2026, you’re not alone.
Over the past year, I’ve noticed a growing desire to step away from constant screens and back into a more intentional, tactile way of living. Not a full digital detox, and not disappearing off the grid, just a quieter, slower, more physical rhythm to everyday life.
For me, it started with craving physical media again, like real books instead of endless tabs and music you can hold instead of playlists that never end, or notes written by hand, not lost in an app I forget to open. That craving is what led me down the path of exploring what an analog lifestyle can actually look like in a modern world and why so many people are choosing to make 2026 their analog year.
It’s about balance, presence, and learning how to live more intentionally without everything passing through a screen first.
So this post is both a reflection and an invitation! If you’ve been feeling the same itch, here are 10 gentle, realistic ways to go analog in 2026.
1. Fall Back in Love With Physical Media
This is where it started for me. I’ve always loved buying actual books, and even though I have a Kindle, I only rarely use it. I love thumbing through pages. I also love listening to albums from start to finish. You could also add borrowing movies from the library like it’s 2003 to this list!
2. Write Things Down by Hand
To-do lists. Journal entries. Thoughts I don’t want optimized or searchable. Writing by hand slows my brain down in a way typing never does. It feels less performative and more honest, don’t you think?
3. Build an Analog Morning or Night Ritual
An alarm clock instead of your phone. A book by the bed. A few minutes of quiet before the day rushes in or after it finally lets go. These bookends matter more than we think.
4. Create Screen-Free Pockets in Your Day
Not a detox. Just a pause. A walk without AirPods. Waiting in line without scrolling. Sitting on the porch and watching the kids instead of documenting them. Small moments add up!
5. Wear a Watch That Only Tells Time
No notifications. No rings to close. Just time passing on your wrist. It’s oddly comforting and a subtle reminder that not everything needs a response.
6. Cook From Cookbooks, Not Apps
Lately I’ve been reaching for old cookbooks and handwritten recipes instead of searching online. You cook differently when you’re not bouncing between pop-ups and videos. You trust your instincts. You taste more.
7. Choose Hobbies That Keep Your Hands Busy
Puzzles. Painting. Knitting. Gardening. Film photography. Anything that asks your hands to do the thinking for a while. There’s a reason these hobbies are having a comeback. They give your nervous system a break.
8. Make the Library Part of Your Life Again
Libraries are quietly having a renaissance. Books, movies, music, magazines, events, all without an algorithm deciding what you should like next. It’s one of the most analog places left and one of the most generous.
9. Prioritize Face-to-Face Connection
Text less. Call more. Sit across from people. Let conversations wander without an endpoint. Analog connection doesn’t multitask and that’s why it feels so good.
10. Let Your Home Reflect This Shift
A wall calendar you write on. A stack of magazines. A basket of books by the couch. A record player in the corner. Your space can gently nudge you offline without a single rule.
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Creating an analog year doesn’t require drastic rules or abandoning modern life. It’s more about choosing moments of physical connection, slowing down where you can, and building habits that help you feel more grounded and present. Whether you start with reading more physical books, writing things down by hand, or carving out screen-free time each day, going analog is really less about perfection and more about intention.
If you’ve been searching for ways to live more intentionally, reduce screen time, or start an analog lifestyle in 2026, consider this your reminder that small changes matter. An analog year isn’t something you complete, but rather it’s something you practice, one choice at a time.
And sometimes, the most meaningful upgrade you can make isn’t a new app or device. It’s returning to what’s always been right in front of you.