How to adopt the trend of an analog 2026?

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In this month of January, where it is good to rethink our habits to start off on the right foot, there is one word on everyone’s lips – or should we say, on all the Instagram posts: analog. Returning to the essentials and swapping our screens for softer, more mindful activities is the quest of the moment. However, between a real need to disconnect and a trendy aesthetic on social media, what really lies behind the trend of an analog year 2026, and how can we truly adopt it?

Why is the concept of an analog year 2026 so appealing?

Drowned in a daily life rhythm dictated by notifications, with our eyes glued to screens and our mental health suffering from endless scrolling, the need to disconnect is more palpable than ever.

Indeed, this race against time towards digitalization and overwhelming visual and informational stimulation has made us more exhausted than inspired… So much so that today, an opposing trend is emerging: the one of stepping back and reconnecting to real life through an analog lifestyle.

How to create an “analog” environment?

In order to successfully disconnect, it is interesting to rethink your environment, particularly by limiting screen time and adjusting our daily tools.

Recently, we talked about the success of the customizable reusable notebook, highlighting a desire to return to paper. This is once again confirmed by the popularity of mini planners like Filofax at the beginning of the year.

These tools, which overshadow our Google calendars and other Notion boards, restore the importance of our words and somewhat force our brains to become active participants in our daily lives.

What analog hobbies are making a comeback in our hearts?

Whether they are activities we are already familiar with or new practices to try, analog hobbies abound! These invite us to reconnect with our thoughts, imagination, and creativity, all while encouraging us to slow down and live in the present moment.

These hobbies can invite calm moments, such as reading, journaling, Sudoku puzzles, watching movies and series… They can also inspire us and get us outdoors, like gardening, cooking, and baking, visiting museums and exhibitions… Or they can let us explore our artistic side through manual activities.

Our ideas for manual activities to try

Friendship bracelets, punch needle, ceramic painting, homemade Christmas decorations… In recent years, manual activities have continued to gain popularity among both novice and more experienced profiles.

Indeed, these activities, which align perfectly with the desire to disconnect, allow us to reconnect with simple and authentic pleasures while having a meditative or therapeutic effect. And that’s exactly what our minds need right now!

On my end, new passions have even emerged through my creative discoveries. Notably: pottery with air-dry clay, embossing on metal sheets, cyanotype (creating patterns/shadow play on photosensitive paper), as well as crochet, for which I previously shared the creation of a crochet bucket hat, and later a crochet balaclava.

Moreover, for this analog year 2026, I would like to try linocut, and why not, adopt a bonsai!

These activities are the very heart of the analog lifestyle and can be taken everywhere – as demonstrated by the sub-trend of the “analog bag” which has amassed millions of views on social media.

Reconnect to real life

The idea of an analog lifestyle also brings into perspective our way of connecting with the people around us.

Indeed, recently, many clubs have emerged, with the common goal of bringing people together in real life, away from screens, during friendly gatherings (drinks, dinners, movie screenings, manual activities…).

Whether they are book clubs, other formats dedicated to films, cooking, board games, or simply social clubs allowing for new acquaintances and friendships… All have met with great success, highlighting a genuine need to reconnect with one another in a more authentic and down-to-earth manner.

For it’s a fact, in an age where everyone is ultra-connected online, many suffer from loneliness and these gatherings bring warmth back into hearts.

Is the analog trend really disconnected?

However, as always, a nuance should be noted when it comes to trends.

Indeed, while the idea of adopting an analog year 2026 promotes a return to essentials, far from screens, it turns out that ultimately for some, this lifestyle is rather an argument to generate reach on social media by adhering to the trend of the moment… And in this case, we can question the true nature and authenticity of this mindset.

Moreover, Pinterest predictions presenting the Poetcore as one of the major trends of this new year lead us to sense that this analog/literature aspect will quickly be used for more aesthetic purposes than as a concrete way of life.

But of course, for those sincerely adopting an analog year 2026, we already know that the benefits will soon be felt!

Photos: 2ère Pinterest, Unsplash