FREE STANDARD SHIPPING, ALWAYS
Five Ways We’re Replacing Doom Scrolling With Analog Nostalgia
Published 2/1/26
Advice
If there’s one thing we can all relate to, it’s accidentally falling down the rabbit hole (no pun intended) when we open our phone to text back our friend and suddenly the algorithm is serving AI bunnies jumping on a trampoline and gone is all concept of space and time. It happens to the best of us. But as a brand dedicated to getting photos off your phones and into your hands, we’re strongly aligning with the new analog movement that’s been going (ironically) viral.
If you haven’t seen the trend, people are packing themselves analog bags like they’re toddlers needing to be entertained during church. They fill these bags with journals, knitting projects, books, crossword puzzles, and even old fashioned tech like an early-generation iPod or Walkman. The idea is to promote less time doom scrolling and more time engaging your brain in activities that are proven to boost mood as well as soothe and slow your brain. May we also suggest throwing in your current Chatbooks Monthbook so you can still show off your photos!
So with this trend growing in popularity, we asked our team those things they are doing to slow down, log off, and reengage their brains that didn’t involve using their phones. What we learned was that we not only felt more calm, but we even discovered a connection to those people most important to us as well as a magical sense of childlike nostalgia. Here’s what we’re doing to go a little more analog:
1. Dust off some old musical instruments skills
“I’ve been playing more piano lately. It makes me feel so connected to my 13 year old self. Plus, trying to read music again is like teaching myself a language I forgot!” - Paige, Chatbooks Junior Designer.
If you’re musically inclined, the perfect activity to go analog is to dust off an old instrument and start playing again. According to research done by Harvard, music increases cognitive function, quality of life, and even overall happiness.
And if you haven’t learned before, it’s not too late! In fact, research suggests that adults who learn an instrument later in life show reduced stress, decreased depression, and increased attention spans.
Don’t have a musical instrument in your home? Many public libraries, community centers, churches, or schools have free access to musical instruments such as pianos. And one instrument that you can bring anywhere? Your singing voice!
2. Get in touch with your inner-child
“I went to Color Me Mine a few weeks ago with my friends and I felt like a kid in the early 2000’s again! No phones, no stress, no time limit. Just laughing and painting with my friends.” - Sarah, Chatbooks Social Brand Manager.
If you search “90’s kid aesthetic” up on Pinterest, you’ll see endless pictures of hopscotch, old VCR televisions, crayons, fort-building, bubbles, and board games to name a few. While we now rely on streaming services, you can always put on an old favorite Disney movie to heal your inner child.
Plan a bike ride with friends. Go to a paint night. Show your kids how you used to have to burn CD’s in order to create anything resembling a playlist. Simply reminiscing on that nostalgia and feeling like a kid again rewards your brain and gives you feelings of pleasure and motivation.
3. Rediscover some old healthy habits
“I’ve been making sourdough bread for a while. Took a hiatus, but have a goal to make one loaf per month this year. I currently have a loaf resting in the fridge to bake tomorrow.” - Kelsey, Chatbooks Lifecycle Marketing Manager.
It’s no surprise that baking has been on the rise (okay, pun intended) for the past few years. With the increase in cost of living, the expense of eating out, and the ease of access to learn via social media, trends like making your own sourdough have skyrocketed.
And it’s not just a fun new skill to learn. Studies show that baking boosts your mood, enhances creativity, and is a great stress relief. Plus, this analog hobby can bring you closer to your friends and family. Who wouldn’t love a fresh loaf of bread or a batch of cookies dropped off on their doorstep?
4. Crafts, crafts, and more crafts
“We own a cafe and put on events where we often do craft nights. Perler beads were one of the most popular craft nights we've done. I have never seen so many grown women excited to be ironing beads.” - Brittany, Chatbooks Marketing Assistant.
One of the more popular ways people are spending their time is by returning to their true inner-grandma and pulling out the needlework crafts.
And perhaps you’re like us and you’ve been sucked into the knitting and crocheting black holes leaving you with many half-finished projects piling up in your craft closet. But there are so many other fun ways to get into these types of hobbies if you’re not so into the yarn. Beaded jewelry, coloring books, junk journals, even just doodling can be considered a craft night!
5. Use your analog time as a way to reconnect with your family
“When I moved, I decided to get back into fishing. It felt nostalgic, something I grew up doing with my dad and brother. Living so far from my parents, I loved calling my dad to talk about the spots I was trying out. When I flew home for the holidays, my dad and I spent time fishing on the docks together, and it’s one of my favorite memories with him. Now, every summer I renew my fishing license to get some practice in before heading home to see my parents.” - Lexi, Chatbooks Paid Marketing Manager.
We’re not tearing up, we just got something in our eye! Truly, the reason this analog trend has hit in such a soft spot is because it takes us back to a simpler version of ourselves where we weren’t so bogged down with notifications, to-do’s, and an excess of screen time.
We’ll admit we’re often guilty of getting together with our loved ones and sitting on our phones together–and hey, sometimes that’s okay! But may we suggest finding ways to connect with those important people in our lives by getting back to things that truly matter to us: Road trips where you sing along to the oldies. Asking our dads to teach us their favorite skills. Perhaps even making a photo book together and laughing about those favorite memories.
We’re hopeful this analog trend will stick around for a while. It’s something we truly feel is part of the Chatbooks mission.
