Going Analog

I keep seeing people online (ironically) talking about “going analog”.

I think they mean they want to spend less time scrolling on their phone.

We dream of the days when cell phones didn’t exist, as if we ourselves have no control over how much time we spend with that electronic block in our hands. Yes, some people are tethered by the needs of their jobs. But most of us are doing nothing really productive in all of our scrolling, yet we can’t seem to stop.

I’m guilty of this. I’ve been trying very hard recently to spend my time doing other things. I physically put my phone at a distance from myself. I’ve turned off notifications and set timer limits on social media apps. It works about half the time.

What’s worked even better is doing actual analog activities. I’m working on a cross stitch for a gift. I’m going through old letters and photos with the goal of creating a family history. I’m writing more blogs and making myself do yoga at home every evening.

I’m also thinking about my identity as it relates to my habits. Do I want to identify as a doom-scroller? Absolutely not! I’d rather identify as a yogi, a historian, an artist, a writer.

My phone is still useful for these pursuits. I listen to podcasts or audiobooks while I cross-stitch and when I go for walks. I use an app to record thoughts for blogs. I research content and use the phone’s timer. I text friends and family.

Nobody said that analog meant we had to pretend we don’t have tools that make things easier. But we have to remember that we’re human beings having an experience in the actual world, not beings made of only thumbs and eyes, living in a virtual world.

There’s no judgement here, only observation. I’m working on myself the same as everybody else. Some days I’m more successful than others. I’m interested to hear what thoughts this brings up for you. Feel free to send me a note.