As AI-powered tools take on more of our everyday responsibilities, a growing number of people are looking for opportunities to disconnect and reconnect with tangible experiences. This shift, widely known as the “analog lifestyle,” emphasizes easing the pace, embracing practical activities, and recapturing time away from screens and generative AI.
The trend keeps accelerating, though its exact scale remains difficult to pin down. Pastimes once viewed as outdated, including knitting, painting, and various crafts, are experiencing renewed momentum. Arts and crafts retailer Michael’s has noted a 136% jump in searches for “analog hobbies” over the last half-year. Purchases of guided craft kits climbed 86% in 2025, with forecasts pointing to an additional 30% to 40% rise this year. Yarn kits, long linked to traditional crafting, surged 1,200% in popularity. Stacey Shively, Michael’s chief merchandising officer, stated that the company intends to broaden in-store spaces devoted to these materials as interest keeps rising.
Much of the appeal lies in mental health benefits. People are increasingly using crafting and other analog hobbies as a break from constant online scrolling, particularly after the isolation and digital fatigue many experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Encountering analog in person
CNN Business reporter Ramishah Maruf decided to test the analog lifestyle personally. For 48 hours, she eliminated nearly all modern devices: three iPhones, a MacBook, two large desktop monitors, a Kindle, and an Alexa. The challenge wasn’t just about avoiding technology—it was about breaking the habit of mindless scrolling and reclaiming control over her time and attention.
For many, stepping away from screens is a cultural and personal choice rather than a strict digital detox. Shaughnessy Barker, a 25-year-old living in British Columbia, has embraced an analog approach fully. She uses a landline at home and a “dumb phone” app when away, emphasizing personal interaction through calls or letters rather than social media. Barker describes herself as “an AI hater to my core,” having grown up listening to vinyl records and collecting VHS tapes, DVDs, and cassettes. She hosts tech-free craft nights and wine evenings, writes handwritten notes, and sets strict boundaries on her computer usage.
Even committed analog devotees such as Barker still encounter obstacles, as much of her daily work—operating a vintage shop and managing a “snail mail club”—depends on the internet, underscoring the strain between pursuing an offline life and handling real-world duties in a connected era. Barker accepts the contradiction: relying on TikTok to showcase a tech-free lifestyle reveals the careful equilibrium needed to remain analog within a digital age.
Why analog lifestyles are appealing
Many individuals increasingly embrace analog approaches in reaction to AI-generated content, often labeled as “AI slop,” a term used by Avriel Epps, an AI researcher at the University of California Riverside, who portrays it as monotonous, draining, and devoid of originality, while the analog movement itself does not reject technology but instead encourages participants to weave selected offline experiences into their daily routines.
Some opt for modest yet meaningful shifts, like swapping streaming platforms for a vintage iPod, shooting on film instead of taking endless digital photos, or relying on a physical alarm clock rather than a smartphone. These decisions deliver tangible benefits and help curb dependence on digital habits. Epps notes that embracing analog tools is less about rejecting information and more about controlling how much the digital realm learns about a person, whether by stepping back from Google’s ecosystem or committing to screen‑free Sundays.
The appeal reaches further than personal gratification, as many find that hands-on hobbies deliver focus, creativity, and relaxation in ways AI-driven entertainment cannot replicate. Throughout Maruf’s 48-hour experiment, she discovered that activities such as crafting, reading, and journaling opened up time that would have otherwise slipped away to scrolling. Engaging in pursuits like knitting, painting, or taking on physical projects enables participants to witness immediate, concrete outcomes from their efforts, strengthening their sense of achievement.
Building community and forging connections through analog pastimes
Analog practices often bring people together, creating social opportunities without screens. Maruf observed this firsthand at a knitting circle in a Brooklyn library, where participants of all ages shared tips and projects while remaining entirely screen-free. Tanya Nguyen, a regular attendee, explained that knitting offers a hands-on way to decompress while avoiding phones.
Offline activities foster a calmer, more present mindset, something many participants admit is difficult to attain when most interactions happen through digital devices. By engaging with physical tasks—whether stitching a scarf, keeping a journal, or turning the pages of a printed book—analog fans discover both fulfillment and a sense of belonging. For Maruf, this analog trial made it possible for her to wrap up goals such as completing “Wuthering Heights,” mailing a handwritten postcard, and starting a knitting project, giving her a concrete feeling of achievement that extended beyond work or online demands.
Difficulties faced when embracing an analog lifestyle in an ever-connected world
Although the idea is attractive, fully committing to an analog way of living comes with obstacles. Numerous duties still depend on digital tools, whether for professional tasks or personal interactions. Even committed followers must balance the desire to live offline with the need to engage in the online systems that daily life requires.
Additionally, the trend highlights generational differences. Younger adults, particularly those who grew up with technology, may find it difficult to fully detach from screens. However, as the analog lifestyle gains popularity, even partial adoption—screen-free mornings, offline hobbies, and limits on social media—can provide meaningful relief from digital fatigue and AI saturation.
The movement also reflects a cultural shift in attitudes toward technology. Increasingly, people are questioning the role of AI in daily life, seeking experiences that prioritize creativity, authenticity, and personal engagement over speed and convenience. By slowing down, focusing on tangible projects, and reducing reliance on AI-generated content, participants reclaim autonomy over their time, attention, and creativity.
An expanding cultural transformation
The surge in interest for analog hobbies signals more than a niche trend. Companies like Michael’s report dramatic growth in sales and searches for analog-focused products, suggesting that many Americans are exploring offline hobbies as a form of self-care and cultural resistance to constant digitization.
Choosing complete digital withdrawal is rarely feasible, yet an analog approach highlights how intentional periods offline can be invaluable. By weaving device-free moments into everyday life, people can sharpen their concentration, ease mental strain, and foster meaningful outcomes beyond what AI is able to duplicate.
Ultimately, the analog lifestyle represents both a personal and societal response to an increasingly AI-driven world. It emphasizes slowing down, appreciating tangible accomplishments, and reconnecting with both the physical environment and the people around us. Whether through crafts, reading, or simply reducing screen time, the movement encourages individuals to reclaim aspects of life that technology often overshadows, offering a path toward balance in the digital era.
As more people explore these offline practices, it’s clear that analog living is not just a temporary fad but a broader cultural shift toward intentional, hands-on experiences in a world dominated by AI and digital convenience.
