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 phenomenon is growing, even if hard to measure precisely. Hobbies traditionally seen as old-fashioned, such as knitting, painting, and crafting, are seeing a resurgence. Arts and crafts retailer Michael’s has reported a 136% increase in searches for “analog hobbies” over the past six months. Sales of guided craft kits rose 86% in 2025, with projections showing another 30% to 40% increase this year. Yarn kits, long associated with traditional hobbies, jumped 1,200% in popularity. Stacey Shively, Michael’s chief merchandising officer, explained that the company plans to expand in-store sections dedicated to these materials as demand continues to grow.
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.
Experiencing analog first-hand
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 people are drawn to analog ways of living
Many people turn to analog practices as a response to AI-generated content, often called “AI slop,” which Avriel Epps, an AI researcher at the University of California Riverside, describes as repetitive, fatiguing, and lacking originality. The analog movement is not anti-technology; participants selectively integrate offline activities into their lives.
Some choose small but meaningful changes: replacing streaming services with a vintage iPod, taking film photographs instead of endless digital snaps, or using a physical alarm clock instead of a smartphone. These choices create tangible results and reduce digital dependency. Epps emphasizes that going analog is less about rejecting information and more about limiting how much the digital world knows about an individual, such as stepping away from Google’s ecosystem or observing screen-free Sundays.
The appeal extends beyond personal satisfaction. For many, hands-on hobbies provide focus, creativity, and relaxation in ways that AI-driven entertainment cannot. During Maruf’s 48-hour experiment, she found that crafting, reading, and journaling freed up time that would otherwise be lost to scrolling. Activities like knitting, painting, or tackling physical projects allow participants to see immediate, tangible results from their efforts, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment.
Building community and forging connections through analog pastimes
Analog activities frequently draw people together, opening up screen-free social moments. Maruf witnessed this directly at a knitting circle in a Brooklyn library, where attendees of various ages exchanged advice and showcased their projects while staying completely unplugged. Tanya Nguyen, a frequent participant, noted that knitting provides a tactile way to unwind while keeping phones out of the picture.
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 also underscores contrasts between generations, as younger adults raised around technology often struggle to completely step away from their screens. Yet as the analog lifestyle becomes more appealing, even limited practices such as starting the day without devices, pursuing offline pastimes, or reducing social media use can offer substantial relief from digital overload 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.
A growing cultural shift
The rising enthusiasm for analog hobbies reflects far more than a passing fad, as companies like Michael’s have noted sharp increases in both sales and searches for analog-centered products, indicating that many Americans are turning to offline pastimes as a way to practice self-care and push back against constant digital saturation.
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.
