Why the analogue trend bothers me, and how I interpret it for myself

Recently I joined Substack, and I've found it a great place to discover long-form, intelligent content. Unfortunately, like most social media platforms it features an algorithmically curated feed, and once you show a slight interest in a topic you can quickly find yourself flooded with similar articles.

One day last week I was deluged by posts about the analogue trend. In case your social media feeds steer you in a different direction, the analogue trend is a way of living (embraced mainly by younger types than me) that prioritises physical media and time spent away from screens.

There is an urge to create aesthetic 'analogue bags' filled with prompts that encourage screen free hobbies - like books, knitting, pretty pens strapped to leather journals, watercolour tins and brushes. People are buying vintage MP3 players, digital cameras and alarm clocks. And of course there is a need to document all of this for social media, including the video of your 'analogue day' that has been filmed on the phone and edited on a laptop.

I can definitely see the attraction of an analogue way of living. But I don't like the consumer aspect with the need to buy more and more things in order to embrace the trend fully. And maybe this sounds hypocritical coming from a blogger, but I hate the need that people have to share everything online.

So here are some ways that I would like to interpret the analogue trend:

Listening to a complete album from start to finish, whether that's on vinyl or Spotify.

Limiting the the number of photos that I take, and printing them out to display on the walls or in scrapbooks.

Working on a jigsaw puzzle for long periods at a time.

Setting aside an amount of time to read, with the phone in another room.

Watching a long film or television programme without a second screen to hand.

Making an actual phone call, and giving all my attention to the person on the other end.

Meeting friends in person for a coffee, meal, drinks or just to hang out, and keeping phones out of sight. 

Having phone free spaces in the home, for example the study or garden.

Working on creative hobbies that use my hands, like journalling or painting.

And finally - trying to resist the urge to share every little thing on social media, or worse still, carry out activities for the sole purpose of sharing on social media!

Have you encountered the analogue trend?