While Gen Z is often referred to as “digital natives,” some of us born in the early 2000s still remember a time when the internet wasn’t quite as ever-present as it is today. My family didn’t get a home computer until I was nine. That’s still relatively early—but not nearly as early as my Gen Alpha brother, who got his first iPad at six. The year we got that first computer also happened to be the year I created my first social media account: Facebook. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Like most folks of my generation, I have social media woven into nearly every part of my routine. Rarely do I step into a restaurant without checking Instagram reviews first, and I don’t make big purchases without scrolling through TikTok recommendations. When I want to see what my friends are up to, I don’t call them; I tap through their stories or send a quick DM.
But if I’m honest, the signs of social media overload have been hard for me to ignore. Between the anxiety, procrastination and the countless studies I’ve read warning about how poor mental health is linked to excessive screen time, I knew something had to give. So, of course, in true Gen Z fashion, I logged onto TikTok to find a solution.
Luckily, I found a thriving community of more than 200,000 videos under #analog—often paired with #offlinehobbies and #nostalgia, sharing creative ideas for spending less time online. But as I kept scrolling, I noticed countless videos of people showcasing their new weekly overpriced tote bags stuffed with “retro-style” gadgets and pricey craft kits.
It quickly became clear that somewhere along the way, my generation got it wrong. The point of the analog movement is to actually log off, replace screen time with offline hobbies, not to turn it into another excuse for consumerism or another social media trend to hop on. Somewhere, somehow, we’ve lost the plot.
What Is the Analog Trend?
Analog refers to activities and objects that exist outside the digital world—like analog clocks, vinyl records, cassette tapes and CDs. As social media fatigue grows among Gen Z, many are turning to analog hobbies as a way to disconnect from screens and spend more time offline. Think knitting, reading physical books, doing puzzles, journaling and drawing.
While the term “analog” began trending in late 2025, the concept of posting about an offline hobby has been popular for years. Online communities like BookTok have already helped revive interest in reading physical books. In 2026, however, offline hobbies have somewhat ironically become a social media trend.
In 2025, content creator Siecec Campbell introduced the concept of an “analog bag,” a bag where she stores objects like colored pencils, magazines, crossword books, craft materials and more. Since then, videos where creators show what’s inside their analog bags have begun trending as well.
What Gen Z Is Getting Wrong About Going Analog
The conversation around analog hobbies is starting to shift. Instead of focusing on the simple joy and mental health benefits of offline activities, the emphasis is increasingly on having the right materials and posting about them online. Retailers have also caught on to the trend, marketing so-called “analog bags.” My feed is now filled with people showing off trendy tote bags and pricey retro-style gadgets, when they could just as easily repurpose a bag they already own and fill it with books, paper and pens that have been sitting on their shelf.
But if I’m honest, I understand the temptation to overconsume. I’ve caught myself considering purchases I never would have wanted before, like a retro-style Bluetooth landline phone—simply because a TikTok creator made it seem like the coolest, most unnecessary thing to own.
The analog trend began as a way to spend more time present in the real world and step away from constant digital stimulation. It was also meant to push back against the cycle of buying things we don’t need. But if we start using a trend meant to limit our screen time and reduce unnecessary online shopping as an excuse to spend more time online, we’re missing the point of living a more analog life.
Tips for doing analog the right way
1. Evaluate your motivations for adding more analog hobbies to your routine. If the goal is to spend less time on social media, start with items you already own and crafts you already have supplies for before buying anything new.
2. Consider buying analog tech secondhand. For items like CD or record players, check resale sites such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace, or look for them at local thrift stores.
3. Share hobbies offline when possible. Joining an in-person community, like a book club or knitting group, can help you connect with others without relying on social media.
4. Keep your analog bag simple. A smaller, lighter bag is easier to carry than a large tote, especially if you want to bring your hobby outside the house.
5. Skip unnecessary purchases. You don’t need the exact bags or supplies featured in viral videos for your hobbies to count. Avoid buying items you don’t truly want just to participate in the trend.
The bottom line: Offline hobbies matter. But if we treat them as another social trend to pounce on, we risk staying trapped in the same cycle that pushed us toward analog in the first place. Go offline, go analog, and do it your way, just like we did in the early 2000s, before every moment needed a screen.
Rosamelia is a writer at Good Housekeeping, covering everything related to Gen Z, lifestyle, and online trends. She’s a graduate of NYU's Magazine and Digital Storytelling program. In her free time, you can find her reading and reviewing books on her bookstagram: amelias_biblioteca.
