We are barely into the new year and a consistent theme that I see being shared everywhere online, is that 2026 is the year to be analog. At first, I didn’t think much of it but then I was seeing it on Substack, blog posts, social media, etc. What struck me as odd was that all of these declarations were being made through or using technology (as this article is also being shared in a digital format). How ironic.
I do not have scientific data to back this up, but being an artist and knowing so many artists, I am of the opinion, that is the true artist reflection anyways. We are analog beings to start with, all of us, BUT the artist is more likely to observe and honor that part of how they have been made. At the least, probably more aware when they feel off physically, mentally or creatively.
My non-scientific analysis of the situation is based upon my own experience living as an analog person in a non-analog world. My mind and body don’t feel good in a world that dishonors our natural rhythms. Fluorescent lights, being inside all of the time, eyes in front of a computer/phone/television most of the day, disconnected from nature, time to be quiet, live in silence, let your mind wander, or creating just for creating’s sake.
My children will be the last generation that spent part of their childhood without cell phones and portable computer devices. My generation grew up fully without them. So, my memories of what that period felt like is what pulls me back to what I know feels good, nurturing, restful, quiet, creative, connective and life giving.
Technology has allowed us to have an online business, listen to my vinyl collection on a record player through clear speakers, watch movies from the AFI top 100 list with a projector and screen. I FaceTime our children in Nashville and my heart feels at rest just seeing their faces. I can learn about anything at any time. Technology is not the problem. The problem is when we forget to put it away.
When I kept hearing that people wanted this year to be analog, I took it as a collective human cry, “I need rest. I want to breathe again. I want to think my own thoughts.” Everything is coming at us morning to night IF we allow it. We cannot cry that we deeply desire a more analog life and then spend hours drowning in the distraction.
The more tired and overwhelmed we become can also mean that when we are at our most exhausted, we turn to the one thing that is right in front of us and easy. We turn to the very thing that is overwhelming us, keeping us from quiet, rest, connection and creativity.
So, what does an analog life really look like in the midst of a world full of technology? Making analog choices in a world constantly fighting for your attention takes intention. The louder the world gets (and it will get louder) the more you will have to fight for quiet, rest, connection, and creativity.
Replacing what is easy with what is real, truly desired and needed will take effort. I can promise you that once you dip your toe into a more analog world, the more your body and mind will crave it. It is like when you start drinking more water. As you drink the water your body truly needs, you notice when you aren’t getting enough. Sometimes we are so depleted in an area that, until we are filled back up, we don’t even realize the impact it was having on our life, mind and body.
I had a traumatic brain injury my first year in college. It is not something I talk about often but it impacts me almost every day. I spent years in and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices trying to get help. The biggest healing I have seen in my day-to-day life (and this healing has been beautiful and extraordinary) started when I found a doctor that looked at my symptoms and then searched for the source of what was causing them. She didn’t try to mask the symptoms. Over the years I have had to take action in almost every area of my life to allow my brain to function well (or at least better). Sometimes I believe the car accident was a blessing in disguise because it wouldn’t allow the “normal” of this world to be acceptable to my function.
So much of what I’m sharing with you is because it truly makes me FEEL better. I am not choosing things out of nostalgia; I choose them because I live a better life. I am a better version of me when I acknowledge and honor that my brain can’t function in a busy/loud/technology heavy world. My brain will not allow my body to work the way the world may consider normal, so I don’t play along. I can’t. So, I would also acknowledge that I am years and years into living an analog life, but not because of some enlightenment, but because of necessity. I would also say that much of what society is now begging for is based on necessity too. The time has come for everyone to live a more analog life.
I would encourage you to find your own rhythm and slower practices that help your body, brain and creativity to function better. Your version does not need to look like mine. When I share some of my practices I also want to remind you, once again, that I had to be intentional with my daily choices or I don’t think I would have survived. I am not saying that lightly. My choices are years in the making. Start slowly and add more once new habits become lifestyle choices.
I have worked through what my brain and body needs starting from my first pregnancy all the way to the present. This more analog life has helped me in all stages of motherhood and womanhood. I get to bed early enough that I wake up naturally without an alarm and allow myself slow and intentional mornings. This looks like devotions, walking a few miles, coffee and connecting with Kelly. I do my Morning Pages when I am in a good rhythm and when I am my most intentional. It is important to me to make time to learn each day through reading. If the weather is beautiful, you will most likely find me sitting outside, probably with a book, with my feet to the ground. This allows my brain to slow down and rest from anything online that I have been doing. I am also a stickler for only doing one thing at a time. I do not even try to convince myself or others that I can multi-task. One tab is open on my computer at a time, I watch a movie with no phone, etc. My brain needs presence for each thing I do. A true limitation or side effect of my brain injury but a gift in hindsight.
One of the most wonderful decisions we have made as empty nesters is to make room for rest, creativity, learning and then actually planning for it. It is easy to fall into television or my phone at the end of the night without making room for, and planning the alternative. Each week we have scheduled a night to read, a night to listen to records together, and a night to watch a new movie from the AFI 100 list. Because these nights are on the calendar, we go into our day intentionally planning for it and being excited to pick our record, book or movie, etc. These are just the things we do, but you could plan anything. Something that invites you to slow down, be present and do more things you talk about wanting to do.
Over the past few years, I have been writing letters back and forth with a few friends. I find that I am more honest and/or vulnerable when I write my thoughts on paper. These letters also often include drawings, newspaper clippings, recipes etc. As soon as one of their letters arrive, I put it aside until I can sit down and slowly take in each word as a treasure. I don’t take it for granted that another person I love took the time to write to me.
Of all my little analog lifestyle changes over the years I would say one of the most impactful to my mind has been a Sabbath. One day a week (it can be any day) that I 100% do not work. I do not answer emails, don’t clean the house, don’t do yard work, don’t talk about work, don’t buy things, don’t do laundry…I don’t work or consume. I rest. Rest can look like hiking, reading, making art, gathering with friends, watching a documentary, talking on the phone with a friend or making a beautiful meal. A Sabbath. This is not only for those of faith but a call to everyone, no matter what they believe. It is an intentional choice to remind yourself that the world still spins without your pursuing/hustling. This was one of the hardest lifestyles changes we implemented a few years ago and it has been the most healing in my mindset. I don’t want to ever go back.
Many years ago, my brain and body broke and needed me to live differently than the rest of the world. That broken part of me put me on a food, creativity, and lifestyle journey that put me back together in one of the most intentional ways I can even imagine. The most wonderful part for you is that you are most likely not physically broken and get to say yes to a more analog life for all that it holds for you. I believe the most authentic parts of you will show up!
Bless you dear one Jeanne
Your writing make me want a wrist watch even more – not a fitbit or an apple watch – but a regular everyday tick tock watch. Thank you for sharing your whole story and I see it reflected in your art now that you have shared your journey – – – – – one thing at a time. (as I type this there is bread in the oven) and a smoothie being consumed!
I love when you said the most “authentic “ parts of a person will show up.. very true ! I love and need an analog life. My true self longs for it. Thank you for writing on this topic, so rarely mentioned by others. It is life giving.
Thank you! Your words mean a lot!
Thank you so much!
I need to sit down and devour your words. Make notes, then create my own analog life
I will make a start by not touching my phone or iPad on the Sabbath and by scheduling things into our diary as you have
Thank you Jeanne
Jeanne, I truly believe God knows what we need and WHEN we need it. This is one of those times. Thank you! Thank you for being vulnerable, for listening to the Spirit’s quiet prompting, and for so eloquently sharing. My soul and mind and body have become heavy and overwhelmed. So many decisions…second guessing of previous decisions and future facing decisions. and then a whisper quiets my soul. encourages my heart. and gives me hope. this was that whisper.
Beautiful Peggy! I know you must be feeling so overwhelmed. I pray you both find a life giving rhythm in this difficult time! Love you!
Thank you for sharing. You do not know the how you affect other people. The first time I took a class from you I told my daughter how much you helped me to be calm and present through my daily life.
I love your art but I also love the choices you make in everyday that are so full of good things that have special meaning to you and they make you happy. For instance when you go to the market and get home and show us your special vegetables, fruit, bread, cheese and wine. Then I am inspired to go to my farmers market and get all the things I love and bring them home. I always want to take a few minutes to look at all of the beauty of each item and then get watercolors out to paint.
See Jeanne you are a very special person whom can talk about and write about small things that bring out the best feelings. You are loved by many, many people all over the world… and I am one of the million.
Thank you for sharing. You do not know the how you affect other people. The first time I took a class from you I told my daughter how much you helped me to be calm and present through my daily life.
I love your art but I also love the choices you make in everyday that are so full of good things that have special meaning to you and they make you happy. For instance when you go to the market and get home and show us your special vegetables, fruit, bread, cheese and wine. Then I am inspired to go to my farmers market and get all the things I love and bring them home. I always want to take a few minutes to look at all of the beauty of each item and then get watercolors out to paint.
See Jeanne you are a very special person whom can talk about and write about small things that bring out the best feelings. You are loved by many, many people all over the world… and I am one of the million.
Wow, Jeanne, thank you for sharing your journey. At 86, I certainly remember the “way things were!” But, here I am trying my best to survive in this digital world. I have to admit that one of the things I started doing a few weeks ago was take my cappuccino out to the lanai and watch the sun rise, the sky turn blue and listen to the birds before I launch into my day. There is no reason why I can’t take a day like you suggest, just to REST, but, somehow, I allow other things to fill it. Thanks for the heads up…I will start thinking Analog instead of Digital!!
Wow. I so needed to read this today. In fact I read it twice. Thank you
Carlanda
Thank you for sharing this, Jeanne. It is all so personal and moving. We never fully know the lives of those around us, whether near or far, and yet understanding these things helps us understand one another so much better.
As for this desire you express through a return to a more analogue, less digital everyday life, I believe that the most important — and the most difficult — thing is to impose personal discipline on ourselves in order to maintain a healthy balance between the almost unavoidable time we spend in the digital world and the distance we wish to keep from it. The answer is probably different depending on each person’s age and circumstances.
As for me, I think what protects me is the time I devote to my passions: photography, the piano, which I started learning quite late in life, watercolour painting, and mixed media art. Beyond that, I feel that reading still does not occupy the place I would like to give it, whereas when I was younger, I devoted an enormous amount of time to it.
Perhaps the digital world creates the illusion of human connection — something we deeply need and which inevitably becomes scarcer as we grow older. It therefore takes genuine effort to preserve a balance and fulfil all these needs.
What seems undeniable to me, at least in my own experience, is that the sense of satisfaction and well-being is always far greater after any creative or artistic activity than after time spent in the digital world. The conclusions therefore speak for themselves, don’t they?
Thank you so much for this! Such a good word!! One of my favorite parts of our day is our evening time spent sitting on the porch to look out at the woods and lake and just notice the birds, bugs, etc. We jokingly call it Beer30, but the beverages range from San Pellegrino to wine to beer and often water. Just a little chill time after a full day. Something else that struck me from what you’ve written here is that often we encounter something that feels like a huge setback and it’s actually a beautiful gift from God that we didn’t know we needed. The setback wrapping is sometimes difficult to unwrap, but what a ministry on the other side!
Life is so chaotic and confusing right now and I remember the days of party line telephones and no tv and then small black and white tvs. Time spent lying on a blanket and watching the clouds pass by and in general leading a slower more calmly paced life. The half hour nightly news and then books and peace and quiet. Then came the doing time – when everyone’s first question was “ What do you do or what have you been doing and we all felt we had to be doing this and that to have an answer and this was put on steroids so that we forgot we had a life to live and filled it with doing to keep up. Now as I look forward to my eighty- first birthday I am trying to turn the tides of hurry and busyness back to a slower more intentional life so throughout the day I ask myself what is important now and I slow down. I don’t want to miss any more of my life by running through it. I see the dew on the morning grass and listen to the sounds of birds and wind and rain , the changing weather because as the Buddhists say everything is changing in every moment and if you’re not here but in your busy distracted mind you’re missing it
I gave up my smart phone 3 years ago because I could literally feel it rewiring my brain! I too have a sabbath . Brain surgery at age 27 was also traumatic and changed me for the better. I realized in the early 90’s that analog was better for me after having a rainbow arc from computer screen to my eyes and cause a seizure. I’m so happy that everyone is finally gaining the awareness and I’m not the only analog oddball!
Thank you Jeanne for your honesty and vulnerable story. I always tell my husband that I think of you as a friend even though we have never met. Your story was heartfelt. Once again making me reflect on my own life and how I live it. It’s funny how even as adults you can feel peer pressure. I am so honored to be part of your community and I will always call you my “friend”.
Thank you Jeanne for your honesty and vulnerable story. I always tell my husband that I think of you as a friend even though we have never met. Your story was heartfelt. Once again making me reflect on my own life and how I live it. It’s funny how even as adults you can feel peer pressure. I am so honored to be part of your community and I will always call you my “friend”.
Thank you for sharing your experience and reflections Jeanne! I recently took my old watch to the shop for a new battery and put the Apple watch away. I found the constant beeping or tracking to be intrusive and causing me to feel agitated. I also learned to knit and crochet in an effort to calm my nervous system. Working with my hands in a rhythmic manner is so soothing, plus it produces a certain sense of satisfaction while using my creative muscle. I didn’t make these changes because it was the trend, but because I intuitively felt the need for a change. You really sparked some other great ideas for lifestyle change. I have also joined a Bible study group which has enriched my life so much! Blessings dear friend!
I am so grateful for your gritty, unpolished, tender, raw process and how you handled the provocation of a car accident, catalyzing you into rhythms of grace and analog. You compel me with your authentic expression. My heart beats to the sound of similar pinnings, similar anointings, to slowly turn and reframe with peace and purpose. I am deeply changed by your journey and creative expression. HUGS.
Thank you for sharing your intimate experience and motivation to create art. Analog indeed. I know the digital world is supposed to help us, make things easier, advance us, but I find it frustrates, creates distance, when it doesn’t work, it’s not easy, and quite frankly it has turned us backwards in so many ways!
I’ve been feeling the same pushback…unplugging as much as possible, being kinder to myself so I can be present in a good way. My life is fraught with chaos if I allow it. Gos is my way thru and trying to hold His peace within. Thankyou for you!!!
Oh my gosh Jeanne, thanks for sharing this beautiful piece of who you are. The older I get, the more I dislike technology. I know we need it, as I need it to put the word out about my art classes for children on my property and in my barn. I am all about getting kids off screens and into nature and creativity. No matter where you go, you see people looking at their phones and not talking to who they are with. It’s so sad to see two people sitting at a table in a restaurant together and instead of talking, they are both on their phones. I know we need technology, but it’s developing at such a fast and frightening pace. I am all about analog and getting back to the simple things in life. I see our daughters, who are in their thirties, getting off social media and restricting their children from using phones. Our son who is 28 is all about nature, hunting, fishing and I have to beg him to take his phone and take photos of his adventures. He thinks social media is a waste of valuable time. I see more and more younger people getting off social media. They realize how easily you can go down the rabbit hole and spend HOURS of your precious time. I find myself guilty of this sometimes. Don’t we all? Thanks for reminding me how important this is. Hugs to you sweet lady.
I love this post. As someone who has also suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of being hit by a drunk driver, I can appreciate the choices that are necessary to make every day. How you see it as a “blessing in disguise” is really powerful. I wrote that in my journal for today – as a reminder that it is okay to slow down and choose to live a better life. A life where I function and live well. Thank you, Jeanne.
Oh my….such a touching life story and such an important message to all, young and old. I look forward to all of your mail and embrace your articles; they always have a profound message. I have forwarded this mail to a few friends whom I believe would benefit from reading it as an unbiased source of inspiration. I love that art tells your story, but when the “other story” is revealed art does take on a new dimension. Thank you
I truly relate to your words. I think the Tech has given us wonderful opportunities for communication, connection, inspiration and creative exchanges. But it´s like the SoMes are getting overflowed by shit (pardon my French). And people are spending too much time in a artificial, tech world. As an artist and creative I get really exhausted spending too much time online – I use it for presenting my work, editing photos, connect with other creatives + friends and family. But what truly gives me inspiration, gives me internal peace, makes my whole being feel relaxed, good and creative – is physical analog activities, being outside, in nature, being with other people and animals etc. Too much online time drains me of energy and makes me sad and depressed. I feel sad about how tech has taken over people´s – and childrens! – life. It s not good at all. I´m happy though that finally people are starting to reflect. While tech and AI is developing faster and faster. What kind of life do we want as humans? What kind of world? I prefere the analog, organic, natural world and tech as just a tool. And I truly hope that we as humans will protect our earth, our children, our future and stand up for what really matters. Thank you for you and your words and creative inspiration! Many kind greetings from Denmark.
Thank you for sharing your story. There is such beauty in your words, your openess and willingness to share. My husband and I moved away from the busiest city in our country after ‘life’ had got way too overwhelming for us both. It had got to the point where we both didn’t really want to be part of the world anymore -for different reasons- but we had hit rock bottom as did our marriage.
We moved to a much slower part of the country- a town where you walked into a shop and you waited for the shopkeeper to finish their conversation on the phone to clearly a family member about what was for dinner that night, before they served you. A place where a car would stop in the middle of the main highway to let a car turn into their driveway 🤪
We bought a property where we had to cut a forest clearing by hand to build our house.
Slowly over the last 17 years we built our home, completely off grid, and slowly we healed. We collect our own water, have a woodstove oven which heats our hot water, our home, and cooks the most amazing dinners. We have a generator that I have to walk 50metres to turn on so there’s enough power to use my coffee machine. We wash our dishes by hand. We have an outside bath. We too have a Sabbath when we simply rest. We have a garden which we wrestle the possums for produce! We are still modifying and improving everything getting ready for retirement in a few years.
Slowing down is how we survived, its HOW we survive. I never thought of it as ‘analog’ but it’s the perfect word for our lives.
We still have the internet, and probably watch too much TV, and I’m a fan of audible, but slowing down, going analog creates a balance of how we are supposed to be. I am grateful for life that makes you stop, reflect and re-evaluate, that leads you to a better way of doing things. And I’m so looking forward to leaving work in a few years to slow down even more and enjoy fully the lifestyle we’ve created.
Thanks again for your words of wisdom.
Jeanne, I fully agree about the necessity to slow down and invite more of the analog and quiet into our lives. I’ve always been fond of books and notebooks, and writing by hand, as it slows me down and provides time to think on paper. Several years ago I attended an NEH Institute on commonplace books, and that provided an opportunity to look more deeply into the history of books and bookbinding. I now make my own sketchbooks and notebooks (tearing paper, folding and sewing signatures, and making book covers from scratch). Surprisingly, it’s not at all as daunting and time consuming to make a notebook from scratch, as I once believed. I started by repurposing old books from used bookstores (I use the old yellowed book pages in collages), and then figured out how they are “put together,” as I gradually started making my own book covers (leather, board and paper, and cloth coverings).
I admit that digital tools can be helpful in our lives, but that doesn’t mean that we have to dismiss the need for analog. For me, it’s pure joy to create a new notebook that’s the perfect size and contains the type of smooth paper that makes my fountain pens glide. And when I want to use watercolors in my sketchbook, I can make one with watercolor paper.
Thank you for reinforcing the notion and need for analog inour lives.