Why I'm Choosing to Go Analogue in 2026 (and why balance matters)

Lately it feels like there's been quite a shift happening. 

It feels like more people are reaching for paper planners, physical books, film cameras and other hobbies that don't require a screen. As a society, we seem to be craving something slower, something more tactile, more human. And at the start of this year I realised that I too wanted to be a part of that shift. 

Don't worry I'm not disappearing offline entirely, but am choosing to live a little more analogue where I can.

For me, this isn't about rejecting technology or pretending that we can all live without phones. Because we can't. My job, my business and my creativity all exist partly online. Instead it is about being intentional. Consuming consciously, not mindlessly. Creating space for the things in my life that fill my cup beyond looking at a screen.

the quiet burnout of being always online

Somewhere along the way scrolling has become our collective default. A spare 5 minutes? Scroll. Waiting for the kettle to boil? Scroll. And the list goes on. Whilst I don't think there's anything wrong with social media or the internet, the constant consumption can quietly drain creativity and attention without us even noticing.

I've felt it most in my creativity. When my brain is full of other people's ideas, opinions and aesthetics there's less room for my own. Stepping back - even slightly - has helped me to reconnect with what I actually enjoy, rather than what the algorithm decides I should want.

why going analogue feels right for 2026

Going analogue for me, looks like small intentional choices. Reading physical books instead of reaching for my phone in spare moments. Creating with my hands without documenting every step for content.

It's about choosing hobbies that exist purely for joy. No productivity pressure. No end goal. Just the act of making something, badly or beautifully, and enjoying the process anyway.

There's something so deeply grounding about analogue things. Paper, paint, pens and pages demand presence. You can't scroll through a notebook. You can't rush a painting the way you can speed up a tiktok video. It forces you to slow down, and honestly, I think so many of us need that.

finding balance when your life is online

Of course, balance is key. I can't (and don't want to) step away from the online world entirely. Indi Arden exists because of the internet. My work relies on social media, my website and digital tools. But I'm learning that being doesn't have to mean being constantly available or endlessly consuming.

For me balance looks like:

• creating content in batches and then stepping away
• logging on with intention not boredom
• being mindful about what I consume and how it makes me feel
• allowing myself offline time without guilt

I am trying to essentially use the internet as a tool instead of turning to it as my default setting.

Going analogue isn't about going backwards, it's about moving forward with intention. Choosing what deserves our time, attention and energy. And if I can find that balance between creating online and living offline, I think that's where the magic really is.

So here's to slower days, fuller pages and a little less scrolling...