The Analog Resurgence in 2026
As AI-powered devices and assistants become ubiquitous, a surprising trend is emerging in 2026: people are actively rejecting the digital world in favor of analog lifestyles. This movement, far from a temporary digital detox, represents a deeper cultural shift toward tangible experiences and slow-paced living.
What Is the Analog Lifestyle?
The analog lifestyle is a deliberate choice to disconnect from digital devices and AI-driven conveniences. Instead, individuals are returning to tactile tasks, hands-on hobbies, and face-to-face social interactions. This isn’t just about unplugging; it’s about revaluing the physical and the real in an increasingly virtual world.
The Rise of Offline Hobbies
Arts and crafts company Michael’s has witnessed a dramatic surge in demand for analog hobbies. Searches for “analog hobbies” on their site jumped by 136% in the past six months, with guided craft kits seeing an 86% sales increase in 2025. This year, they anticipate another 30% to 40% rise. Even seemingly niche items like yarn kits have seen a staggering 1,200% increase in searches.
“I do think it’s this really big cultural shift happening right now,” said Stacey Shively, Michael’s chief merchandising officer. The company plans to allocate more store space for knitting materials, reflecting the growing interest in these traditional crafts.
Mental Health and the Analog Escape
For many, the analog lifestyle is a response to the mental fatigue induced by constant digital engagement. After years of pandemic-induced screen time, people are seeking relief from the relentless cycle of notifications and online scrolling. Crafting and other offline activities offer a mental health break, allowing individuals to focus on the present and reduce stress.
“More people are using crafting as a mental health break to get away from doomscrolling,” Shively added. This trend underscores a broader recognition of the need for balance in a tech-saturated world.
Real Stories of Digital Detachment
Shaughnessy Barker, a New York-based professional, hosted a dinner party in January 2026 that highlighted her commitment to an analog lifestyle. Barker, who values social gatherings as a way to detach from digital life, shared her experience on TikTok, showcasing the joy of connecting with friends without digital intermediaries.
A Personal Digital Detox
CNN Business reporter Ramishah Maruf took an extreme approach to digital detox: she ditched her three iPhones, one MacBook, two large desktop monitors, a Kindle, and an Alexa. The move was part of a broader effort to reclaim her time and mental space from the clutches of technology.
“It’s about finding tangible ways to complete daily tasks and find entertainment, especially as generative AI platforms increasingly do the thinking and doing for us,” Maruf reflected. Her experience mirrors the growing sentiment that less digital engagement can lead to a more fulfilling life.
The Broader Implications of the Analog Trend
The shift toward analog lifestyles in 2026 has several implications, both for individuals and for industries. For consumers, it represents a move toward mindfulness and intentional living. For businesses, it signals a need to adapt to changing preferences, with more emphasis on physical products and services that cater to a desire for tactile experiences.
What This Means for Tech Companies
As more people embrace analog alternatives, tech companies may need to reconsider their strategies. The relentless push for AI and digital convenience could face resistance if it overshadows the human need for connection and physical engagement. This could lead to a more balanced approach to technology, one that values both digital efficiency and analog richness.
The Future of Work and Leisure
The analog resurgence also has implications for how we work and leisure. Remote work, accelerated by the pandemic, has increased screen time and digital fatigue. The analog trend suggests a future where work-life balance is achieved not just through time management but through a conscious shift away from digital overload.
Entertainment, too, is seeing a shift. Traditional hobbies like board games, gardening, and cooking are regaining popularity, offering alternatives to streaming services and online gaming. This doesn’t mean the end of digital entertainment but rather a more balanced integration of analog and digital experiences.
Conclusion: Finding Balance in a Digital Age
The analog lifestyle trend of 2026 is more than a fleeting fad; it’s a response to the pressures of a hyper-digitized world. As AI continues to permeate every aspect of our lives, the desire for analog alternatives highlights a fundamental human need for connection, mindfulness, and the tangible. This movement reminds us that in the pursuit of technological advancement, we must not lose sight of what makes life rich and meaningful.
Whether this trend will persist or evolve remains to be seen, but its emergence in 2026 signals a critical moment in our relationship with technology. The analog resurgence is a call to find balance, to slow down, and to reconnect with the real in an increasingly virtual world.
