2026 Forecast: Analog Lifestyle as an AI Antidote

As AI-powered tools take on more of our everyday responsibilities, a growing number of people are looking for opportunities to disconnect and reconnect with tangible experiences. This shift, widely known as the “analog lifestyle,” emphasizes easing the pace, embracing practical activities, and recapturing time away from screens and generative AI.

The phenomenon is growing, even if hard to measure precisely. Hobbies traditionally seen as old-fashioned, such as knitting, painting, and crafting, are seeing a resurgence. Arts and crafts retailer Michael’s has reported a 136% increase in searches for “analog hobbies” over the past six months. Sales of guided craft kits rose 86% in 2025, with projections showing another 30% to 40% increase this year. Yarn kits, long associated with traditional hobbies, jumped 1,200% in popularity. Stacey Shively, Michael’s chief merchandising officer, explained that the company plans to expand in-store sections dedicated to these materials as demand continues to grow.

A large part of the attraction comes from its mental health advantages, as many people now turn to crafting and other analog pastimes to escape nonstop online browsing, especially following the isolation and digital burnout brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Experiencing analog first-hand

CNN Business reporter Ramishah Maruf chose to explore the analog lifestyle firsthand. Over a 48-hour period, she put aside nearly every modern device she owned, including three iPhones, a MacBook, two large desktop monitors, a Kindle, and an Alexa. The experience went beyond stepping away from technology; it centered on breaking the cycle of automatic scrolling and regaining command of her time and focus.

Many people opt to disconnect from screens as a cultural or personal preference rather than committing to a strict digital detox. In British Columbia, 25-year-old Shaughnessy Barker has fully adopted an analog lifestyle. She relies on a home landline and uses a “dumb phone” app when she’s out, prioritizing conversations and letters over social media. Barker calls herself “an AI hater to my core,” having been raised on vinyl records and a collection of VHS tapes, DVDs, and cassettes. She organizes tech-free craft sessions and wine gatherings, pens handwritten messages, and enforces firm limits on how she uses her computer.

Even dedicated analog enthusiasts like Barker face challenges. Much of her work—running a vintage shop and a “snail mail club”—requires the internet, highlighting the tension between embracing offline living and managing practical responsibilities in a digital world. Barker acknowledges the paradox: using TikTok to promote a tech-free lifestyle illustrates the balancing act required to live analog in a digital age.

Why analog lifestyles are appealing

Many individuals increasingly embrace analog approaches in reaction to AI-generated content, often labeled as “AI slop,” a term used by Avriel Epps, an AI researcher at the University of California Riverside, who portrays it as monotonous, draining, and devoid of originality, while the analog movement itself does not reject technology but instead encourages participants to weave selected offline experiences into their daily routines.

Some opt for modest yet meaningful shifts, like swapping streaming platforms for a vintage iPod, shooting on film instead of taking endless digital photos, or relying on a physical alarm clock rather than a smartphone. These decisions deliver tangible benefits and help curb dependence on digital habits. Epps notes that embracing analog tools is less about rejecting information and more about controlling how much the digital realm learns about a person, whether by stepping back from Google’s ecosystem or committing to screen‑free Sundays.

The appeal extends beyond personal satisfaction. For many, hands-on hobbies provide focus, creativity, and relaxation in ways that AI-driven entertainment cannot. During Maruf’s 48-hour experiment, she found that crafting, reading, and journaling freed up time that would otherwise be lost to scrolling. Activities like knitting, painting, or tackling physical projects allow participants to see immediate, tangible results from their efforts, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment.

Community and connection through analog hobbies

Analog practices often bring people together, creating social opportunities without screens. Maruf observed this firsthand at a knitting circle in a Brooklyn library, where participants of all ages shared tips and projects while remaining entirely screen-free. Tanya Nguyen, a regular attendee, explained that knitting offers a hands-on way to decompress while avoiding phones.

Offline activities foster a calmer, more present mindset, something many participants admit is difficult to attain when most interactions happen through digital devices. By engaging with physical tasks—whether stitching a scarf, keeping a journal, or turning the pages of a printed book—analog fans discover both fulfillment and a sense of belonging. For Maruf, this analog trial made it possible for her to wrap up goals such as completing “Wuthering Heights,” mailing a handwritten postcard, and starting a knitting project, giving her a concrete feeling of achievement that extended beyond work or online demands.

Difficulties faced when embracing an analog lifestyle in an ever-connected world

Despite its appeal, fully adopting an analog lifestyle presents challenges. Many responsibilities still require digital tools, from professional work to personal communications. Even devoted practitioners must navigate the tension between embracing offline life and participating in online systems necessary for daily life.

Additionally, the trend highlights generational differences. Younger adults, particularly those who grew up with technology, may find it difficult to fully detach from screens. However, as the analog lifestyle gains popularity, even partial adoption—screen-free mornings, offline hobbies, and limits on social media—can provide meaningful relief from digital fatigue and AI saturation.

The movement also reflects a cultural shift in attitudes toward technology. Increasingly, people are questioning the role of AI in daily life, seeking experiences that prioritize creativity, authenticity, and personal engagement over speed and convenience. By slowing down, focusing on tangible projects, and reducing reliance on AI-generated content, participants reclaim autonomy over their time, attention, and creativity.

A growing cultural shift

The surge in interest for analog hobbies signals more than a niche trend. Companies like Michael’s report dramatic growth in sales and searches for analog-focused products, suggesting that many Americans are exploring offline hobbies as a form of self-care and cultural resistance to constant digitization.

While full digital abstinence is often impractical, the analog lifestyle demonstrates the value of selective offline engagement. By integrating screen-free activities into daily routines, individuals can regain focus, reduce stress, and create meaningful results that AI cannot replicate.

In the end, the analog lifestyle stands as both a personal and collective reaction to a world increasingly shaped by AI, highlighting a slower pace, a renewed appreciation for concrete achievements, and a deeper reconnection with the physical world and the people within it. Whether through hands‑on activities, reading, or simply cutting back on screen exposure, this movement invites individuals to reclaim elements of life that technology often eclipses, offering a route toward greater equilibrium in the digital age.

As more people explore these offline practices, it’s clear that analog living is not just a temporary fad but a broader cultural shift toward intentional, hands-on experiences in a world dominated by AI and digital convenience.