Returning to an Analog Life
This post has unexpectedly, yet seamlessly, become a sequel to my last post The Modern Hiatus.
A continuation of the longing for a richer, more purposeful life saturated in the present moment.
Here you’ll find an open conversation of ideas that I’m proposing to pursue in the year ahead.
I hope this epilogue stirs impulse and momentum within you too.
There’s a notion that many of us are feeling pulled towards — analog living.
It may seem like a trending topic but there is a deeper truth as to why so many are drawn to return to old-school ways of life.
Something is missing from our modern lives and it’s not other material item or thing we can purchase; it’s a state of being.
The calm, presence of living an enriched and fulfilled life.
One in which our attention is directed with autonomy and our actions are intentional. Where the natural duality of simplicity and depth is experienced in perfect balance and digital devices aren’t dictating our every move.
At least on my part, this is how I try to make my days feel — rich, somewhat nostalgic and deeply appreciated.
For the year ahead I intend to take this further and return as much as I possibly can to an analog lifestyle.
If you’re feeling the pull to decline the hustle and bustle, detour the shortcuts and traps of our modern conveniences and take an
‘old school’ approach to life then I hope you’ll find this piece an inspiring nudge in the right direction.
Read on as I share some of the ways I propose to create more intention in my days.
May this conversation serve as a catalyst for you
to shape a purposeful and deeply present life.
Material Possessions & The Labour of Love
With an array of material items at our fingertips, there is absolutely no shortage of tools or products built to be ‘more convenient’.
Despite this, I’m of the firm opinion that for the most part we actually gain more from making use of the things that are slower, more time consuming or ‘unpractical’ on the basis that what we really need most is more presence, patience and appreciation.
It goes without saying that we are incredibly fortunate to have all of the luxuries of a contemporary lifestyle, however, somewhere along the way in all of our modern advancements I feel we’ve lost touch of basic simplicity and forgotten about the labour of love.
In the search for faster, better, smarter we’ve distanced ourselves from the joy that comes from tradition. From the fulfilment of seeing things through. From slowness, process and development. We’ve forgotten about the things that just do what they’re meant to do.
Take film cameras as an example — beyond their nostalgic essence we find joy in the process of using them. From the act of capturing a specific moment, to developing the film, all the way through to receiving the final photos. It’s a process of delayed gratification and exactly what we need in our modern world.
In a society of quick, convenient solutions we’ve neglected the slow road and the satisfaction often found in manual tasks and analog items.
I encourage you to consider all the different material goods you use on a daily basis — think appliances, devices, tools and so on.
Perhaps there is an alternative (or original version) you can opt for.
Here are an assortment of ideas to offer guidance:
Make something from scratch.
Use a traditional kettle or tea pot.
Opt for manual over electrical or digital.
Learn practical skills or try to master a craft.
Dedicate time to hobbies and activities that are completely offline.
Get an analog, battery powered alarm clock.
Source a walkman, CD player, record player or iPod Shuffle.
Take up film photography.
Revert to a flip phone.
Buy paperbacks rather than audio-books.
These suggestions are designed to be slow,
to allow space for reflection and presence.
THE SCENIC ROUTE
In a fast-paced world, we exist with an imminent sense of hurry. We know the quickest routes and take all the shortcuts we can to save time and get where we’re going faster.
Why not change this frame of mind and choose a slower mode, to take the longer route and detour somewhere scenic? Making a habit of stepping out of your routine allows room for new ideas, thoughts, opportunities and surprise.
Switch up your mode of transport — walk, ride, skate, rollerblade if that’s your calling, try something different and notice how your perception and enjoyment of time changes.
Perhaps on your next drive you might listen to a CD or cassette tape instead of instantly connecting to wireless listening. Maybe you’ll drive with the windows down and remember what it’s like to listen to the ordinary sounds of life. Maybe you’ll walk or run with an effort to enjoy movement without music and simply take in the world around you (yes, your legs will still take you just as far).
Filling every living gap with external stimuli and living out the same patterns repetitively, leaves no space for creative thought to find you.
So, may this be your sign to seek new paths as much as possible and adopt a more explorative approach to daily life.
Go somewhere new. Try something different. Change your routine.
Life feels a whole lot more vibrant when you are actively engaging in spontaneity and receptive to the beauty around you.
Take the scenic route as often as
you can and see where it leads you.
beauty in Longhand
Coming back to material possessions, something I feel is important, and rather chic for that matter, is keeping a written calendar or personal agenda for handwriting important dates, to-do lists, notes and the like.
This likely stems from my own appreciation for longhand and the art of a handwritten note. A manual task, that at a basic level, requires a degree of effort and intention.
There is something to say about the beauty of the written word and in our expression of it. Built into our very being is a personal font — the written equivalent of the sound of our voice.
In a world of text messages and emails, digital calendars, planners, et cetera it’s seeming like a long-lost art to hand write anything.
On this note, my proposition moving forwards is to write, pen in hand, at every chance.
Messages, reminders, shopping lists, thank you notes, love letters. All of this and more, knowing that whoever is on the receiving end, whether yourself or someone else, always appreciates the time and effort taken to write something with care.
Here are some ideas if you’re feeling inspired.
Hand write your lists for shopping, to-do’s, reminders.
Keep a small notebook on you for keeping track of fleeting
ideas, important dates, figures and more.
Leave sweet post-it-note messages for someone to find.
Practice cursive, I can almost guarantee you haven’t done this
since you were young.
Buy a beautiful diary or planner (this doubles as an essential to being more organised).
Write thank you notes, or better yet a love letter.
Give handwritten letters to your closest friends for birthdays and special occasions.
Send postcards whilst travelling.
Originality & Character
Beyond opting for more old-school practices, something I try to emulate in my daily life is retaining a sense of connection and authenticity with those around me.
For me this means knowing the names of the people I interact with regularly, from baristas to local growers to the staff at the post office.
It looks like greetings that show you genuinely care. Compliments with heart. Having the patience to let others jump in cue. It means going out of your way to support small business, paying in cash and choosing to interact with people directly.
In my opinion, building connections in person is one of the most vital keys to experiencing a rich and deeply fulfilling life.
Next time you find yourself waiting somewhere, whether in line or at a cafe, remember that you can and should exist without the need to be online, checking updates or filling time scrolling in an attempt to escape the present moment. Spark a conversation when you can create the opportunity or simply observe that life is happening all around — a practice in mindfulness of sorts. Notice how many people avoid this and let it serve as a reminder that the most magnetic, authentic people are the ones giving their attention to the present moment and the people in it.
For the year ahead I encourage you to take creative direction of your life and avoid mediocracy at all costs.
Ask deeper questions. Listen to understand. Do nice things and try not to get caught.
This is your sign to live passionately in the here and now.
Further suggestions for those inclined:
Embrace aspects of a more ‘traditional’ approach to living.
Develop patience and understanding.
Aspire to embody fundamental goodness, integrity and authenticity.
Do something nice without seeking recognition and without anyone knowing.
Reject self-serve, automated processes and opt to speak to people directly.
Initiate conversation.
Pay in cash.
Learn the names of people you interact with often.
Harnessing Joy Through PASTIMES & Experiences
Besides all of these suggestions, perhaps the one of the biggest indicators of a rich and fulfilled life is the ability to experience childlike joy as often as possible. It’s the fun of trying something new, or rediscovering a past talent. Of getting swept away by conversation or losing track of time during something competitive. This kind of joy is the intangible feeling of activities that foster collaboration and connection.
The beauty here is that this is accessible to each and every one of us — there’s really not much more required than an imaginative mind.
All it takes is the willingness, and sometimes a creative approach, to make time for the things that brought you joy as a child — thats is, simply anything offline and real.
It may sound trivial but returning to a state of childlike wonder is one of the key elements to living a purpose-filled, youthful life.
If you’re not quite sure where I’m going with this, here are some prompts to spark your imagination.
Do something you haven’t done since you were a child: fly a kite, climb a tree, sleep under the stars.
Take up a new, or long-lost hobby: tennis, padel, stand-up paddle boarding.
Retrain your mind and support your cognitive health by opting for mindful activities over screens: cards, chess, games-nights, et cetera.
Gather your family & friends for dinner parties or collaborative activities to harness a greater sense of community and connection.
See how far you can stretch your imagination to experience more joy; perhaps a familiar activity with a twist or seeking out something entirely out of your comfort zone.
To me it feels like we’ve been mislead, but we’re not lost. It’s why we’re longing for this sense of a more fulfilled life and why you are reading this right now. We need something richer, something with depth.
But that life is still here, it exists all around and it’s waiting to be pursued.
Returning to an analog lifestyle is merely a mindset shift.
It’s slowing down to appreciate the passing of time, living deeply captivated by the present moment and taking a leisurely approach to living out your daily tasks, routines and activities in the real world — here and now.
May this post be the catalyst you’re searching for.
I hope this conversation ignites some inspiration within you and I trust that these prompts will help to steer you towards a richer, more present and more deeply appreciated year ahead.
With love,
Brooke.