The offline generation: finding connection again

Photo by Guillermo Berlin at Pexels

Aya Pfeufer explores analogue hobbies, creativity and finding balance in a digital world

There is a change happening in the corners of our lives fuelled by algorithm burnout. It’s being fuelled by a “tote bag”.

Inside are the things many of us are turning back to: books, journals, crosswords, knitting and other offline activities that offer a break from the constant pull of our screens

You’ve likely seen the growing trend online either through media coverage or scrolling through social media, TikTok’s For You Page (FYP) or Instagram reels, or perhaps you are already part of it: the analogue bag. It refers to a bag, consisting of offline activities, such as crosswords, knitting, novels and journals, which have become increasingly more popular.

Bringing offline activities into our everyday lives, whether that is a sudoku book, a painting set or a journal, has become a way to practice digital detox, as well as help spend less time doomscrolling.

Younger generations, like ours, Gen Z, have grown up predominantly around screens, and Generation Alpha has grown up even more immersed in them. It is not that we’re being urged to leave the digital behind us. It’s that we’re choosing to walk away from parts of it ourselves, especially the addictive parts that keep us hooked and craving more.

This isn’t just a side quest. It is a reaction to digital overload and the constant use of fast-paced technology, which has become a major pillar of modern life. When we receive instant notifications, or consume algorithmically tailored content we receive a release of dopamine. It’s instant. When we repeat this action, it may develop into a habit, perhaps it makes it more challenging to feel joy from real-life activities.

Photo by Wisconsinpictures from Pixabay

As more of our music, photos and videos become digital, we are losing some of the physical connection that comes with owning and interacting with tangible objects. Perhaps we are missing something from the experience of taking a photo with a camera, listening to a CD or playing a record. These physical experiences slow down the process, making it feel more intentional and meaningful.

This change has shifted from our personal hobbies into schools. Sweden, recently made headlines for reversing its approach to digital learning. After years of embracing technology in classrooms, the government has begun shifting back towards more traditional methods, investing millions in physical textbooks and bringing pen-and-paper writing back into schools.

The reasoning is more to do with the impacts of digital learning on retention rates. Recent research reveals that writing on paper activates the brain more than typing and can also result in improved memory. Sweden’s new policy highlights what many of us are realising: screens can sometimes decrease our attention span.

Personally, during my early school years, pen and paper and physical textbooks were always used in the classroom. During college, I switched to mainly using digital note-taking methods and typing, but still kept a few notebooks. I think it’s about balance.

We can stream music online, but why not explore older forms of listening to music, like vinyl records? Or at least see how the experience may differ. Vinyl sales grew to $1 billion in revenue in 2025, and many buyers are still streaming music on the side.

Analog formats, whether that is paper or vinyl, enables us to physically store them to later revisit. As global digitalisation continues to rapidly increase, it doesn’t have to be everywhere. It’s about making sure that we have space for analogue activities too!
Photo by StockSnap from Pixabay