Ditch Your Phone This Summer and Party Like It’s the 90s

Why is analog trending?

Many of us spend our days bouncing between emails, texts, social media feeds, videos, and notifications. The result is mental fatigue. Analog isn't making a comeback because people hate technology. It's making a comeback because people miss being fully alive in their lives. Whether it's reading a physical book, knitting, journaling, gardening, or playing board games, these activities allow the brain to slow down and focus on one thing at a time.

Key Takeaways

• Analog activities are anything that requires hands-on attention.

• Analog hobbies feel restorative because they give our brain a break.

• Many people describe analog hobbies as calming, grounding, and therapeutic.

• Gen Zers are driving the analog trends.

• Analog is not an anti-tech movement; it’s an effort to spend more time offline.

• Tips on how to create your own analog bag. [Can we link this to the collateral, so they can click and go straight to download?]

Remember when summers were filled with pool parties, bike rides, trampolines, and ball games in the park with friends? These days, people are more likely to waste warm summer days scrolling on their phones or browsing other people’s vacation pics on social media.  

What if this summer you decided to live it up just like kids did in the 90s? That’s where this new analog craze comes in. What are analog activities? It’s basically anything that takes place offline and requires hands-on attention. 

 “Gen Z is embracing ‘slow’ hobbies because they provide connection, purpose, and relief from digital fatigue.”

Ironically (or not), Gen Zers are the ones driving the analog trends. That’s because many of these younger adults grew up with smartphones and social media. They are now experiencing the consequences firsthand, such as burnout, attention fragmentation, anxiety, and digital overload.

Analog hobbies, on the other hand, are calming, grounding, and even therapeutic. Plus, they can help you break your smartphone habits. Analog hobbies involve doing something tangible and focused, and they can help you stay present.

So, forget your phone this summer and take on some new outdoor adventures. Here are 20 summer fun-in-the-sun activities to get you started. Before you know it, nostalgia might come creeping in.

“[Analog] isn’t an anti-digital movement. Almost nobody is giving up their phone. People are looking for hybrid lives, with environments that include some part of the day that doesn’t live behind glass.”

Read an Actual Book Instead of an eBook

There are always projects to tackle, and to-do lists abound, but what if we let go of our need to always be busy? You don’t have to earn the right to spend an afternoon reading. Just grab a new book, find a comfy chair, and allow yourself the bliss of reading outside on a lovely summer day. 

To complement your reading retreat, consider making a batch of iced tea and enjoying a cool glass filled with ice cubes, lemon, and fresh mint. Pair it with snacks like fresh fruit, cheese, crackers, or any finger food you're craving to enhance your summer experience.

Make this the moment you truly unplug: leave your phone inside, breathe deep, and lose yourself in a good story as the breeze stirs the air. Take this opportunity to create a magical afternoon for yourself.

 “Gen Z is helping fuel a resurgence in physical books and library visits, with many preferring print books over digital formats and actively participating in reading communities.”

Why Riding a Bike Is Good

Remember what it felt like to ride your bike on a sunny afternoon with nothing but your thoughts and the sounds of the wind in the trees and the birds chirping? Nothing can take you back to the joy of childhood like taking an aimless ride through your neighborhood or along a nearby trail.

Whether you want meditation or adventure, a bike ride can offer both. It provides a rewarding cardio workout that often feels more like play than exercise. Biking also serves as a fun way to run errands or meet up with friends. 

One Wisephone user actually sold his car in an effort to spend more time riding his bike, and it has been a positive life change.

Even if you don’t own a bike, most cities have ones you can rent for a few hours. It might even inspire you to buy one. And ditch the earbuds. Take a break from the podcasts and listen to the sounds of the world around you.

Jewelry Making Builds Focus

As a child, did you bond with good pals while making things like friendship bracelets? Grab some supplies at a craft store and set up a table and some chairs in the shade. Then you can enjoy a nostalgic afternoon making some creations with your friends or partner. 

Crafting is a calming activity that can help focus your mind, and the muscle memory will come rushing back before you know it. Plus, you’ll have some fun and unique gifts on hand for the next special occasion.

Spend Summers Evenings By a Fire 

Who says you need to go camping in order to make s’mores? Creating a backyard fire pit could be a fun bonding experience, and you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor all summer long. If that isn’t doable, nearly every hardware store carries portable fire pits you can set up anywhere you want.

There are also several beaches and parks where you can have an evening fire as you watch the sun set. Nothing beats sitting around a warm fire sharing stories with friends and family. Maybe even tell some ghost stories on a dark night.

Creating Postcards Is Trending

Snail mail is definitely having a comeback, and it feels great to get something thoughtful in the mail. It hits different from receiving an email or text message. Pick up a stack of postcards during your summer travels or at a local gift shop. Or, if you're crafty, you can make your own postcard creations. 

Get creative and have fun, like we do at Techless. In fact, for the Christmas party, we created “elf” versions of ourselves and then used water color paint to showcase our personalities. Wouldn’t something like this make a fun postcard?

With something like a postcard, the message doesn’t have to be profound, and it only takes a minute to wish someone a good summer. Sending postcards is a great way to connect with people you’ve been meaning to reach out to more. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a tangible moment of joy the next time you open your mailbox?

 84% of survey respondents said they had incorporated more analog habits such as reading physical books, handwriting notes, or using paper planners.

Disposable Cameras Are Here Again

You may have noticed that disposable cameras are amongst us again. Think of the way you used to take photos before smartphones. Not knowing how the photos will turn out until you develop them changes how you take photos. You can’t just randomly snap pictures and feel confident that at least one will turn out the way you want. 

With a disposable camera, you get to enjoy a special experience twice. Once, when you’re living in the moment and taking the photo, and again when you get back the film after it’s developed.

Polaroid cameras have also made a comeback, which is an experience all its own.

Journaling to Capture Memories

Journaling your summer adventures offers a more meaningful way to capture memories than posting on social media. It’s a low-pressure approach to remembering a season that always seems to pass too quickly. Beyond just recording memories, journaling lets you be creative with how you share the details. 

For example, write about the new summer dishes you enjoyed, and perhaps include the recipe. Share the books you read and include favorite quotes from each. Include ticket stubs from the concerts you attended and pressed flowers from the trails you hiked.

Ice Cream—The Perfect Summer Treat

What’s better than walking to an ice cream parlor on a hot summer day? It just hits the spot! And if you get the ice cream on a cone and meander around the park on the way back home, you’ll have the added challenge of eating it before it melts down your arm.

And ice cream runs can be a delight even if you venture out solo.

Game Nights Build Connection and Fun

The summer is the perfect time to dig out your old board games and card decks you used to enjoy playing before scrolling and streaming became a thing. Set up a table on the patio, put out some snacks and drinks, and invite friends over for a fun evening.

Playing games is a far preferable way to spend a nice summer evening than browsing streaming services for a movie everyone can agree on. Plus, you’ll likely have so much fun you’ll wonder why the games have sat in the back of the coat closet for so long.

Adults Can Use Sidewalk Chalk Too

Who says you have to be a child to enjoy this low-stakes creative outlet? A bucket of chalk costs only a few dollars and can provide hours of fun. Even if you’ve convinced yourself you can’t draw real art, there are limitless things you can doodle on your driveway, sidewalk, or a nearby parking lot.

Consider leaving an inspiring message for passersby or draw a fun activity such as hopscotch. Then kick back and enjoy watching how others engage with your creation. 

Summer Picnics Without Your Phone

A picnic is the quintessential summer activity enjoyed by people of all ages. But you can make it even better by making a rule that no phones are allowed on the blanket. Pack up your favorite picnic foods and gather your favorite people for a lovely afternoon.

Perhaps get creative with your picnic locations. Rather than always heading to the same park, try out new spots near lakes, rivers, and flower gardens. Or what could be more fun than having a picnic on the side of a nature trail after an invigorating hike?

Drive-Ins Are Great for Nostalgia

It’s true that an air-conditioned movie theater is a great place to escape the heat. But going to the drive-in feels like a special treat. Plus you can load up the car with blankets, pillows, and your favorite snacks.

Also, remember that most drive-ins play a double feature, and those two movies might cost less than one movie at a big megaplex.

Stargazing Is So Underrated

Think of summer nights in the past when you reclined back under the night sky with no screen to distract you. On the next clear night, head to a quiet spot away from city lights and lay down a blanket on the lawn or the sand. 

Do you remember the constellations you learned while in school and can you spot some in the sky? What different objects can you see and can you come up with clever names for the random shapes you find? If you’re lucky, you’ll see a shooting star.

Snail Mail is All the Rage

Head out to your favorite coffee shop or brewery with some stationary and pens, and craft a special message to a family member or friend. Taking the time to write a note by hand forces you to slow down and consider your words more carefully. 

Is there someone who's been on your mind that you haven’t spoken to in a while? Just think how happy it would make them to receive a handwritten missive letting them know they were on your mind. Perhaps you’ll get a letter in return!

Gardening Promotes Mental Health

It’s always delightful to have a garden full of fresh vegetables and fruit. Even having a few herbs in pots and flowers on the porch gives you an ongoing project you can tend to throughout the summer. Planting also feels meditative and requires mindful presence. 

You can really go for it and have fun by creating a fairy garden with little furniture among the flowers and lights that twinkle after dark. You could also add a charming gnome village amongst the flower beds. There’s no limit to what your imagination can create!

Reconnect to Your Childhood With Crafting 

Think back to the summers of your childhood when you seemed to have endless days of free time to do whatever you wanted. What brought you joy? Was it painting water colors, using colored pencils and coloring books, scrapbooking, or playing with clay? Perhaps all of the above!

There is no rule that adults cannot enjoy these hobbies as well. And reconnecting with activities you forgot you love can be a source of endless joy.

Experiment With Making New Beverages

Is there a summer cocktail or mocktail you’ve always thought about making? Why not put these thoughts into action on a Saturday afternoon? Invest in quality ingredients and approach the process like an experiment. 

Mixing drinks is a creative way to have fun, and it could turn into a ritual you look forward to at the end of a busy week. Plus, you’ll have something new to bring to the next BBQ.

Pressed Flowers Make Summer Fun Last Longer

If you decide to take up the challenge of journaling, pressing flowers can be an original way to chronicle your summer adventures. Consider picking wildflowers on hikes or saving roses after you cut them from their stems. Even herbs and leaves can be fun little mementos that can cheer you up on a gloomy winter day.

Flower pressing is as simple as finding a heavy book and pressing your gatherings between the pages. Leave the flowers there for a few weeks, and once they are dry, you have a delightful keepsake. In addition to your journal, pressed flowers make a great addition to homemade cards and framed art.

Picking Fresh Fruit Tastes Better

Many places throughout the United States and other countries have farms that allow visitors to pay a small fee to pick their own fruit and other items. From lavender fields to berry bushes to cherry orchards, there are limitless options for your enjoyment. Plus, the fruit tastes even better when you pick it yourself.

This hobby can be done during multiple months of the year. Make a point to pick strawberries in the spring, cherries in the early summer, peaches in the late summer, corn in the early fall, and apples once the leaves begin to turn.

Camping to Unplug

One of the best ways to escape the noise and distractions of a smartphone is to venture into a place with zero cell service. Having a little adventure in the wilderness is a great way to reset and recoup from the stress of everyday life. 

Spending a night out in nature without having the option to stream movies or scroll through social media can lead to valuable reconnection. Whether you are spending quality time with friends, family, or a partner, there’s no better way to enjoy a weekend this summer.

How to Create Your Own Analog Bag

The Takeaway

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Is analog a big lifestyle shift?

Answer: It doesn’t have to be. It’s a way to make small, practical swaps throughout your day, to replace time spent on digital devices.

Question: Why have analog activities become popular?

Answer: These activities work because they’re easy to reach for, don’t require screens, and give your attention somewhere calm to land.

Question: How do analog activities help people reduce screen time?

Answer: They help you slow down just enough to break the habit of reaching for your phone in spare moments. Instead of consuming endlessly, you’re doing something tangible, focused, and often calming.