Most people will struggle to remember the last time they spent more than a couple of hours completely offline. In our hyper-connected daily lives, paying with a quick tap of your phone has become the standard and constant flicking between apps is almost an involuntary reflex. But the further we get into doom scroll spirals, the more the idea of completely switching off becomes a highly discussed topic. Across the world, people are trying to reset their attention spans and reconnect with something that feels a bit more real.

To see how far that could apply to creativity, we partnered with Polaroid to see what analogue life could look like for our community. Last year, we put a call out to find three Dazed Clubbers willing to log off completely for a few days and use the Polaroid to document the experience, eight shots at a time.

As Polaroid’s latest addition, the Polaroid Flip camera honours the brand's legacy of creating iconic square images that feel timeless and nostalgic. Practically, it also draws on decades of Polaroid design with a four-lens system that adjusts depending on distance, sonar autofocus, and a flash that holds its own when the light drops.

Based in London, Los Angeles and New York City respectively, winners Kaiden Ford, Raiya Kimble and Molly Johnson each took the Polaroid Flip camera on different journeys. For Kaiden, the free time opened them up in ways they had not experienced before, letting go of constant digital clutter and leaning into the idea that one shot is enough. Similarly, Raiya began to prioritise building more intentional connections, being more intentional about making plans, and drawing inspiration from the physical world around us. Meanwhile, Molly, in typical New York fashion, realised how much space there is in a day when you stop filling it, consequently finishing projects she had been putting off and paying closer attention to the moments that usually slip by.

Below, Kaiden, Molly and Raiya show us the final results and talk through what they took away from going analogue. 

KAIDEN FORD, LONDON, 28

How did your life feel different while you were offline?

Kaiden Ford: I realised how much time I was losing just trying to keep track of three phones, misplacing them at home or during gigs. Letting that go gave me back nearly three hours in my day. In that space, I found a new love for photography. Accepting that I only have one shot taught me to embrace the moment as it is.

Did you reconnect with anything?

Kaiden Ford: I discovered a new love for photography. I learnt to accept that I only have one shot, and whatever comes from it is the true moment. I had to choose quality over quantity; instead of 300,000 photos that I have sitting in my phone. 

What did you see that inspired you?

Kaiden Ford: I spent a weekend in Cheltenham with my queer family; smooches, reconnecting with nature and with ourselves. Slowing down, being present. Sitting in the bath with a friend always seems to spark the best creative ideas.

Did you work on anything?

Kaiden Ford: Being a queer artist, my creative mind is always planning the next project. Not working isn’t an option; it’s survival. My latest project is a new track with HAAi, which I probably shouldn’t be mentioning. It will be debuted live next month at the Royal Albert Hall. My intention with this song is to hold your hand.

What made you feel alive and present?

Kaiden Ford: I performed at Transmission, a trans fundraiser at Wembley Stadium and sharing the stage with my queer family was an indescribable rush. My heart felt full, overflowing with love. Surrounded by Romy, DJ Haai, and Sue Venners, it felt like more than a performance; it felt like home.

RAIYA KIMBLE, LOS ANGELES, 27

How did your life feel different while you were offline?

Raiya Kimble: Life offline felt so normal to me; the only things I didn’t anticipate were how connections had to be facilitated either by myself or the people I call my community. I did not know everything that was happening in their days, but that also gives us a special window for true connection. 

Did you reconnect with anything?

Raiya Kimble: I’ve reconnected with my love for the outdoors. It never really left, but I do feel like I’ve found a new appreciation for how beautiful the earth really is. We take inspiration from her knowingly or unknowingly. It’s easier to see if you take a second to see her. 

What brought you joy in the moment?

Raiya Kimble: Seeing the photos develop for me was definitely an alchemical experience. I didn’t know how some of the pictures were going to turn out until they were done, and most of them made me literally jump. I was so proud of myself and my friends for what we created. 

Did you work on anything?

Raiya Kimble: I was working on trying to find myself creatively. I'm a genetic scientist who loves fashion, and I also have a need for creative direction, so I see myself fulfilling that need more this year. 

What did you see that inspired you?

Raiya Kimble: There is inspiration everywhere. In the trees, in the music I listen to, the creatives I’m surrounded by, and by the earth naturally.

What made you feel alive and present?

Raiya Kimble: Stopping to appreciate and admire anything is giving that thing acknowledgement. And to me, that’s one of the highest forms of praise. A silent ‘I see you’ that can also be interpreted as warm love. I love to give and receive that feeling. An equal exchange that continues if you keep it going. 

MOLLY JOHNSON, NEW YORK CITY, 27

How did your life feel different while you were offline?

Molly Johnson: My mind was so clear. I didn’t overwhelm myself by taking in useless information.

Did you reconnect with anything?

Molly Johnson: Yes, a few projects that I was avoiding by doomscrolling instead of finishing. And I’ve gone through almost half a journal already of my ideas, thoughts and feelings in two weeks.

How did you begin your day?

Molly Johnson: As soon as I opened my eyes, I put on high-frequency subliminal videos (not joking). I meditated with them to think about what I wanted to do and feel that day. It altered my brain chemistry. I was doing that before, but then I’d get some scrolls in afterwards and ruin all the progress I had just made. 

What did you see that inspired you?

Molly Johnson: My friends and my simple, awesome life inspire me. Also, day-to-day things and experiences, how to see the beauty in all of them, and just annoyingly finding a way to appreciate every moment and chore. You could easily go weeks without noticing. I adore reality. I’ll never experience living in New York in my twenties again. Life changes, I don’t know what will change, so I have to absorb this right now.

Did you work on anything?

Molly Johnson: I finished designing my planner, which I was trying to finish for 6 months. Turns out I could finish it in a week, when I was not distracting myself or comparing myself to other people online. I taught myself a lot of my favourite songs’ bass lines, and I redecorated my room. There’s actually a lot of time in each day if you allow it.

What made you feel alive and present?

Molly Johnson: Seeing how fast moments can pass you by if you’re not trying to see the beauty in it… corny, sure. You see a beautiful moment, then BAM, it’s gone. You cannot take a picture of it or recreate the feeling of it, and you have to be looking up to see it. Internally, though, paying attention to my own breathing makes me feel alive. Each breath is training your nervous system to be calm or panicked, so breathe wisely lol.

Check out the images from all three creatives in the gallery above.