As the New Year arrived, my friends and I made the same resolution we’ve had for the past few years: to become less dependent on our phones. It’s an extremely popular sentiment among young people, as the effects of social media addiction – especially now that it’s part of so many people’s jobs – become increasingly apparent. Anti-social media apps and devices have grown in popularity for this very reason, from Brick to One Sec and Freedom. There is a real hunger, even desperation, to no longer be a slave to our devices; to be present with friends and family; to stop using our phones to hide from uncomfortable feelings; to feel it all.

It all came to a head this year, when young people declared 2026 as the year of analogue. “The biggest trend of this year is going to be going analogue”, content creator Rosie Oko declared. “People are redefining their relationships with technology and social media, as the generation who grew up mostly online slowly realises that they don’t own anything. Instead, we have countless subscriptions for movies, music and other virtual media. All of this, along with the fact the internet is getting more divisive, means that we are going to see people moving towards more analogue hobbies: think CD players, cinema trips and iPods.” 

Rosie was right. Throughout January, hundreds of young people began sharing their analogue journeys: the ways they are working to reduce their screen time, watch less TV, coexist with their boredom and hang out more with friends and family. But as we are now halfway through 2026, have these young people stuck to the analogue lifestyle? Has it changed them, or is it just too hard to live without instant gratification? 

Below, we spoke to 3 amateur Luddites about their year (so far) of going analogue.

SHAUGHNESSY, 26

“My main reason for going analogue is that when I was in school, I loved learning. I loved being in an engaged environment, and when I finished school, I started to feel mushy-brained. Along with the rise of AI, I was really unhappy watching the way technology is going. 

“One of the first things I did when I decided to change my relationship with technology was cancel all my streaming services [Spotify, Netflix, Disney+], which felt great because I don’t agree with the politics behind the people who own them. There was a really cool TikTok a friend sent me a couple of months ago that was like ‘I’m a vegetarian plus bacon’, and I just thought that was awesome because it made me realise I could be analogue in a way that suited me best. I can make good changes, live an analogue life, and still like to watch and engage with things like Love Island. I actually think it’s so unhealthy to have an all-or-nothing mindset.

“Going analogue is difficult for a variety of reasons. Through posting on TikTok, I’ve had so many opportunities and spoken with so many different media platforms, but I rarely post on the app now because I don’t want to sit on TikTok all the time. What an oxymoron it is for me to sit on my soapbox and preach about why this is good for people, when, in order to do that, I need to do the exact opposite of what I’m preaching. Taking a step back from the platform also means I’m not building on the app. But it’s worth it. I feel so much less stressed than I did before. Now my average daily screen time is 18 minutes.” 

DAIS, 23

“I started my Becoming Analogue series on TikTok in January, and I am still analogue in some ways and not in others. I find that when I’m really busy, it’s so easy not to scroll or check socials, but on days when I’m freer, I reach for my phone. I recently got a Brick, which helps me to be more present. 

“I started this journey because I found myself wasting time scrolling. I’d go onto TikTok for a few minutes, I’d look up, and half an hour had passed. I realised that this is my actual life that I’m allowing to pass by. I create content online and also work in social media, so my actual jobs were based here, but during my downtime, I knew I had to make a change.  

“This transition has been hard but really worth it. I’m not anti-social media by any means. I think when it’s great, it really is great, but for me personally, I can’t have it dictating my life anymore. It was so hard to get off the platforms at first, but now I feel better. I still create content, and I’d argue that I’m ‘chronically online’, but rather than being on social media for four hours a day, I’m now on there for 30 minutes, including my editing and posting time. Becoming analogue was exactly what I needed.” 

BRIANNA, 22

“I went analogue in March and for me, it was less about just limiting my screen time. My goal was to live more intentionally and make life as full as possible. For example, I’ve dedicated more of my time to the book club that I host, going out to a theatre to watch a movie with friends rather than at home, taking pottery classes and spending lots of time in the studio to nurture my creative side, and playing board games with friends. My mindset about intentional living has only strengthened since the start of my journey.

“The easiest and hardest parts of going analogue go hand in hand for me. As a homebody, sometimes it can take loads of mental effort to peel myself off my couch and enjoy life outside of my home. The hardest part of this journey is overcoming these daunting mental obstacles. The easiest part comes after I step out of my front door. Life is fun, and sometimes, honestly, I forget that. I often get caught in a routine of staying in and turning down plans when I let my unadventurous and unsociable thoughts get the better of me. But when I conquer them, I always have way more fun than I imagined. 

“Embracing an analogue and intentional living mindset has been so incredibly rewarding. I’ve been able to enjoy new experiences, make new friends, and feel more alive, and I’ve also used my phone less because I’m just too busy living life nowadays.”