Analog Living: What Changed When I Started Living More Offline
Two weeks have passed since I officially started my offline journey. My constant scrolling was affecting my focus, my creativity and my mental health. I was tired of feeling disappointed in myself for wasting my limited, precious time on things that were harming me - especially when I knew I was capable of so much more with the time I had.
When I started, I was so focused on what I wanted to remove that I never stopped to consider what I might gain. I’ve lived alongside technology for so long that I’d genuinely forgotten what I was like without it. So when I sat down to reflect this weekend, I was surprised by how much this way of living has already added to my life in such a short amount of time.
These are some of the changes I’ve noticed so far. I share them in the hope that they will encourage you to start, or continue, your own offline journey 🤗.
I got back in touch with my own thoughts
Authenticity is a value I hold very highly. One of the most beautiful things about being human is that no two of us share the same experiences, which means our thoughts, ideas, opinions, and perspectives are completely unique to us.
When we spend so much of our time consuming other people’s thoughts, we unintentionally deprive the world of our own. Our minds need space to wander to reconnect with what we actually think and feel, relative to our lifetime of experience.
I work hard to share my perspectives honestly, but I won’t pretend there haven’t been moments where I’ve deprioritised my own ideas in favour of what’s trending or topical. Spending more time offline has given me clarity and confidence and allowed me to fully explore my own thoughts without constant influence.
The urge to check my phone has lessened
At my worst, I couldn’t even go ten minutes without picking up my phone. I’d unknowingly tied the habit to every small routine: waiting for the kettle to boil, finishing making the bed, stirring my pasta…checking my phone became a reward for everything.
The first few days offline were definitely weird, and I felt like something was missing. But that conditioning faded quickly, and instead of scrolling while waiting for my pasta to cook, I read a few pages from my book, drank some water or stared out of the window in peace.
Now, there’s only a few moments in the day when I feel the urge to check my phone. And when I do, it’s intentional, brief, and for a purpose.
Normal life feels easier
For a long time, everyday tasks felt disproportionately difficult. Unloading the dishwasher, hanging up the washing, cooking dinner - they all felt like achievements that required a reward.
Some of this is how my brain is wired, but I’m also realising how much scrolling contributed to it. When several hours of the day disappear into a phone, the remaining time feels scarce. Tasks start to feel intrusive, like they’re stealing my precious free time.
Once I spent less time on my phone, I saw how little time these tasks actually take, and they felt lighter and easier. I also procrastinated less, which meant those tasks stopped taking up so much mental space before they even began.
I felt less distracted
As long as I can remember, my brain has always moved quickly. Over time, I’ve learned to appreciate my little curious and chaotic mind 😅 - but sometimes it feels overwhelming. There’s so much to explore and learn - but when that meets real-life responsibilities, it starts to feel like I’m drowning in ideas and things I should be doing. Being online amplified this feeling. Our attention is finite, and when a whole world of knowledge and opportunity is available in our pockets, choosing where to place that attention becomes exhausting.
The result is distraction. We try to give our attention to everything, but end up giving our full attention to nothing.
But when I put my phone away and sit with just a pen and paper, everything feels smaller - in a good way. My brain feels calmer. Instead of bouncing between ideas, I can follow a thought through to the end. I don’t feel the need to mentally hold onto everything at once; what comes to me in that moment becomes my focus. This way of living feels calmer and far more peaceful.
My days have more variety
Before, my days all blended together. Wake up, work, cook, clean, scroll. Everything felt the same.
Have you ever noticed how years filled with change and new experiences seem longer in hindsight? When days lack variation and novelty, they all just merge into one.
Replacing scrolling with offline activities - hobbies, new recipes, new books, new experiences - has made each day feel different. My mindset has shifted from “what do I need to get through today?” to “what could I learn or experience today?”. I actually look forward to my free time now, however small it may be.
Offline hobbies get easier once you start
Starting is always the hardest part. Learning something new requires effort, and when energy is low, it’s tempting to avoid the struggle. For example, for a long time I wanted to learn how to crochet, but I knew it would be difficult, and so in the evenings qwhen I had little free time and limited energy, I really didn’t feel like sitting and struggling for two hours with a crochet hook and some yarn. But I made the initial sacrifice one day, and now crocheting brings only peace and joy. It’s a hobby I come back to exactly when I have little free time and limited energy. Progress creates momentum, and that sense of satisfaction will keep pulling you back to your project, rather than your phone.
I have more ideas than ever!
I don’t know about you, but I never feel more passionate about an idea than when it comes from my own mind. Because it’s mine, I want to share it, defend it, preach it and illustrate it! I think that passion comes through naturally in my conversations and content.
But I never feel that same conviction when I’m just following trends or building on someone else’s ideas.
My point is that you don’t need social media to feel inspired. Just trust yourself! Let boredom do its job. When your brain is given the chance to pause, it starts making connections. You’ll begin to notice how much inspiration already exists around you - and how creative you actually are when you are not constantly filling every quiet moment with input.
Time feels slower - in the best way
Can we all agree that scrolling just makes time disappear? 😅 Twenty minutes on your phone feels like five minutes - and it’s no wonder why. Time flies when you’re constantly stimulated…
When so much of your day is lost in scrolling, the idea of cooking three meals, working, keeping the house clean, finishing a book, exercising, crafting and journaling sounds like all too much (and maybe on some days it is!). But once you start spending less time online, you’ll find that you can achieve so much more with your days than you thought.
My perception of time has changed, and it feels like I’ve gained an extra day in my week.
The beginning is the hardest part
I promise, the initial discomfort, boredom, and restlessness don’t last. Over time, the constant need for stimulation fades away. Already, I’ve learnt how to sit peacefully without input. Books have become enjoyable again, rather than feeling like a slog. Writing feels easy, my focus is better. As stimulation decreases, small joys start to feel more meaningful.
I’m still at the beginning of this journey, and I know there will be more lessons, more resistance, and more adjustments ahead. But even now, I can feel the difference.
For now, I wanted to share these in the hope that they encourage you to try this for yourself and experience some of the quiet, beautiful gifts that living more offline has brought into my life.
