Less Screens, More Life

Why More People Are Choosing Analog Habits in a Digital-First World

Going back to analog life isn’t about rejecting technology altogether: It’s about choosing when to unplug. In a world designed to keep us constantly connected, analog habits offer a refreshing pause. They bring back moments of focus, presence, and intention that often get lost in endless notifications and scrolling. By reintroducing simple, low-tech ways of doing everyday things, we slow our pace and reconnect with ourselves and others. The result isn’t less convenience, but more meaning in how we spend our time.

Putting pen to paper slows your thoughts in a way typing never does. Handwriting forces you to be deliberate, making grocery lists, journals, and to-do notes feel more intentional. Many people find that they remember things better when they physically write them, because the brain engages differently when writing than it does with screens.

Beyond memory, handwritten notes create a personal archive of your life. Smudges, crossed-out words, and margin doodles capture moments exactly as they happened. Years later, flipping through an old notebook feels more intimate than scrolling through a notes app ever could.

Relying on physical media involves choosing what you listen to, rather than letting an algorithm make the decision for you. Whether it’s vinyl records, cassette tapes, or even CDs, the act of selecting music becomes part of the experience. You commit to an album and listen all the way through, not just to one track.

This kind of listening encourages patience and deeper appreciation. Instead of skipping after 15 seconds, you give songs time to grow on you. Music becomes a ritual rather than background noise, something you actively sit down and enjoy.

Physical books offer a sensory experience that screens can’t replicate. The weight of the book, the texture of the pages, and even the smell of paper all contribute to the act of reading. Without notifications or pop-ups, it’s easier to stay immersed in the story.

There’s also a sense of progress that comes from seeing a bookmark move forward. Finished books become visible accomplishments on a shelf, serving as reminders of ideas and worlds you’ve explored rather than files buried in a digital library.

A paper calendar makes time feel tangible again. Writing down appointments and plans helps you visualize your weeks and months more clearly. You can see busy periods at a glance without needing to toggle between apps or views.

Crossing off completed days or events brings a quiet satisfaction. It also encourages realistic scheduling, since you can physically see when you’re overbooking yourself instead of relying on endless digital space.

Reading a paper map or relying on written directions reconnects you with your surroundings. Instead of following turn-by-turn instructions, you learn to understand the layout of a place and notice landmarks along the way.

This approach can make travel feel more adventurous. Getting slightly lost often leads to unexpected discoveries, turning routine trips into small explorations rather than optimized routes from point A to point B.

Film photography encourages thoughtfulness. With a limited number of exposures, each photo matters more, and you pause before pressing the shutter. This often results in more meaningful images rather than dozens of forgettable shots.

Waiting for the film to be developed adds anticipation. When you finally see the photos, they feel like moments recovered from the past rather than instant content meant for immediate sharing.

Multitasking, while time-efficient, can make us disconnected from the task at hand. Washing dishes without a podcast, cooking without checking messages, or walking without earbuds allows your mind to settle into the moment.

These quiet stretches can be surprisingly restorative. Without constant stimulation, your thoughts have room to wander, problem-solve, or simply rest, creating mental space that’s rare in a screen-filled day.

Board games and puzzles bring people together in a shared physical space. There’s no screen dividing attention, only conversation, laughter, and friendly competition around a table.

They also teach patience and cooperation. Unlike fast-paced digital games, analog games unfold slowly, encouraging strategy, discussion, and genuine connection with others.

Ticket stubs, postcards, pressed flowers, and printed photos tell personal stories. These small objects become memory anchors, instantly transporting you back to a specific time and place.

Unlike digital files, physical mementos are discovered accidentally. Finding one tucked into a drawer or book can spark nostalgia in a way a curated digital album rarely does.

Analog evenings might mean dimmer lights, quiet music, or simply sitting without a screen. These slower nights help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

Over time, this rhythm can improve sleep and overall well-being. By ending the day without endless scrolling, you create space for reflection, conversation, or rest, simple habits that make life feel fuller and more grounded.

What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't

Image: Alicja Gancarz

Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

Image: Element5 Digital

Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

Image: Thom Holmes

This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

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The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

Image: Bud Helisson

Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

Image: Amir Balam

This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

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We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

Image: Tirza van Dijk

Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

Image: Aneta Voborilova

Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

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Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Image: Brooke Lark

There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!