Understanding Attention

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The concept of "analog hobbies" continues to gain traction. Here is how you can get started exploring them.

Being open-minded about activities that cultivate attention can help you identify an analog hobby.

By not rigidly defining the concept, we can be creative in starting an analog hobby.

Recently, I wrote about the new trend of “analog” hobbies that seems to be a response to the fast-paced, scroll-dependent world in which we currently live. Little did I know how much interest that article would generate—it’s been viewed more than 10,000 times, I have received many responses about it, and I have even recorded a podcast interview on the topic, with the general sentiment being that no only does the concept resonate with many individuals, but also many are either actively engaging in an analog hobby, or seriously considering taking one up. It made sense to me, then, to write a companion piece that delves into how one might start an analog hobby in such a digitized, automated world.

Think about what slows you down

My immediate thought when I first heard of this analog trend was of my considerable vinyl record collection, which is most certainly an analog in an age of digital, streaming music. I thought about what had gotten me started in wanting to hear my music in such a format. And I think, more than anything else, it was because the vinyl format lends itself to slowing down and hearing the music. In fact, you risk damage to the record if you become impatient and skip to the next song, as this requires you to physically lift the turntable’s needle and strategically place it back down on the next groove in the record. Surely, many a vinyl album has been scratched as the result of wanting to get to the next song. And that is the whole point—in an analog hobby, it is about what you are doing in the here and now, not about what comes next. The digital experience is quite different; take music streaming as an example: A simple finger tap gets you immediately to the next song. Little commitment or attention is required.

So, a good starting point in identifying and developing an analog hobby is to consider what slows you down. Where in your life are you feeling rushed, inattentive, and prone to distraction? For a music lover to recognize that he is actually rushing himself through a prized activity is a sign to slow down and, in my case, to explore a different medium for the music I love. For you, this could be anything from switching from journaling on your tablet to a notebook or doing a physical crossword puzzle rather than one on your phone. The idea is to locate areas in your life where the rush and distraction are detracting from the actual experience. Give it some thought; you might be surprised at what you discover, and it might be the starting point for considering an analog activity.

Start small…but start

There can be a temptation to scrap an unhelpful activity and undertake a process of completely revamping it, from start to finish. But this is not always reasonable or possible. I, for instance, still listen to music on my phone; I still stream music and use my devices as delivery platforms. But when I can, I like to throw on a vinyl record for the reasons I mentioned previously. If I am around a record shop, I will probably go in and browse, if not purchase an album.

So, the point is that going analog need not be an all-or-nothing proposition. You don’t have to start big, and you don’t have to attempt to undertake something unrealistic. Maybe it’s buying that first crocheting kit at the craft store or doing that first journal entry with pen and paper—whatever it is, it can be the start of bringing a little bit of analog into your life. Analog hobbies also need not be prohibitively expensive; while vinyl records can be pricey, I find joy in simply browsing a record shop even if I don’t make a purchase. I have a client who recently rediscovered reading physical books rather than e-books, and she shared with me how she has reconnected with the experience of going to her local public library—sometimes, analog hobbies are completely free.

Don’t rigidly define it

The idea of analog hobbies is a trend, not a rigidly defined concept, and this is important to bear in mind as you consider how to integrate one into your busy life. An analog hobby can be anything that keeps you from losing yourself and your time in activities like device scrolling or, as it is sometimes termed, “doomscrolling.” Anything that returns you to a place of focus, attention, and presence may be seen as an analog hobby. If you resist the urge to define them rigidly, analog hobbies can take the form that you give them, and you can be completely open to the exploration of a new hobby or activity that is not tech-reliant.

OK, so maybe this analog idea sounds good to you, but you are thinking, “What can I actually do?” You may be surprised to discover that there are more of these types of activities at your fingertips than you may have been aware of. An Amazon search for “analog hobbies” returns nine pages of results, including everything from DIY wooden flowers to whittling to Sudoku, adult coloring books, and calligraphy. Do a Google search of analog hobbies, and a whopping 18 pages of results will come back. Bottom line: As this trend is gaining more momentum, there is more and more information about how to engage with it and ideas for how to practice it.

Understanding Attention

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Remember, the idea is to combat the surrounding chaos of the world by engaging in activities that slow us down and that require our undivided attention. By starting an analog practice, you are giving yourself the gift of healthy distraction and of presence and attention to an activity despite the surrounding stimulus and noise. Be open to activities that do not require a device and consider the myriad benefits of engaging in something that exists outside of the ever-more-intrusive digital world.

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