As we enter 2026, a growing number of social media influencers are making a surprising declaration: they're done with the digital world. Instead, they're embracing an analog lifestyle that prioritizes tangible, offline experiences over constant connectivity.

What this really means is a rejection of the hyper-curated, algorithm-driven existence that has defined social media for the past decade. Influencers like Selly Tan, Rosie Okatcha, and Sanchi Oswal are vowing to step away from the endless scroll, put down their smartphones, and reconnect with the physical world around them.

The Appeal of 'Going Analog'

The bigger picture here is that this trend reflects a growing disillusionment, especially among younger generations, with the digital status quo. As Noa Nichol reports in Vancouver Magazine, many twenty-somethings feel a sense of "exhaustion" with the always-on nature of modern technology.

"I remember getting a flip phone in middle school," says Jillian Petersen, a Vancouver-based hair stylist. "By the end of middle school everyone had an iPhone, then Facebook and Instagram. It changed the way we interacted with each other so much—in some ways that were kind of gross."

The appeal of "going analog," then, is about reclaiming control over one's time and attention. It's about trading mindless scrolling for more deliberate, hands-on activities like painting, journaling, and even old-school hobbies like swing dancing. As I Have A PC argues, this shift represents a strategic "power move" against the attention-sucking forces of the digital world.

A Generational Shift

Interestingly, this analog trend is being driven primarily by younger demographics - Gen Z and younger millennials who have never known a world without smartphones and social media. For them, the appeal of analog isn't just nostalgia, but a necessary response to the mental and emotional toll of digital overload.

As the LA Times reports, this shift is also partly a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many people to spend even more time isolated and glued to their screens. The "analog lifestyle" offers a way to reclaim a sense of presence and authenticity that was lost during that period.

Ultimately, what this trend signals is a broader reckoning with the role of technology in our lives. Influencers may be leading the charge, but the appeal of "going analog" is resonating across demographics as people seek to regain control over their attention and their experiences. It's a powerful statement in an increasingly digital world.