I Tried an “Analog Bag,” and Here’s What Nobody Tells You About the Trend

Between setting screen time limits and leaving my phone on “Do Not Disturb” all day, it seems like everyone I know is attempting to break up with their phones. I’m not proud of how often I reach for mine purely out of habit, but somehow, there’s always another Instagram Reel to watch, text to send, or story to like. Doomscrolling has basically become my go-to pastime. It certainly does not make me feel good, but it’s a tough habit to break.

When I first heard about the “analog bag” trend — on my TikTok feed, ironically — I was immediately intrigued. It sounded simple and almost adorable, it was so old-fashioned, but it also seemed like it could actually help. Rather than relying on my waning willpower to spend less time on my phone, I could replace the urge with other activities. So, I decided to make my own analog bag to see if it actually reduced my scrolling and made me feel any better.

An analog bag is a bag full of screen-free activities. The idea is to pack a tote full of phone-free, hands-on hobbies to take with you wherever you go (or use while you’re hanging out at home!). That way, when your first instinct is to reach for your phone you have something else to do — something more productive, engaging, and fun! 

The concept has been gaining popularity recently, likely fueled by people’s collective desire to get off their phones. Google searches for “analog hobbies” are up 1,300% over the past month as of January 30, 2026.  Almost all my friends and family resent their phone or at least want to feel more present and less attached to their screens. Even efforts to physically make apps on your phone harder to access, like the Brick phone app, have become popular. A lot of people are clearly craving a more intentional relationship with their devices. The analog bag trend is a creative effort to step away from your phone because it doesn’t just ask you not to scroll — it offers an alternative. 

The best part is that there are no strict rules. All you really need is a bag to carry (bonus points if it’s a cute tote!), plus a few travel-friendly hobbies or activities. Everyone’s analog bag is different, and it can be as minimal or as extra as you want. 

Think of this as an offline starter pack! If you want to make your own analog bag, here are a few easy and fun ideas to get started.

• Magazines
• Books: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, you name it!
• Journals: for brain dumps, guided entries, gratitude lists
• Puzzles: Sudoku, crosswords, word searches, etc.
• A deck of cards or a travel-size game
• A travel paint set
• Collaging or scrapbooking supplies
• Needlepoint or embroidery
• Your latest crochet or knitting project
• A coloring book or sketchbook
• Air-dry clay
• Bracelet making supplies: thread, beads, or elastics!
• A digital or film camera

At first, this idea felt almost too simple. Like, “Okay … just put some random stuff in a bag and head to a café?” I wasn’t exactly sure how that would stop me from going on my phone once I got there, but I soon realized my phone isn’t the problem on its own. The real issue was my boredom. Generally, scrolling is a reflex when I don’t have something else to do, even though it can make me feel overstimulated and anxious — and lately, I’ve felt it eroding my attention span. The analog bag is meant to be enticing enough to distract from the impulse to grab your phone.

Though I think an analog bag could be a great way to try new hobbies, when I put mine together I didn’t want to try a bunch of new things — I wanted to let myself indulge in what I already enjoy, so I didn’t feel like I was forcing myself to do anything. The first thing I added was my journal, which I use for brain dumps, self-reflection, collaging, making lists, doodling, and more. I made sure to throw in my favorite pen, too, because it makes me even more excited to get writing. 

I’ve also been really into magazines lately, so I put a physical copy of Harper’s BAZAAR in my bag! As much as I love a Substack essay or article from one of my favorite websites, nothing beats the format and visual elements of a magazine spread. This magazine was perfect for reading, but I included scissors and a glue stick so I could use it to collage in my journal once I was done with it. Then I threw in my current book, Phantom of the Opera, as I’ve been trying to read more classics. 

After that, I added my digital camera. I already have a habit of scrolling through old photos on my phone, so using my digi instead felt like it would make the experience more mindful — and encourage me to take new photos while I’m at it. Finally, I included my travel-size watercolor set. It’s just a small palette of colors and a set of brushes. All I need is some water to activate the paint, and I can use my journal to make whatever art I want.

The biggest test was actually bringing the bag out with me and using it. I have a habit of bringing my laptop everywhere I go because I have this constant need to feel “productive”… whatever that means. The first few times I used my analog bag, I also brought my laptop. I know the whole idea is to get away from screens, but it was hard to part with and it still felt better than using my phone. I also like scrolling Pinterest on my laptop, which can be really inspiring. But after a few tries, I finally left my laptop behind. That made it so much easier to do more hands-on things.

I found myself reaching for my journal the most. Especially in the morning at a coffee shop while I was eating breakfast, my brain felt clear and ready to journal. It was always nice to dump all my thoughts on paper so I could then relax and create. After that, I’d usually reach for my magazine. Most of the time I was just reading and skimming through the photos. I found myself less drawn to collaging, mostly because it takes up more space and is something I prefer to do in private.

Though I was worried it might be, the analog bag wasn’t awkward to carry around at all. I felt inspired to hit the town with it on my shoulder. It helped me romanticize a simple trip to get coffee, enjoy those little moments more, and create art in places I wouldn’t normally think to. 

My bag full of hobbies also inspired me to slow down. Rather than sitting down at a café for max 20 minutes while I scrolled on my phone (and left feeling no better than when I walked in), I found myself spending one to two hours sitting with my thoughts, engaging in my art, or just enjoying the moment. I was doing something intentional with my time instead of reaching for my phone — and my mind feels so much lighter for it.