Why I’m Not Doing an ‘Analogue Year’, and What I’m Choosing Instead
This might be a slightly unpopular opinion, but I’ll be honest… I’m already feeling a bit bored of the word analogue. I’ve shared before that I don’t usually jump straight into trends. Sometimes they can be fun, and I love adding my own gentle twist, but when everyone starts doing the same thing, the online world can quickly feel crowded - and it starts to feel overwhelming thinking that you’ve got do to something a particular way because that’s what everyone else is doing.
And sometimes a word just gets used so much that it starts to lose its meaning, and that’s kind of how I’m feeling about the word analogue. It’s not that I’m against it at all, as I’m all in for bringing more calm and joy into our days, particularly offscreen, it’s just one of those moments where I notice myself naturally stepping back and choosing a slightly different path. One that I feel is much more sustainable in the long-run and not just for a year!
Perhaps you’re feeling the same way, too? Or maybe you’re looking for a more gentler balance - making space for the things you love while still showing up online, but in a way that feels good.
Here’s what Google says about the analogue year trend:
“2026 is emerging as the ‘year of analogue,’ a trend driven by digital fatigue, especially among Gen Z, which focuses on reducing screen time and embracing offline, tangible experiences.”
The thing is, being online plays such an important role in promoting, nurturing, and growing a small business. Connection, visibility, and consistency really do matter. I like to think of devices simply as tools - tools that support my business, rather than something to battle against. And I definitely think that when we start looking at them that way, our relationship with being online can soften and feel much healthier and positive too.
So here are some of the things I’m choosing instead (not just for one year but for year after year), allowing me to stay just as present online while doing it more gently, and still making space for the things that bring moments of calm and joy to my day.
I’m choosing gentle mornings and easing into my workday
I’m choosing slower mornings and allowing space before screens where I can. I take my time over breakfast, watching the birds and squirrels in the garden as the day begins. I also love to read a few pages of my book. My mornings have looked gentler for a long time now, especially since being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Not rushing straight into work changes the energy of my whole day and everything feels steadier and more calm.
I’m choosing a calmer, more aligned way to work
Little things make a big difference. Using a ready-made Canva template for my content keeps things wonderfully simple. I can tweak it slightly and move on, freeing up time and energy for other parts of my business (and life).
I also love repurposing content across platforms. A journal entry on Substack can easily become a few social posts, and sometimes the other way around. It takes the pressure off constantly creating something new. We have so much lovely content that’s just waiting to be shared (or reshared).
I believe marketing can feel supportive and nourishing, not just for our businesses, but for us too.
I’m choosing to make space for what brings me joy
Making space for small pockets of calm throughout my day has become really important to me. I love reading, heading out for a short walk, making a hot drink, or simply pausing to reflect and write in my journal.
I’ve been gently weaving more of these moments into my days, and I’ve noticed how much they support my creativity. When I give myself that space, my work feels clearer, lighter, and more inspired.
I’m choosing to be intentional about what I consume
I’ve become much more intentional about the videos, content and media I let into my world, and I’m choosing what feels calm, inspiring and joyful instead. I’m also stepping away from mindless scrolling. I don’t want to stop consuming content altogether, but I am more selective now. I want what I take in to support me, not drain me.
After all, the online world (through my devices) is what so beautifully connects me to others. And I want that connection to feel nourishing, while still being very much present in the online space myself.
I’m choosing to weave slow living into my small business
This is something I’ve actually been doing for quite a long time now. You can read more about how slow living inspired my business here.
For me, it’s about being intentional with how I want to spend my days - setting boundaries, doing what feels right for my mind and body, knowing when to rest, and saying no to what doesn’t feel good. It’s choosing a way of working that works best for me and one that feels so much more aligned.
It means letting my business grow at a pace that feels sustainable, rather than rushing or forcing things. A slower approach doesn’t mean doing less, it simply means creating space for things to feel gentle, calm and nourishing.
The truth is, there isn’t one way to do this. Some people may love the idea of going fully analogue, and others may prefer a more digital approach. So while I won’t be stepping away from my devices anytime soon, I will continue choosing a slower, more intentional way of working alongside them.
Are you embracing the analogue trend, or finding your own gentler balance between online and offline life?
If you love slowing down, finding beauty in the small things, and living gently with the seasons, I think you might feel right at home in my little corner of Substack. Over on my Journal on Soulful Reflections, a nurturing and nourishing extension of Clementine Rose, I share calm and reflective posts that invite us to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what really matters. Each week, I share one of four series - Seasonal Musings, Simple Joys & Inspirations, The Gentle Business Journal, and Slow Notes. I’d love for you to join me!