I’ve posted a couple of videos showing my Analog Bag, which is what I take with me from room to room, on trips, and in my car to stay off my phone and add the fanciful 10%.
It was created after I read the book, “The Power of Habit”, which basically says you need to replace a habit with something similar in order to have success changing one. My habits with my phone were about 6-7 hours a day and I was haunted each night by the years that would accumulate to of wasted time.
Instead of grabbing your phone you essentially have a small bag full of alternatives that help you grab for something else and stop doom scrolling. The videos are #1 Here, and #2 Here.
Recently I was asked for the links to everything in mine and as I always try + deliver what my community asks for! Here ya go!
A Crossword! Great group activity or solo activity. Conversation dwindles? Let’s see who knows the 6 letter word for non-digital.
A Sudoku! Great for our brains + easy to pick up/put down.
Knitting. This is my most sure way to occupy my hands when I reach for my phone. Plus I’m 1/2 way to a baby sweater!
Polaroid Camera. LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN YOUR CAR when you’re out and about. You don’t need the 16,000 photos in your camera roll. Bring an analog camera so you can capture the moment while not letting your notifications distract you.
Water Colors. The use I’ve gotten out of this little kit is wild. We paint shells at the beach, rocks at the river, and paper on our deck. You fill these little brushes with water so you can leave the cup at home and paint on the go.
A Planner. 1/2 the time we grab our phone it’s for a productive reason. But then we get swept up in texts, social media, emails and the like. If I have my planner I can have an idea or something that needs to get done, write it in a list or a date, and put the planner away. The one I linked is from Papier and it’s the BEST one by FAR I’ve ever used. Spaces for goals, daily life, and random thoughts.
Needle Point. This one gives you a finished product in a reasonable amount of time. The one I linked is SUCH a cute brand and has options from beginner to expert.
Seaweed Press and Flower press. Every time I’m on a hike or at the beach everyone is on their phone. We are so addicted to dopamine hit's nature isn’t even exempt from being run over by screen time. Hunt the beach for seaweed, or press some clovers so your mind has a goal and your hands have a job to occupy them.
A BOOK! DUH!!!!!!!!
Deck of cards. Card games are also great for our minds and community. Solitaire if you’re by yourself and 99 if you’re with friends. Great for an activity that isn’t just talking when you’re at a function.
Stationary! I recently got a pen pal and getting into bed with a letter to read and respond to is SO FUN and keeps me off my devices. Pick a friend who lives far away and start writing them. This stationary is so cute and a small business!
Journal. Another great habit to build and also paired with sketching pencils to practice your blind contour drawing.
Scrapbook kit! Make it with a glue stick, sissors, handmade journal (tiktok tutorial), and then start gathering cute postcards, stickers, etc. and they’ll have a home in your little pouch.
Modeling clay. For those of us who need something to squish in our hands while we watch a movie or listen to a lecture.
Here’s a full amazon list with some extras if you want some more ideas!
Here is a full list of what changed my screen time, this video is my first mention of analog bag and it’s been a wildly successful tool for me!
Would love to know what you’d add!
Xo, go live your fullest life. Unplugged.
Siece
I have the Himi gouache paints, they are stunningly vibrant! Thank you for all the awesome ideas, I just remembered I have an Erin Condren sketch a day book that will be going in my bag now.