When I first read today’s article, it resonated immediately.
I knew that I had to share it as my “Best Of The Month” guest post.
The article put into words the thoughts I’ve been having, but hadn’t found a way to explain. I suspect, as you read Marian’s words, many of you will feel the same. As Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, we’re the last generations born in an Analog world. It’s gone Digital. We (fortunately) knew what Analog felt like in our childhoods. It raises a question:
Is there value in seeking more “Analog” in our “Digital Lives?”
If so, how do we do it?
No one answers that question better than The Retired Alchemist in today’s guest post (the original article is here). A special thanks to Marian for allowing me to share it with you today. If you’ve not yet “discovered” her writing, check her out here. She’s worth following, and I read everything she writes.
Prepare to be challenged.
How can we stay grounded in an increasingly Digital World? Today, The Retired Alchemist shares what she's doing. Share on X
Living An Analog Life
In this age of speed, instant answers, and quick snippets of information, I long for slower.
A pot of soup simmering on the stove all day instead of dinner that arrived in a paper bag at my doorstep. I want to hold a real book in my hands. Turn the pages with anticipation. Opening it up where the flowered bookmark (a gift from my mom) holds my place. Or even a haphazard receipt slipped in between the pages. I want to live more of an analog life. One where I experience life with my five senses instead of just observing it on a screen.
I don’t know about you, but I have spent the vast majority of my adult life in a hurry. I would rush through my morning coffee to get to work. Then I would rush home from work to, well, get home and relax. But there wasn’t much relaxing because there was dinner to start, a load of wash to run, dishes to wash, lunch to pack and clothes to set out for work the next day. The cycle just went up a hundred decibels once we had children. With four boys, I was always hustling someone back and forth to practice, school or play dates. That load or two of wash a week turned into ten. Life became a series of hurry to get to the next thing that needed to be done.
Then the digital world came along, and it just added fuel to the hurry fire. We could get information instantly. At first, it was just an innocuous big, clunky box with sketchy internet. That evolved to better, smaller systems to now having everything at our fingertips. We tend to experience life through a few quick taps on a screen instead of being present to a real, slower, tactile life.
Now, after so many years of rushing through life, it takes conscious effort to slow down. But that is exactly what I am trying to do in retirement. Not so much that I rust, just a more conscious approach to life. Being more aware and alive. Experience more analog moments that help me savor the small details and be fully present. Less digital living and more White Space on the pages of my life.
What happened to time expanse?
After years of rushing, pushing, and pulling through life, I lost my sense of time expanse. I forgot what it felt like to read a book during the day, have an extra cup of coffee, and breathe in the view, or notice the cloud formations. I think that is why many retirees have a hard time relaxing into retirement. We feel like we should be using our time productively because we needed to for so many years. It is hard to turn off the productivity switch. But when you do…. oh it is wonderful. And you realize, THIS is what life is supposed to be like. And I want more of it. I want to live more of an analog life.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the convenience of the digital world. Many marriages have been saved by Google Maps. Mr. U and I had our fair share of arguments as I poured over a Rand McNally map trying to translate directions. And I definitely could not live without my Kindle. Now that we live closer to town, getting a pizza delivered to my door is a real treat. I am not purist, I just think the scale has tipped a little too far into the digital world and I want to counterbalance it. I want to live with more time expanse again.
Counterbalancing a digital world
As with most of life, there is a balance. Too much digital time leaves me feeling anxious and impatient. I feel rushed through life. I noticed that I have a much shorter attention span than I used to. It is still early to determine the long-term effects of too much screen time. However, studies are consistent in confirming that What Excessive Screen Time Does to the Adult Brain is not good for our health. So, I am trying to counterbalance the overconsumption of a digital world with a more raw, real, analog lifestyle.
It happens in small decisions:
Choosing The Slow Route. For starters, I rode my bike to the library, renewed my library card, and wandered through the stacks, pulling out several interesting books to glance through. It was hard to narrow it down to just two to take home. I chatted with the friendly librarian while I checked out my treasures. If you need a good book that draws you back into analog living, read Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. It is heartwarming and reminds you of the good in people.
Putting Pen To Paper. Most blog posts start with a scratch of a pen on paper as I jot down thoughts in my journal, rather than tapping on a glowing screen. Writing is a peaceful endeavor. For me, thinking is clarified through the process of writing it down. I was one of those students who had to physically take notes in class in order to help embed the material in my brain. Even back then, I instinctively knew I retained it better when I wrote it down. Now research is supporting that – Why Writing Things Down Makes You Smarter (The Science Explained).
Stop The Default. What do most of us do when we are standing in line at the grocery store, waiting at the doctor’s office, or, worse yet, sitting at a stop light? We grab our phones to entertain us mindlessly as we “kill time.” The average person checks their phone 205 times a day. I am trying to quit using my phone as an automatic default the minute I have some stagnate time. Instead, I observe life going on around me. Maybe strike up a conversation with the person behind me in line or offer a sincere compliment to the person sitting next to me. Does anyone else find it absurd that we can rub shoulders with a complete stranger on a plane for several hours and never even say “hello?”
Cooking From Scratch. I am cooking from scratch more, using fresh ingredients. Cooking engages all of the senses. The aromas that fill the kitchen as ingredients sizzle are comforting. The chopping and stirring are a meditative form of self-care. The mixing, rising, punching and pushing of bread dough keeps my hands busy while my mind daydreams. You can get inspired by a cooking show, but you can’t smell the aroma, stir the onions simmering or savor that first taste.
Leave the phone at home. I must be in nature to counteract the numbness of the digital world. Nature brings color, depth, dimension, and surprise. It brings refreshment, heals fractures in my brain often created from living in the digital world, and brings me back to what is real and matters. I take my phone when I am outdoors, but only to capture photos.
Living more intentionally
The digital world is an amazing convenience that makes life quicker and easier in so many ways. But sometimes I get too dependent on it, and forget how it feels to hold a book in my hands, to physically walk through a store and rub the fabric between my fingers, the anticipation of opening a colorful envelope with my name handwritten on the front, or smell the aroma of a fresh batch of cookies being pulled out of the oven. There is something grounding about hands-on experiences that digital life often bypasses.
It is not a “throw the baby out with the bathwater” kind of decision for me. It is not removing everything digital in my life. I use my computer, Kindle and phone every day. It is a matter of being more intentional about how and when I use it. And definitely not using it as a default when I have open time.
I am choosing just a little more of an analog life. This allows me to be more present in each moment, reduce digital fatigue, restore my soul, and foster deeper connections with people and nature. It also encourages mindfulness, creativity, and a sense of calm that often gets lost in our fast-paced, screen-filled lives. If this is for you, then join me in living a more analog life in a digital age.
Conclusion
Fritz here, weighing in with my thoughts on Marian’s post. I was pleased to see another blogger put into words the internal struggle I’ve been having, and I think the “Digital vs. Analog” life is a great way to frame it.
I love her practical steps to counteract the effects of a digital world, and I encourage you to try applying a few of them to your life. Don’t waste hours “doomscrolling” on your phone. Instead, intentionally seek out ways to put more “analog” in your life.
Like Marian, I find that my time in the woods is the best “hack” for disconnecting from the digital world. My wife and I have also started turning our phones off at 8 pm and reading (real, analog books) every night for 15 minutes before we turn out the lights. We’re both sleeping better as a result.
Your Turn: Are you seeking more “Analog” in your life? What tips have you found that others could benefit from? Let’s chat in the comments…
Read Theo of Golden on our periodic vacation in Northern Michigan. Really touching story. Highly recommend.
I followed Theo of Golden with Heartwood by Amity Gaige suggested by my local bookstore (The Eloquent Page-not the big box)
I am 68 and mostly retired ( I work on week a month )
We live in the woods on a lovely lake in Northern Vermont and my best day starts with the gym, a walk on a local nature trail followed by coffee and a good book. Going analog. . . I totally get it and embrace it. When I was growing up we had a black and white TV, (4 channels) rarely on. . . except for the moon landing, so reading was expected. Books open a world created by author which allows the reader to experience things out of the ordinary and exercise imagination, which is lost in the digital world.
Carl Sagan is quoted as saying ” Books break the shackles of time. A Book is proof that humans are capable of working magic. . .Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of different epochs.”
Thank you for this share. (Well I like all the posts)
Thanks Fritz. One big thing that helped me through the first few years of retirement so far (I’m 59 now) was getting rid of the word and accompanying feeling of ‘Should.’ After decades of constantly working at a demanding job I loved and with my wife, raising our two very sports involved daughters, I suddenly found myself retired with one daughter graduated and another in college. I went from 100 mph to 0. I felt I should be doing something to fill my time and felt guilty if I wasn’t working out, learning a language, trying to find something I should volunteer for, working out. But fortunately I found a couple articles in the WSJ, no less, and the NYT, about the value of appreciating doing nothing. I’m adding this post to that list. I found it doesn’t mean sit on the couch and ‘rust’ but rather appreciate the time choices you have, including that time staring at the woods through my window, walking trails and reading financial blogs because I love them. I love going to the gym and getting lunch after and a bunch doing a bunch of other things that I want to do, but all in time. For me, getting rid of the guilt that came with ‘should’ naturally led to a more analog and much more satisfying life. Most importantly it helped me redefine the concept of being productive. And now being productive is much more about appreciating my free time.
Sorry for the lack of proofreading. That’s one thing I really SHOULD do.
It’s an accurate article. A big thing I am consciously cutting back on is the number of newsletters and articles that come your way. Most are well written and of subjects I enjoy. But, just this morning while I was sleeping I received 5 newsletters, including this one. I am trying to reduce that but it is overwhelming. I’m probably missing something by cutting them out, but it’s practically a job just trying to keep up. We’ve already cut out all social media and televised news( really when you think bout it there’s no true value here). I look through two newspapers on my iPad, trying only to read headlines. I keep a book on kindle and a real book going at all times. And we try to just talk every night.
Sometimes the old days really were better, after you got home from walking uphill to school both ways in snowdrifts.😊❤️
As long as you don’t delete this newsletter subscription, it sounds like a great plan. 😉 I also subscribe to “too many” newsletters, then feel like I “have” to read all of them. I’m getting better at hitting “delete” if the topic doesn’t look particularly interesting that day.
Funny, I had that uphill walk both ways, too. Must be a generational thing…(do kids even walk to school anymore??)
My neighborhood has an elementary school nearby and I am glad to say I see kids walking and biking to school each day while I am out walking with friends. The first day of school they even had a “bike bus” of parents and younger siblings. I’m glad these families are putting this forward for their children and encouraging a local school to improve.
Hi Fritz.
I’ve noticed a large increase in vinyl album sales. Maybe it’s catching on?
Great point, GX$. Loving your pics from your European vacation, BTW (tho, gotta admit, looks like you were baking over there, a bit warmer than your PNW locale, right!?)
Way too hot. Rookie move to go in late August. 😄
There’s a time and place for the digital world…when I need to research a product I am seeking to purchase, or, gain insight(youtube, online suppliers) and instruction for a problem or a needed repair. Remember subscribing to all sorts of handyman/homeowner magazine subscriptions, and keeping years of articles on the bookshelf?
I find my personal peace by not subscribing to x, or I-gram, nor facebook…I call and write actual cards to people I know, love and respect… and sometimes use email or text(to let them know I’ll be calling…are you available?
My radio is local, and analog, as is my alarm clock and wall clock…There’s a truth to being welcomed home with the rhythm of a ticking clock.
I drive an older, reliable vehicle, I am not held hostage to 100 sensors, and a disco atmosphere in my ride.
The digital world will always be there, if you feel the need, it’s the cheap and easy way. I find more satisfaction and value in the realness of an analog world.
What – no disco atmosphere in your ride? Wow, you really are a Baby Boomer, aren’t you? 😉
Great comment. I agree there’s tremendous value in the Digital World, but there’s also value with a good old fashioned book. As in most things, balance is the key. Sounds like you have it about right (with the exception of that disco thing).
I really enjoyed this article. (you didn’t mention SWR once! Just teasing lol)
Thank you!
Stay
Well
Rested
There. Just proved you wrong. 😉
It was so exciting to have my article reposted on your well-respected blog Fritz. Thanks for sharing it. Like Jeff commented above, I have too many “shoulds” lingering in the back of my brain. I find that I really have to be intentional about what I choose to spend my time on or it slips away from me, even in retirement.
Cheers to the retirement years!
What a great article Marian! Getting rid of ‘should’ and redefining what ‘productivity’ means for me in retirement definitely made a huge difference.
No, thank YOU for writing the inspirational article, Marian. Love your work, happy to share it to some of my readers who may not be familiar with your work. We’re kindred spirits.
When I really want to detach and “go analog”, I hop on my motorcycle and go for a ride. I get fresh air and I get to focus on everything around me. It involves balance, strength, coordination and spatial awareness.
Good call. For me, it’s hiking or MTB in the woods. Same idea. Do whatever works for you, as long as you do something to remember those golden “Analog Years” of our youth!
Kudos to your newfound analog self. I think it would be difficult in today’s US society to be anything but digital while working and raising a family. We are practically compelled to curate our children’s experiences for their safety, their enjoyment, and to fulfill their potential. Our society is not built for doing that well – even for one child, much less four. Retirement and an empty nest provides the medium to reconnect, recharge, and restore. We did what we had to do. Now, we can choose.
“Now, we can choose.”
Great comment, Kurt. We worked hard to get that freedom of choice, now it’s up to each of us to use that freedom wisely. Thanks for stopping by.
Speaking of the Digital world, my comments disappeared on the first entry. So, I’ll keep it short this time.
I found it very therapeutic to use the creative side of my brain. I very recently took up wood burning. Much to learn, but I’m a pretty good at it. There’s an artistic side of me that has been dormant for quite a while.
Sorry about your technical issues, glad you reposted. We have a friend who is into wood burning, it’s AMAZING what you can do with it. And, I agree that exercising that artistic side of the brain is one of the true joys in retirement. Burn on…
Thanks for sharing! Well said. Great reminder. That’s why we’re called “human beings”, not “human doings”. Always take tome in your life to just “be”!
Great article. Every year our whole church participates in a month long “ digital detox”. Getting off our phones for anything not used as a productive utility( phone, business email etc). I found that by just moving my social media apps off my front screen to my last screen on my phone, I spend much less time “ doomscrolling “, and more time in my analog world. That’s not to say I don’t ever get on them anymore. But, after a month of detox, and them not readily available on that first screen, those apps are way down my list of things I want to do, and I have much more time spent doing activities that promote my health, or allow me to just slow down & relax.
Great idea, Jeff. A month is a serious commitment, I love the concept of that challenge and may have to try it myself (though, in fairness, it’s a bit harder avoiding the Social Media stuff when I have some responsibility of keeping my blog “out there….” Then again, is it really a responsibility, or just something I think I “should” do, but don’t really “have” to do. Hmmm….
Analog in a digital world is an interesting way to frame it, and think about it. The article does hit home and make you think about how the world has changed and become so high speed.
I’m turning 70 this year and I’ve been retired for 15 years, so I’m solidly in the baby boomer camp, along with my wife. Neither one of us has ever had any type of social media account, we just don’t see ourselves as that interesting. It’s unlikely that the world would want to read about us every morning, our lives are very average.
And to escape the fast paced world we go hiking everyday that life permits, generally 5 or 6 days a week for 4 or 5 hours. We always pack a lunch and a GPS because we nearly always get lost, no trails, just hiking.
One of our goals when we retired was to hike and kayak in every state before we were done. We’ve done them all except Alaska and Rhode Island and it’s been wonderful. Very analog I suppose!
Wait, wait, wait. You use a GPS during your analog walk? That’s cheating, 31. Still batting 1000 on my blog, though, so I’ll give you a pass. Amazing that you’ve hiked/kayaked in 48 states. Hearing that, you’ve definitely earned a pass on using that GPS. Thanks for your long-time loyalty to my blog. Noted and appreciated.
You are so right, that went right over my head, GPS for an analog walk… Very funny. Trust me, I’m not that good with a map and compass, a man has got to know his limitations!
The “time expanse” is the single biggest thing I’ve noted in my 14+ months of retirement so far. I spent so many years racing the clock/calendar as the author describes. It’s actually a bit of a challenge to de-program oneself from that.
For me it includes that “extra cup of coffee” before jumping into my day (indeed, I’’m on my last swallow as I read and respond to this). It also includes, since we moved to a new (to us) home closer to town, planning to walk to my Pilates studio or nail salon instead of mindlessly driving. It’s only a 15-20 minute walk, but I have to allot time to get there and back. I NEVER would have “wasted” time like that back in the day.
Since retiring, I’ve gotten a digital library card and use it constantly to get books for my Kindle. My eyes aren’t great, and it’s actually easier for me to read on a Kindle than hard copies. I read Theo of Golden on my Kindle!
I do like to cook, but I will say that the Instant Pot makes a fine batch of soup, stew, or chili, and I tend to do that rather than the “simmering on the stove” option—I’m a bit distractible and might let the soup burn!
Dana, the concept of “time expanse” was something that really resonated with me in the article, as well. Hope you didn’t choke on that last sip of coffee…you really shouldn’t multi-task with hot coffee in your hand. 😉
And…Instant Pot – best invention ever, right!? A Digital World development, but it just feels analog, and perfect for an easy way to cook that stew for dinner!
This was so timely. I have been thinking about ways to live a slower pace of life, which would include being in front of any kind of screen much less often. I officially retired but fell prey to “one more year” as a consultant to the same employer. December 31 is my end date. In preparation, my husband and I purchased a home in a small village in a rural area and plan to sell the big city house and move early next year. I’ll be able to garden, be in nature much more than I can now. I’m so excited to move to actual retirement and take the good suggestion to become more analog. Thanks for sharing this!
Glad to hear the timing was perfect for you. Your plan sounds wonderful, enjoy your final sprint to “The Starting Line!”
My first 12-16 months if retirement was all about unlearning need to be productive and learning how to ‘repose’. Then I started experimenting with a few hobbies, carefully making sure I still left plenty of ‘white space’ to do nothing, and keep time for reading and being in nature.
Except for a very old Facebook account- which I’d forgotten the password to and hadn’t accessed for many years until more recently to reconnect with old university friends overseas- I have purposefully not had any social media accounts. Yes, I am glued to WhatsApp, the messaging app of choice here in Europe, but no other personal social media. I just have no interest in it at all, it takes up too much precious time.
I meet friends in person, or chat on the phone, old- school style. And I love reading a few curated blogs each week that are much more interesting, like this one!
Glad to hear we made your list of “a few curated blogs!” And, good for you for resisting the pull of social media and having real conversations on the phone. Well done!
Thanks Fritz for the reality story. I’m 66 and have all the gadgets that actually own me. However, I am trying to revert back to the simplicity of my childhood. I remember waking up and smelling the coffee pot percolating that my mother put on the stove. Just last week I bought a coffee percolator and started using it instead of all the drip thru plastic items that coffee making has resorted to. My wife and i love the way it pours into the cup and the aroma hitting us in the face. Yes, the simple things are the best.
Great idea! My Mom had that same percolating pot (with the glass “bubble” on top?), she insisted on putting egg shells in with the coffee grounds. May have to buy one of those myself…
Glad I waited to read this one. The comments were better than the article!
That is the beauty of blogs. The comments add richness and depth to the conversation.
1. watch the movie “The Minimalist” It backs up what I’ve learned first hand during my working years: generally, the more stuff you have, the more time, effort, expense there is to maintaining it or storing it, recharging it, insuring it. Eg. Downsized to one car between my wife and I and we’re saving tons of everything I mentioned. How many people rent a storage unit and spend the rest of their lives essentially doing without all the things in it? How many people have a two car garage, but still can’t park any cars inside it because it has become their storage unit?
2. I have a retired friend who lives life like we did when we were little kids on Summer break from school: just pop in on a friend and make an impromptu plan to go to a local diner for coffee or grab some things and go to the beach or go for a walk & talk. The spontaneity gives me such a feeling of freedom.
3. When you go into the diner (yes, go in, no drive up window, no take out) try to strike up a conversation with the wait staff. Consider becoming a regular. Same with buying an item at a store – go to the brick & morter place, go in, seek out a staff person and ask their advice even if you don’t need it. Do this just to socialize, so no it’s not the time for complaining. I friend taught me this and everywhere he goes, the staff know him and greet him with a smile and he asks how things are with their kids and takes the time to listen. And, if he doesn’t buy anything, he explains: I just stopped in to see how you’re doing. Best to do these things at the least busy parts of their day. But, I get a good dose of social satisfaction just from a half to one minute chat
4. All the above works best when you live right in the heart of a walkable town. Go for the daily walk-about. When I retired, my wife and I moved to a condo in the central business district of a tiny little city and I could (and did) walk from one end to the other of downtown, stopping in stores and cafes and becoming more familiar to the locals than the mayor.
Great suggestions. It sounds like you are living an analog life in the heart of the city. Many retirees are moving into downtown areas for the very reasons you mentioned. Your #3 reminds me of when my mom would go into the bank and chat with the teller about her family, etc. We are usually rushing so much that we don’t take the time to do that anymore.
Oh how I love this article! I have tried to express to others how much I love time to just “be”, time to immerse myself in whatever interests me, and even – gasp! – ignoring time occasionally since retiring. It is one of the greatest joys of retirement, in fact. I struggled the first two years; I mean, I’m supposed to be productive, right? Contributing? Serving? But it is the first time in over 20 years that, as a single mom to three, the youngest less than 2 at the time of my divorce, that I actually remember not just rushing from work to task to crisis to dinner prep…. I LIVED that way. It was partially circumstances (there are things that simply must be taken care of and accomplished with children, a home, and a job) but also became a habitual mode of operation. I have gradually learned better balance. Now I marvel and so appreciate being able to stay longer at the pool, simply sit beside my grandson and watch as he plays, thinks, and solves toddler-sized problems, linger over lunch with a friend or a chat with a neighbor at the mailbox instead of giving an anonymous wave. God is good, and time to savor every little thing is pure joy.
Time just “being” has become more precious and appreciated as I age. Maybe because, like you, I didn’t have much time to even consider it earlier. Grandchildren are great at showing us how to slow down and appreciate the little details in life. It sounds like you have the balance figured out.
I don’t know where my TV remote is. No idea. I’d rather spend my time with music or a good book when I can get away from the laptop ( semi-retired ). I so get the analog world and crave much much more of it.
Craving more of it is a great description of how I feel. I don’t want to jump into life off the grid, but I could use a little more analong living. And we have waaaay too many remotes in our house right now. 😊
Great article — aligns to a fantastic book: Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by Comer.
Humans have resisted technological change from beginning of time. I get subtle hints of that here. Like many things in life, it is a balance. In this case you don’t want to be left behind. We are dealing with that in spades with my 92 yr old mother in law. We all have different bandwidths. Realize yours and find the balance that makes you happy. Simple as that.