At one point, it felt like every part of our lives was just another notification. Even our slow-living routines depended on apps and screens.
Journaling apps, meditation apps, even reminders to drink water… they’re all helpful, but after a while, it felt like a device was supervising our whole day.
That’s when we started putting a few non-digital items into a small bag before leaving the house. It wasn’t anything fancy. It was just a simple way to step back from the constant pull of our phones.
Over time, this little bag became something we turn to when our minds feel busy or when we want a moment that feels like our own again.
This is our analog bag, and it’s quietly become one of our most helpful tools for living more slowly.
What an Analog Bag Is
An analog bag is a small bag filled with hands-on, screen-free items that help you step away from digital noise. It’s not against technology.
It’s just something to reach for when your mind needs a break, but you don’t have the time or energy for a full unplugged day.
There’s no single right way to make one. The main thing is to keep it simple and fill it with things that feel comforting, grounding, or spark creativity.
Why Having an Analog Bag Matters
Here are a few reasons why having an analog bag can be helpful.
It helps your nervous system slow down.
When your whole day is spent on screens, even rest can feel like more input. The analog bag gives you a real pause.
Paper, yarn, pencils, and other textures give your mind a different rhythm. It gives you one where you set the pace rather than react to everything around you.
It offers a simple reset when life feels overwhelming.
We grab ours on travel days, during long waits, or on evenings when the internet feels too crowded. It’s a quiet option that asks nothing of you.
There’s no pressure to perform, improve, or track progress. It’s just a small shift that lets your mind settle.
It supports creativity without any judgment.
There’s something freeing about making something no one else will ever see.
A journal page, a few rows of knitting, or a half-colored page in a coloring book can feel surprisingly soothing in a world that expects everything to be shared or optimized.
It doesn’t need any upkeep.
There are no updates, batteries, or subscriptions, and nothing breaks if you forget about it for a while. It’s always ready when you are.
What We Keep in Our Analog Bag
Wondering what’s in our analog bag? Here’s what we keep inside.
A journal
This is where we jot down ideas, small moments from the day, things we want to remember, or thoughts that feel heavy until we write them out. Writing by hand slows things down in a way no app ever could.
You can check out our recommendations for self-care journals.
A knitting kit
Knitting has become one of our favorite ways to calm our minds. The repetition is soothing, and it gives us something to do with our hands when we want to be present without scrolling.
We love these Pet Portrait Punch Needle kits.
An adult coloring book
This is our low-pressure way to be creative. There’s no right way to do it, and no need to finish anything. Some days, we spend just ten minutes on it.
Other days, it sits untouched. It’s there for when our minds need something gentle.
My (Shannon) favorite is this swear word coloring book! It’s a great way to chill out and get a little giggle!
Pens and markers we actually like
Good pens matter more than most people admit. If your tools feel good, you’ll actually use them. We keep a small pouch so everything stays together.
Sometimes we add a small book or a crossword puzzle, depending on the season and what we’re interested in at the moment.
We also love these coloring pencils, which are soothing to use.
When We Reach for Our Analog Bag
We pull ours out during slow mornings, on road trips, ferry rides, in airport lounges, while waiting at appointments, and on evenings when we want to rest but can’t handle more screen time.
It’s become one of those small things that support our routines without needing to be perfect or used every day.
A Quieter Option Worth Keeping Close
The analog bag is simple, and that’s exactly why it works. It gives you something real to reach for when you want a small break from the swirl of digital life.
It encourages presence without pressure and creativity without performance. Most importantly, it reminds us that not everything needs to be optimized or shared. Some things can stay just for us.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
An analog bag is used as a screen-free option when you want a break from digital noise. It gives you simple, tactile things to reach for, like a journal or a small craft, so you don’t default to your phone during downtime.
You can fill an analog bag with anything that feels calming or creative. Many people include a small journal, pens, knitting or crochet supplies, a book, a coloring book, or stationery. The goal is to keep it lightweight and easy to carry.
Yes. An analog bag works well on flights, long drives, ferry rides, or any kind of travel day when you want a break from screens. It gives you something grounding to do that does not rely on WiFi or battery life.
