It is a flow of choosing an analog lifestyle, such as writing handwritten letters, reading print books, and listening to music on records, putting down mobile phone screens.
According to a survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by TALKER Research at the request of the online bookstore Thrift Books, Gen Z (63%) and Millennials (57%) are more active in offline activities than other generations. In particular, 54% of Gen Z respondents and 43% of Millennials answered that they set a time of day when they do not look at the screen intentionally, surpassing Gen X (33%) and baby boomers (22%).
The main reasons for moving away from digital devices were productivity improvement (42%), spending more time with loved ones (33%), and being able to better grasp daily life (36%).
On the other hand, when they realize that they are looking at the screen for too long, they feel overwhelmed (25 percent), anxiety (22 percent), irritation (18 percent), and dissatisfaction with their lives (19 percent). Respondents said that 70 percent of their online time leads to a sense of disconnection and loneliness rather than connection on average.
More than 84% of American respondents said they are already incorporating an analog lifestyle into their daily lives. This means that there is a growing tendency to minimize the use of digital tools and prefer a slower and more practical way of life.
The most common analog habits were writing notes (32%), reading printed books (31%), using paper calendars (28%), games accompanied by physical activities such as board games and puzzles (27%), and using alarm clocks (27%). Other answers included handwriting (23%), using paper planners (20%), wearing wristwatches (17%), watching records and CDs (17%), and using dedicated cameras instead of mobile phones (12%).
Sixty-six percent of the respondents said they are living a “slow life” that puts more emphasis on quality than speed in the new year. Generation Z (71%) and Millennials (70%) are taking the lead in such lifestyle changes. They chose reading (32%) when they want to take a break from online, time spent with family and friends (51%), hobbies they can experience (31%) and outdoor activities (41%) as their main alternatives.
“People are more aware of the value of offline time than ever,” the report said. “What is interesting is that we are replacing this time with healthy habits such as reading.”
In fact, Pinterest picked “Penpal” as one of the major trends of Generation Z in 2026. Analysts say that handwritten letters, including cute stamps, decorated envelopes and wax stamps, are being re-examined as a means of creative expression. According to Pinterest, one in four users of Generation MZ have begun to rewrite handwritten letters, and in particular, Generation Z in Singapore is four times more likely to send and receive long letters than the global average.
Pinterest defines 2026 as “blatant chaos” and interprets that the era of constant pursuit of viral content is coming to an end. According to the annual outlook report, young users are moving toward preferring a smooth and laid-back experience.
The three cultural factors influencing this year’s trend were emotional comfort, intentional curation, and realistic optimism. This means that the younger generation is more likely to focus on the design, style and daily routine that suits them rather than wandering around for negative news on the platform.
“Generation Z suffers from excessive schedules and always thinks about more efficient ways to use time,” said Vivek Iyani, founder of content marketing company Millennial Mines. “Those who are tired of life long for simple lives in the past that they have never actually experienced and are rediscovering analog values.”
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
