Between racing bikes and sourdough bread: analogue alternatives to doomscrolling
This article was originally published in German. The English version is an automatic translation and may contain errors. The German original is authoritative.
Road cycling, baking sourdough bread and young people meeting outdoors to paint canvases – increasingly, people seem to be returning to analogue hobbies and experiences to escape the information overload of the digital world. But what alternatives to mobile phones are there again?
Scroll. Scroll. Scroll. Amongst the numerous TikToks I've consumed in the last hour, I keep seeing content like: "This is how I reduced my far too high screen time…" or "THIS is what I do instead of being on my phone." The irony that I'm watching these videos on my phone sticks with me. At the same time, it makes sense: where else should this content reach me?
Reaching for your phone has long become an automatic step in everyday life and thanks to digitalisation, we can share our experiences at lightning speed with our friends or indeed with half the world. Yet it has long been known that constant mobile phone use and high screen times increase the risk of chronic stress. The information overload overwhelms our brain, and there are simply no moments in which we consciously take breaks.
And yet: what researchers have been preaching for years now seems to be slowly seeping through to consumers. Our body needs time out from availability and online presence. Analogue experiences help here to actively feel life again. The goal: an end to endless doomscrolling and an attention span of 7 seconds and straight into real life.
BUT WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO, WHEN YOU'RE NOT ON YOUR PHONE?
A few prominent examples like road cycling and baking sourdough bread have already established themselves in pop culture. The saying goes: when you turn 25, you either decide on one of these hobbies or suddenly find yourself training for a half marathon. But don't worry, there are other options:
THE CREATIVE EXPERIENCE:
Drawing, creating collages or painting are classics for art enthusiasts. If the blank canvas intimidates you, however, you might enjoy "paint by numbers". These don't have to be the fairy and animal motifs from childhood, but pictures you'd actually want to hang in your room. In the meantime, providers have discovered the potential in modern colouring books for young adults and a quick internet search will find numerous offers.
Crochet and knitting have also made a comeback in recent years. With a bit of practice, you can create real one-of-a-kind pieces like jumpers, blankets and much more.
THE PEACEFUL EXPERIENCE:
For anyone who just wants peace and quiet from all the hustle and bustle outside, nothing beats a good book. Alternatively: buy a magazine again and browse through it (Pinterest boards can also be created analogously on a piece of paper). Puzzles also relax and, similar to "paint by numbers", you'll find modern motifs here too. If you're craving a bit of brain exercise and want to learn useful words at the same time, you can get a crossword puzzle booklet for just a few euros (or simply solve the Gen Z crossword in this issue).
THE SOCIAL EXPERIENCE:
If offline experiences alone seem too boring, you can share them with your friends, e.g. with a round of "Werewolf" or "Cities, Countries, Rivers". To prove your general knowledge in front of your friends, a night at a pub quiz also helps, or you can solve a mysterious crime together with the murderer at the same table (murder mystery dinner). But it's also simpler and cheaper with a simple round of UNO or Kniffel on the next meadow or park bench.
THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE:
Instead of sourdough bread, you could work through an old recipe book or organise a cocktail evening with friends. Sometimes a new supermarket is enough to find inspiration.
THE SPORTING EXPERIENCE:
In addition to the numerous running clubs, there's the good old table tennis table to play a round of table tennis, or sports clubs (such as university sports) that offer beginner courses in tennis, dance, basketball etc. – so why not try a new sport? If you prefer to keep it uncomplicated, you can also hop on your bike and explore a previously unknown part of town or go for a walk in your own area.
FURTHER IDEAS …
… pottery, sewing, laying mosaics, making chains, playing (learning) chess, journalling, PowerPoint evenings with friends, going to the theatre, writing, learning a new instrument, hiking, visiting a museum or gallery …
ANALOGUE HOBBIES AND EXPERIENCES ACT LIKE OASES OF CALM IN DIGITAL EVERYDAY LIFE,
where you can recover from constant availability. But: they don't necessarily exclude digital offerings, because podcasts or films and series can also be relaxing – if you enjoy them consciously. Digital and analogue experiences can also be combined, for example when you paint a mandala with your favourite podcast in your ear.
In the end, it's not about being online as little as possible, but about finding the balance. So: why not try an analogue hobby today?