What is an Analog Bag? Filling Bags with Non-Digital Items to Replace Scrolling: A New Lifestyle Trend for the Young Generation
The 'analog bag' trend is taking off among millennials and Gen Z in the West. By carrying non-digital items like journals and books, young people are attempting to reclaim their time from smartphones.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 21:18
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 21:31 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 14:13 (112h 41m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA) Millennials and Gen Z in Europe and America have recently set off an "analog bag" trend, attempting to regain control of their time in a life hijacked by smartphones. An analog bag refers to a bag filled with non-digital items such as journals, watercolors, knitting supplies, or books, allowing people to maintain an offline status for extended periods. It is also known as an "offline bag."
According to an NPR report, to some, the analog bag is not new. Parents have long prepared similar items to keep children occupied on trips; however, for a generation that grew up in the internet age, deliberately preparing a bag dedicated to offline entertainment symbolizes a distinct shift in lifestyle.
The term was coined by 31-year-old California content creator Sierra Campbell. She first introduced the concept on social media in 2025 and said in a video: "My biggest fear is lying on my deathbed regretting spending too much time on my phone." The idea aims to disconnect from the internet but ironically went viral on social media, with many shooting videos to share their analog bag contents.
According to a report by The Guardian, Campbell uses a canvas tote bag, but analog bags come in various forms—it can be a woven basket used while lounging on the sofa, or a backpack for long trips.
The contents of the bag may also change over time. For example, Campbell packed crossword puzzles, a crochet hook, and a Polaroid camera in her January analog bag; in April, she packed a planner, a flower pressing kit, and various craft and leisure items.
David Sax, author of "The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter," praised the trend. He pointed out: "Telling everyone to sit cross-legged and meditate to reach Zen is impractical for most people. Our phones can provide almost everything, so we need a readily available alternative to fill that void."
This trend may be a backlash against "doomscrolling" culture and the pressure of being constantly online. According to Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, British adults check their phones an average of once every 12 minutes.
The analog bag also echoes the revival of analog technologies like vinyl records, physical magazines, and point-and-shoot cameras. At the same time, physical face-to-face activities—including pottery classes, crochet communities, and even dinner parties—often referred to as "healing hobbies," are gradually on the rise.
Pete Etchells, a professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa University and author of "Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time," believes that rather than being addicted to phones, people have simply formed a habit of using them.
Etchells said: "We actually have a choice and control over how we spend our time. If we are dissatisfied with how we use phones or social media, it's great to see people starting to think about alternative options and how to make those options more accessible." (Editor: Wang Chia-yu) 1150414
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(CNA) Millennials and Gen Z in Europe and America have recently set off an "analog bag" trend, attempting to regain control of their time in a life hijacked by smartphones. An analog bag refers to a bag filled with non-digital items such as journals, watercolors, knitting supplies, or books, allowing people to maintain an offline status for extended periods. It is also known as an "offline bag."
According to an NPR report, to some, the analog bag is not new. Parents have long prepared similar items to keep children occupied on trips; however, for a generation that grew up in the internet age, deliberately preparing a bag dedicated to offline entertainment symbolizes a distinct shift in lifestyle.
The term was coined by 31-year-old California content creator Sierra Campbell. She first introduced the concept on social media in 2025 and said in a video: "My biggest fear is lying on my deathbed regretting spending too much time on my phone." The idea aims to disconnect from the internet but ironically went viral on social media, with many shooting videos to share their analog bag contents.
According to a report by The Guardian, Campbell uses a canvas tote bag, but analog bags come in various forms—it can be a woven basket used while lounging on the sofa, or a backpack for long trips.
The contents of the bag may also change over time. For example, Campbell packed crossword puzzles, a crochet hook, and a Polaroid camera in her January analog bag; in April, she packed a planner, a flower pressing kit, and various craft and leisure items.
David Sax, author of "The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter," praised the trend. He pointed out: "Telling everyone to sit cross-legged and meditate to reach Zen is impractical for most people. Our phones can provide almost everything, so we need a readily available alternative to fill that void."
This trend may be a backlash against "doomscrolling" culture and the pressure of being constantly online. According to Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, British adults check their phones an average of once every 12 minutes.
The analog bag also echoes the revival of analog technologies like vinyl records, physical magazines, and point-and-shoot cameras. At the same time, physical face-to-face activities—including pottery classes, crochet communities, and even dinner parties—often referred to as "healing hobbies," are gradually on the rise.
Pete Etchells, a professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa University and author of "Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time," believes that rather than being addicted to phones, people have simply formed a habit of using them.
Etchells said: "We actually have a choice and control over how we spend our time. If we are dissatisfied with how we use phones or social media, it's great to see people starting to think about alternative options and how to make those options more accessible." (Editor: Wang Chia-yu) 1150414
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship from you is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.