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witchpoetdreamerApparently analogue is currently a trend now? On one hand: yes, good, decentralize your life from the apps. On the other: no, stop buying stuff to be offline, stop showing how much offline you are on the very apps that you are working to be away from!
I'm sure I'll either be speaking to people who already know that or just the void, but as someone who hasn't been on the main apps (Facebook, Insta, Tiktok) for like... wow, since 2017 I think??? (with a blip on Insta for a while, and just never been on tiktok), here are what you need to do to be analogue without buying anything (or with limited means):
1 - Get a library card. Free subscription for instant access to free books, movies, music, video games (some places also offer video game consoles), AN ACTUAL MOVIE SUBSCRIPTION APP FOR FREE (Kanopy), language learning (no need to be bullied by Duolingo anymore), free access to ebooks and audiobooks through the Libby app, and there's more that I've never used yet but I know others have!
2 - Get paper. You have it somewhere in your house. Printer paper, old notebooks halfway used. If printer paper, fold a few pages in two and make it into a small notebook if you prefer that format. Then, find a working pen or a pencil. I know you have one laying around too. Done. Now you can write, draw, create origami, etc. (For a low budget, you can get those from the dollar store real easy too if you want the thrill of getting something new)
3 - If you want to try any form of art, ask people around you if they have anything to start you with. If you don't know anyone, I guarantee you there are some IRL groups around that would be happy to get you started with the basics. And if not, turn to thrift stores and dollar stores to start something with a minimal budget and making sure you actually enjoy it first before investing more.
Remember: one hobby at a time. Give yourself time to discover if you like it or not before moving onto the next (and don't get discouraged if the hobby is harder than you anticipated either, allow yourself to finish your project before giving up).
4 - Your smartphone can actually be your friend. You don't *need* to get rid of your smartphone to decentralize yourself of the apps. First of, once the social media and subscriptions apps are deleted, you're going to download an MP3 player app (I personally use Pulsar) and Libby. Then, you're going to make sure your phone cannot show you notifications until a certain time a day (do not disturb between X and Y). You don't have to do that if you don't want to, but if you don't, you can also just deactivate notifications for certain apps and even people. Then, you're going to turn your phone to grey scale. No need for additional launchers. No need for special apps to keep you out of other apps. Knowing how your phone can work for you is really important. And, for the more tech savvy out there, you can even install Linux on your phones instead of having Android, don't be afraid to google how. I know it doesn't work on every phones but it's a good alternative to work with what you already have.
5 - Oh, and lastly, that analogue bag that that one influencer claims to have invented? Just use whatever tote bag you already got when following other trends. You know the one. You don't need to buy another one. Use what you have. And *don't* show it on social medias just to show how good at analogue you are by how much crap you own.
Those are my main advice to not fall into yet another consumption trend rather than do something that will really help you get to the real goal: reclaiming your own time with things that truly makes you happy.
I'm sure I'll either be speaking to people who already know that or just the void, but as someone who hasn't been on the main apps (Facebook, Insta, Tiktok) for like... wow, since 2017 I think??? (with a blip on Insta for a while, and just never been on tiktok), here are what you need to do to be analogue without buying anything (or with limited means):
1 - Get a library card. Free subscription for instant access to free books, movies, music, video games (some places also offer video game consoles), AN ACTUAL MOVIE SUBSCRIPTION APP FOR FREE (Kanopy), language learning (no need to be bullied by Duolingo anymore), free access to ebooks and audiobooks through the Libby app, and there's more that I've never used yet but I know others have!
2 - Get paper. You have it somewhere in your house. Printer paper, old notebooks halfway used. If printer paper, fold a few pages in two and make it into a small notebook if you prefer that format. Then, find a working pen or a pencil. I know you have one laying around too. Done. Now you can write, draw, create origami, etc. (For a low budget, you can get those from the dollar store real easy too if you want the thrill of getting something new)
3 - If you want to try any form of art, ask people around you if they have anything to start you with. If you don't know anyone, I guarantee you there are some IRL groups around that would be happy to get you started with the basics. And if not, turn to thrift stores and dollar stores to start something with a minimal budget and making sure you actually enjoy it first before investing more.
Remember: one hobby at a time. Give yourself time to discover if you like it or not before moving onto the next (and don't get discouraged if the hobby is harder than you anticipated either, allow yourself to finish your project before giving up).
4 - Your smartphone can actually be your friend. You don't *need* to get rid of your smartphone to decentralize yourself of the apps. First of, once the social media and subscriptions apps are deleted, you're going to download an MP3 player app (I personally use Pulsar) and Libby. Then, you're going to make sure your phone cannot show you notifications until a certain time a day (do not disturb between X and Y). You don't have to do that if you don't want to, but if you don't, you can also just deactivate notifications for certain apps and even people. Then, you're going to turn your phone to grey scale. No need for additional launchers. No need for special apps to keep you out of other apps. Knowing how your phone can work for you is really important. And, for the more tech savvy out there, you can even install Linux on your phones instead of having Android, don't be afraid to google how. I know it doesn't work on every phones but it's a good alternative to work with what you already have.
5 - Oh, and lastly, that analogue bag that that one influencer claims to have invented? Just use whatever tote bag you already got when following other trends. You know the one. You don't need to buy another one. Use what you have. And *don't* show it on social medias just to show how good at analogue you are by how much crap you own.
Those are my main advice to not fall into yet another consumption trend rather than do something that will really help you get to the real goal: reclaiming your own time with things that truly makes you happy.
