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By Anna, Course Creator
Hi, I’m Anna.
I’m 23 years old, living in a small rented flat in Brooklyn, New York. Like most people my age, I grew up online. My first memories involve screens. By middle school I was on social media. At college I spent entire days moving between laptops, tablets and phones. I woke up with a screen and fell asleep with one.
For years I thought that was normal.
Then something strange happened.
I became tired.
Not physically tired—although there was some of that—but mentally tired. Constant notifications, endless scrolling, short videos, streaming platforms, podcasts, online news, group chats, emails and algorithms all competed for my attention every minute of the day.
I wasn’t alone.
Many people in my generation are beginning to feel the same way.
We’re the first generation raised entirely in the digital world, and increasingly we’re discovering that more technology doesn’t always mean a better life.
That’s why I created the Free Analog Revival Course.
This isn’t about rejecting technology or pretending it’s 1985 again. I still use the internet every day. I still work online. I still have a smartphone.
The goal is balance.
The goal is to rediscover activities that engage our minds in deeper, richer and more meaningful ways.
Why an Entire Generation Is Tired of Screens
Most of us consume more information in a single day than previous generations encountered in weeks.
Every app has been designed to capture attention. Social media companies compete for engagement. Streaming services automatically play the next episode. News websites generate endless headlines.
The result is a state of perpetual stimulation.
Many young adults report:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Poor sleep quality
- Reduced attention spans
- Increased anxiety
- Feelings of burnout
- Constant distraction
When I left college and moved into my own apartment, I realised something shocking.
I could spend six hours online and remember almost nothing about how I’d spent that time.
Days felt fast.
Weeks disappeared.
Months blurred together.
I wanted something different.
The Actual Science of Switching Off
Research increasingly suggests that periods of uninterrupted focus are essential for learning, creativity and emotional wellbeing.
When we constantly switch between tasks, messages and notifications, our brains pay a price.
Attention becomes fragmented.
Memory formation weakens.
Stress levels rise.
Activities such as reading a book, writing in a journal, completing a puzzle or listening to an entire album encourage a slower and more deliberate mental state.
Many students who join this course are surprised to discover how calming it feels simply to spend an hour away from screens.
The benefits often appear quickly.
People report improved concentration, better sleep and greater enjoyment of everyday experiences.
The Vinyl Revival
One of the most fascinating cultural trends of recent years has been the resurgence of vinyl records.
Objectively, streaming services are more convenient.
Yet millions of people are buying records.
Why?
Because vinyl transforms music into an experience.
You select an album.
You place it on the turntable.
You listen intentionally.
Instead of skipping endlessly through playlists, you engage with an artist’s work from beginning to end.
It encourages patience and appreciation.
The Quiet Return of DVDs
This surprises many students.
DVD sales are nowhere near their former heights, yet a growing number of people are building physical film collections.
Why?
Ownership.
Streaming libraries constantly change. Films disappear without warning.
A DVD remains yours.
No subscription.
No algorithm.
No internet connection required.
For many people, physical media provides a welcome sense of permanence in a rapidly changing digital world.
Books and the Slow Reading Movement
Reading a physical book requires a different type of attention.
Unlike social media, books don’t interrupt you.
There are no notifications.
No pop-ups.
No recommendations.
Just words, ideas and imagination.
The slow reading movement encourages readers to savour books rather than rush through them.
Many participants in this course find that reading for just twenty minutes each evening dramatically improves their focus.
Film Cameras and Printed Photographs
When every phone contains a camera capable of taking thousands of photographs, it might seem strange that film photography is returning.
Yet film offers something unique.
Every photograph matters.
There are no unlimited retakes.
No endless editing.
No instant upload.
The process encourages mindfulness and intentionality.
Printed photographs also possess a permanence that digital galleries often lack.
Journaling and Letter Writing
Few activities are more therapeutic than writing by hand.
Journaling slows thought.
It encourages reflection.
Many students begin the course sceptical about keeping a notebook and finish by making it part of their daily routine.
Letter writing offers similar benefits.
Receiving a handwritten letter feels personal in a way that emails rarely do.
Board Games and Real Hangouts
Digital communication is wonderful, but it cannot completely replace face-to-face interaction.
Board games have enjoyed a remarkable renaissance because they bring people together.
Friends gather around a table.
Conversations develop naturally.
Laughter emerges without a screen in sight.
The experience feels increasingly valuable in an age of digital isolation.
Dumbphones and Modern Tools for Unplugging
Some students choose to experiment with dumbphones.
Others simply disable notifications or create screen-free periods during the day.
This course explores practical strategies rather than extreme solutions.
The objective is not to abandon technology.
The objective is to control technology rather than allowing it to control you.
Building Your Own Analog Ritual
The final section of the course focuses on creating a personalised analog routine.
Your ritual might include:
- Morning journaling
- Evening reading
- Weekly letter writing
- Vinyl listening sessions
- Film photography walks
- Screen-free Sundays
There is no perfect formula.
The goal is simply to create moments of intentional living.
Because life moves quickly.
And sometimes the most radical thing a modern person can do is slow down.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by screens, distracted by endless notifications or exhausted by the digital world, this course was created for you.
I look forward to welcoming you to the Analog Revival.
— Anna
Brooklyn, New York
Course Instructor
