The Joy of Analog: Life Before Screens

Do you ever long for, or wonder about, the way life used to feel? Let’s jump into the joy of analog!

Before the constant pings, the endless scroll, the glow of a screen always pulling you away… There was a time when things moved slower, on purpose. When letters took days to arrive but carried more emotion than a hundred texts. When we picked up the phone and truly talked. And when music played on vinyl, so you actually sat still to listen.That, my friend, was the beauty and joy of analog, and oh, how groovy it was.

Before our world turned into one big digital blur, life had rhythm. It felt more like a soul song than a pop chart hit. So it was slower, yes, but in the best possible way. It gave us room to breathe, to feel, to connect, and most of all… To actually be in the moment.

Turns out, we’re not the only ones feeling the analog ache—this article perfectly sums up what people truly miss about life before the internet.

And really there’s something oh so magical about the joy of analog—letters, records, film cameras, and that feeling of being present. So let’s take a little trip back in time, no time machine needed. Just your imagination, some cozy vibes, and a big ol’ dose of analog magic.

Speaking of trips back in time, check out How to Bring 60s & 70s Vibes into Your Daily Life for groovy tips on living the analog dream even today.

The Joy of Analog: Bringing It Back into Your Life

There was something beautifully simple about how we used to stay in touch. You’d find a quiet moment, settle in with a pen and paper, no rush, no distractions. Maybe a warm drink nearby, a rotary phone resting on the table, music humming softly in the background. You’d take your time with every word, letting your heart guide the pen. Because a letter wasn’t just a note, it was a way of saying, “I’m thinking of you.”

And when one landed in your own mailbox? Messy handwriting, words that were carefully chosen, your name written on the envelope with love… What a magical feeling that was! That was the true joy of analog! Whether it came from a best friend, a lover, or your grandma, it didn’t matter. It was a piece of someone’s heart, sent across time and space. And it felt like a treasure.

Phone calls? You had to be brave and call someone’s house, hope they answered, and maybe even chat with their mum first. And don’t even get me started on memorising phone numbers! Your best friend’s number lived in your brain like a sacred code. You’d say things like, “I’ll meet you at 3 by the fountain,” and actually trust it would happen. No GPS, no check-ins, just presence, honesty, and showing up when you said you would. It wasn’t just communication, it was real connection.

That kind of soulful connection was at the heart of the hippie movement too—explore what that era was really about in What Being a Hippie Was Really About – And Why It Still Matters.

The Joy of Analog Sound: Vinyls, Mixtapes & Soul

Music wasn’t just played, it was experienced. Dropping the needle on a record, hearing that gentle crackle before the first note, that was the magic moment. You didn’t scroll or shuffle. You sat with it. And the music? It wrapped around you like incense smoke, slow and steady. You listened, felt, and let it move through you. Every album told a story. Every B-side was a hidden gem. You knew the tracklist by heart, not just the words, but how each song made you feel. It was like having a personal soundtrack to your soul.

And mixtapes? Oh, mixtapes were everything. Making one wasn’t just throwing songs together, it was a whole ritual. You’d plan it out, choosing each track with care. You’d sit by the radio, finger hovering over the “record” button, waiting for the perfect moment. You timed it just right, scribbled the tracklist with love, and decorated the cover with doodles, stars and hearts. Sometimes it was for a friend and sometimes for someone you secretly loved. Sometimes it was just for you. A way to hold onto a feeling. It was a language of the heart. A slow, beautiful way of saying, “This is how I feel. This is what I can’t put into words.”

Spotify could never…

And if you’re a fellow music lover, don’t miss Beatlemania: The Craze That Took Over the World—a look at how one band turned vinyl records into worldwide rebellion, joy, and magic.

Photos You Had to Wait For

Do you remember, or could you imagine, taking a photo and not knowing how it turned out until days later? You’d wait until the whole roll was used up. Then came the excitement of dropping it off at the local shop, crossing your fingers that just one would come out perfect. And when you picked them up? That little paper envelope felt like a treasure chest. The joy of flipping through fresh prints, some blurry, some accidental, some filled with red eyes or crooked smiles, and yet… every single one told a real story. You didn’t delete and you didn’t edit. You captured a moment, not a performance.

Polaroids? Even better. You’d snap, shake, and watch the image slowly appear like magic before your eyes. It wasn’t perfect. That was the point. No filters. No retakes. Just life as it happened. Raw, funny, honest, beautiful. We captured real life. It was never about being flawless. It was about feeling something. Just like the fashion of the time, photography was a form of self-expression. Bold, imperfect, personal. And in a world where individuality was celebrated, perfection didn’t matter.

TV, Board Games & Slow Entertainment

TV wasn’t background noise, it was an event.

Families gathered around one screen, at the same time, for the same show. There were commercials. Cliffhangers. Weekly schedules. You had to wait to see what happened next. And that wait? It made the moment sweeter. Because when that theme song played, and everyone settled into the couch… it felt special. You weren’t just watching, you were sharing something.

There was a rhythm to it. A kind of ritual. You made popcorn on the stove, adjusted the antenna. You called out to your siblings, “It’s starting!” And when that show came on? You were all there together. In the same room, feeling the same thing.

And when the TV flickered off? That’s when the real magic happened. We talked. Played board games. Made up stories out of thin air. We sat cross-legged on shag rugs, rolled around laughing in the living room and stayed up past bedtime just being together.

I remember sneaking out of bed just to sit on the stairs and soak in the magic as my parents laughed with friends late into the night. The clink of glasses, the hum of musicin the background, the sound of real, unfiltered conversations floating through the house. I didn’t understand everything, but it felt warm. It felt like life. And I loved every moment of it!

Entertainment wasn’t fast. It wasn’t endless. But it was real. It was full of connection. Full of presence. Full of love. Because back then, joy wasn’t always found on a screen, it was found in each other.

The Joy of Analog: Bringing It Back into Your Life

Now, I’m not saying throw your phone in the ocean (unless it’s really annoying you). But what if we brought just a little analog back into our lives? Because in a world full of screens, the joy of analog is the escape we didn’t know we needed. You could write a real letter to someone you love, or keep a journal, just for you! Or put on a record or a full album, don’t skip, and really listen! Sit around a fire at night and tell stories with some loved ones or take film or Polaroid photos and don’t retake them! Try playing cards or board games on a lazy Sunday, unplug for an hour and just be!

Because groovy vibes aren’t on your phone, they’re in your soul.

And sometimes, the best way to move forward is to go back a little.

So if you’ve ever craved that slower, freer way of living… you’re not alone. Here are 3 groovy ways to slow down in a busy world and bring more of that analog joy into your everyday.

Peace and Love ✌🏽

Angie