What if your New Year’s resolutions could actually fit into a tote bag? It seems social media users are jumping on the “analog bag” bandwagon, which encourages swapping screen time for more offline activities.
This whole trend seems to have kicked off with Sierra Campbell, a TikTok creator who shared what she keeps in her analog bag. It includes a crossword puzzle book, a portable watercolor set, a Polaroid camera, a planner, and knitting supplies. She invited her followers to create their own bags, leading to a wave of others showcasing items like magazines, playing cards, or puzzle books.
“I put together a bag filled with non-digital things to keep my hands busy rather than scrolling on my phone,” Campbell shared. She remarked that this habit has really helped her cut down on screen time, filling her days with “creative, collaborative pursuits that don’t involve doom scrolling.”
She realized that to change a habit, it’s essential to replace it with another. That small shift can make a big difference.
The science of healthier habits
Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist from California and founder of the Amen Clinic, backs up the analog bag concept. He mentioned that our brains are creatures of habit, and every action we repeat strengthens those neural pathways. “Every time you repeat an action, whether good or bad, it becomes easier to do it again,” he explained in an interview.
Research suggests that habits often stem from specific cues—like boredom or stress—and lead to some kind of reward. When people don’t have alternatives, they might easily slip back into old habits without realizing it.
Instead of trying to suppress these behaviors entirely, it’s much more effective to replace them with new ones linked to the same cues.
When you’re cutting something out, like coffee, it’s key to have something else to drink instead. This is how our brain pathways function. Campbell mentioned that transitioning to a different routine can help weaken old habits while forming new ones.
Amen pointed out that simply stopping a behavior isn’t easy. It’s far better to replace it with something more beneficial for your brain. Making lasting changes is often about taking it one small step at a time.
Doctors highlight that if people have alternatives handy, they’ll likely choose them. They recommend simple actions rather than grand intentions. For instance, instead of saying you’ll stop scrolling through social media, perhaps knit a small scarf on your commute or read a few pages of a book while waiting in line.
Campbell shared her personal approach to using her analog bag. When visiting a coffee shop with friends, if the conversation stalls, she might pull out a crossword puzzle and invite someone to join her. Rather than snapping endless shots with her phone, she opts for her instant camera, which helps her focus on capturing special moments more deliberately.
In more casual settings like parks, she brings a watercolor set for some spontaneous creativity.
Campbell reflected on how much joy this trend has brought her and how it resonates with many others.
