Turn on, tune in, drop out
Originally coined by Timothy Leary in “The Politics of Ecstasy,” the phrase “turn on, tune it, drop out” was a call to expand consciousness and step outside the system in the 1960s. Leary encouraged counterculture youth to “turn on” to new experiences, “tune in” to higher consciousness, and “drop out” of conformist society.
And right now, conformist society is in deep with the digital age. Stripped of the psychedelics and recontextualized today, perhaps Leary’s groovy quotes can be reframed as a return to living deliberately in this hyperdigitalized world by going back to an analog way of life.
The fact that 2025 felt like a blur for so many people underscores just how fast-paced the world has become. As we head into 2026, there’s a new movement encouraging a shift toward slowing down and embracing a more analog rhythm. Popular videos and memes declaring that “2026 is the new 2016”—Valencia filters and all—signal a longing for 2010s optimism and the carefree fun of indie sleaze.
People are looking to go back to analog to experience life in a fuller, slower, and more intentional way, with a life that’s mindful and better for mental health, too. Here are simple ways to start.
Write it all down
Have a special journal or notebook. Make it a leather-bound Moleskine or a Hobonichi to make it feel even more special. It may seem easier to log everything into your phone calendar, but a cute paper journal gives you space to jot down thoughts that naturally come up as you write.
Writing by hand also slows the mind and encourages reflection. Start by parceling off a few minutes in the morning or before going to sleep.
Pick up an analog hobby
Film photography or a new vinyl collection, anyone? While these hobbies can be more expensive, they also require a little more effort and come with a few values to learn, too. Film photography teaches patience as you wait for rolls to develop, and it forces you to think carefully before every shot, as a film roll isn’t unlimited in the way a phone often is.
Meanwhile, vinyl encourages you to slow down and really listen. You don’t even have to be an artist to start a sketchbook, either. Try drawing a nearby tree or a building that has caught your eye. These practices push you to notice details you’d otherwise miss.
On a budget? The oldest analog hobby of all still works: read a book. Or a physical newspaper, like this one.
Cook without screens
I feel a tangible difference when I cook a recipe following along on my iPad versus reading through a cookbook. Paper recipes give your eyes a rest and allow you to focus on textures, smells, and timing, without screens dimming to time-out or notifications popping up mid-stir.
Next time you travel, use a paper map
Studies show that paper maps provide better context and spatial orientation. Research from the University of South Carolina found that spatial thinking skills, such as direction, distance, comparison, and association, are better developed when using paper maps.
While digital maps offer real-time updates, the tactile, focused experience of a paper map helps you see the forest, not just the trees.
Visit physical archives
If you’re looking to do some research, head to the library. It’s easy enough to make a special request for research in university libraries, and making a day of it can be surprisingly fulfilling.
If you want to make a tour of it, head to the National Library of the Philippines or the special archives of the Lopez Museum. Makati also has the Union Church of Manila Library open to the public. Searching through physical files or stacks can be a more rewarding “search” than a Google query.
Play board games or cards
Replace Netflix night with a game of Pusoy Dos or a board game like Catan. These require physical presence, tactile interaction, and real engagement with the people around you in a way that’s fun, authentic, and screen-free.
Unplug
And do so intentionally. Set self-imposed limits on your screen time. Or, as we say again and again, keep your wake-up and before-bed routines absolutely phone-free, so that this 2026, old souls can slow down, recalibrate, and live the analog way authentically.
