Have you ever noticed how you feel after spending hours scrolling through your phone? That foggy, scattered feeling that leaves you somehow both wired and drained at the same time? Ever considered analog living in a digital world?

I had one of those moments last week – the kind where you suddenly realize you’ve been breathing shallow, scrolling too long, and just generally not feeling okay.

I wasn’t falling apart. But something was frayed.

And oddly enough… a planter full of soil helped put me back together.

(No, this isn’t a metaphor. I literally planted flowers.)

That messy, earthy, analog moment snapped me out of autopilot in a way no screen ever could. My hands were dirty, my mind was quiet—and I felt more like myself than I had in weeks. It was so simple… but so powerful. This is the power of analog living in a digital world.

What Are Soul-Anchoring Analog Habits?

If you’re wondering what “analog” even means, you’re not alone. For some of you who grew up with smartphones in your hands, this might sound like an old-fashioned word—but stick with me.

Simply put, analog is anything that isn’t digital. It’s physical, tangible, real-world stuff. It’s the difference between:

• Reading a paperback book versus reading on a Kindle
• Playing a board game with cards and pieces you can touch versus playing on your phone
• Writing in a journal with pen and paper versus typing notes in an app

Analog activities engage your hands, activate your senses, and—this is key—slow down your brain in a world that’s always speeding you up.

And here’s a pretty amazing perspective: for most of human history, that’s all we had. The digital world as we know it today? Is basically brand new on the timeline of humanity. For thousands of years, people created, connected, learned, and lived completely analog lives.

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I find that so grounding. Because it reminds me that while digital tools are incredible gifts, they’re add-ons to the human experience, not replacements for it.

Why Analog Habits Matter For Your Brain & Spiritual Health

Board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Victoria Dunckley, who specializes in treating complex childhood mental health conditions and writes for Psychology Today, calls it “electronic screen syndrome”—the way our brains get overstimulated, foggy, and fragmented from too much screen time. But she says the flip side is also true: tactile, physical activities can help restore our mental clarity and emotional balance.

Think about it—when was the last time you lost yourself in something that didn’t involve a screen? When did you last consider analog living in a digital world. Maybe you were:

• Cooking a meal from scratch
• Planting flowers in your garden
• Building something with your hands
• Playing an instrument

Remember that feeling? There’s a flow state that happens, a presence that’s hard to find when we’re constantly getting pinged with notifications.

But this isn’t just about neuroscience. For those of us who follow Jesus, there’s a deeper spiritual dimension here.

Scripture repeatedly shows God engaging with people through physical, tangible means:

• God formed Adam from the dust of the ground
• Jesus made mud to heal blind eyes
• God instructed the Israelites to build physical reminders—altars of stone, festivals with specific foods, objects that engaged all their senses

Our faith has always had this beautifully embodied quality to it. We’re not just disembodied souls floating around—we’re physical beings, spirit, soul, and body, created to touch, taste, see, hear, and smell the world around us.

And I can’t help but wonder if some of our spiritual disconnection happens when we spend too much time in the digital realm and not enough time using the bodies God gave us to create, to move, and to make things.

Digital Information vs. Analog Spiritual Transformation

But I want you to think about the digital world…. is mostly about information—quick hits of data, updates, inputs. It’s very fast, often reactive, and doesn’t always lead us somewhere deeper. Analog experiences, on the other hand, create space for transformation. They’re slower. They require presence and participation, not just passive consumption. And that difference matters—especially in our faith. Because transformation happens when we slow down long enough to listen… to pay attention… to engage with God not just mentally, but physically and spiritually too.

And maybe what our souls are really craving isn’t just more information, but the kind of sacred stillness and slow engagement that leads to true transformation.

That contrast is worth sitting with: Digital tools are amazing servants, but they are terrible masters.

The question isn’t whether we should use digital technology—of course we should. The question is: Who’s in control? Is technology serving your higher purposes and values, or are you serving it?

I struggle with this tension every day. I love the convenience of my digital calendar that syncs across all my devices. I’m grateful for texting that lets me check in with my kids, my husband, my friends throughout the day. I appreciate being able to FaceTime with friends across the country.

But I’ve also noticed how easily these tools can hijack my attention, my time, and even my identity if I’m not careful.

5 Faith-Centered Analog Habits to Break Free from Digital Overwhelm

So let’s get practical. How do we make space for more analog living in a digital world? Here are five ideas that have worked for me and others I’ve walked alongside:

1. Create a Screen-Free Morning Ritual

Pick a time—maybe the first hour after you wake up or the last hour before bed—and make it screen-free. Use that time for prayer, journaling, reading a physical book, or talking with family. This sacred morning space sets the tone for your entire day and puts God first, not notifications.

2. Designate Device-Free Zones in Your Home

Designate certain spaces as screen-free. Maybe it’s your dining table, your bedroom, or a reading nook. Fill these spaces with things that invite easy, analog engagement: books, art supplies, board games, or musical instruments. Creating these boundaries helps your family recognize when it’s time to connect with each other, not screens.

3. Rediscover Hands-On Hobbies That Ground Your Soul

What did you enjoy before smartphones existed? Painting? Playing guitar? Woodworking? Baking? Or try something brand new—the important thing is that it engages your hands and senses. These activities don’t just pass time—they help rewire your brain away from digital dependency and toward creative fulfillment.

4. Establish Family Traditions Around Analog Connection

If you have kids, this is huge. They’re watching how you engage with devices, and they’re forming habits based on what they see. Create family traditions around analog activities: game nights, nature walks, cooking together, craft projects. The memories you create here will far outlast any social media trend.

5. Practice a Weekly “Screen Sabbath” for Spiritual Renewal

Consider taking regular breaks from technology—maybe one evening a week, one weekend a month, or whatever rhythm works for your life. Use this time to reset your attention and reconnect with the physical world. This practice isn’t just about avoiding screens—it’s about creating space for God to speak in the quiet.

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress – for analog living in a digital world.

A Simple Challenge: Swap Scroll Time for Soul Time

This week, pay attention to how you feel after different activities. How do you feel after an hour of scrolling social media versus an hour spent on some kind of analog activity? Notice the difference in your energy, your mood, your spiritual connectedness.

Here’s a simple challenge: Swap 30 minutes of scroll time for 30 minutes of soul time.

Yeah, I know—it’s a little catchy and a bit of a tongue twister! Swap scroll time for soul time. But that’s the point. I want it to stick with you.

So the next time you’re deep in a scroll spiral, maybe that phrase will come to mind—and you’ll pause. Put down your screen. And choose something that helps care for your soul instead. Choose analog living in a digital world.

Whatever it is, approach it with curiosity and grace—not as another “should” on your list, but as an invitation to rediscover parts of yourself that may have gotten lost in the digital noise.

Digital tools can bring us speed, efficiency, and instant access to information. They help us connect, share, and get things done. But if that’s all we rely on, I think we miss something sacred.

We also need rhythms that allow for depth… for stillness… for being fully present.

We need spaces where we’re not just informed, but formed. Not just connected, but truly known.

Because the digital world often moves us faster. But the deeper parts of us? They grow slower.

What would happen if we became more intentional about when we choose digital and when we choose analog moments?

Because information fills the mind. But transformation changes the heart. And a life of faith? It needs room for both.

Frequently Asked Questions About Analog Habits

How long does it take to break digital addiction patterns?

Some people suggest it takes about 21 days to start rewiring habits, but that is a myth! Deeper transformation often happens around the 60-90 day mark taking up to 254 days. The good news? You’ll likely feel mental clarity benefits within just a few days of implementing analog practices. Start small—even 30 minutes of screen-free time daily can make a difference.

What are the best analog habits for busy moms?

Look for analog moments that integrate naturally into your day rather than adding one more thing. Try analog cooking (without recipe apps), reading physical books with your children, keeping a gratitude journal by your bedside, or taking a nature walk with your family where all phones stay home. Remember, these aren’t “extra” activities—they’re ways to transform activities you’re already doing.

How do I create screen-free zones when my family resists?

Start with one small area—maybe just the dinner table—and explain the “why” behind it. Share how this space will help everyone connect better. Make it inviting by adding things people enjoy: games, art supplies, books, or conversation starters. Lead by example without lecturing, and celebrate the small wins when you notice deeper connections happening.

Will reducing screen time really improve my spiritual life?

While there’s no guaranteed formula, many believers report deeper prayer experiences, more meaningful Bible study, and greater spiritual sensitivity when they reduce digital noise. The key connection is that both spiritual growth and analog habits share common elements: slowness, presence, focus, and engagement with something beyond ourselves. This isn’t about legalism—it’s about creating space for transformation.

Ready for a Digital Reset That Restores Your Soul?

If you’re feeling the need for more practical help in finding a balance between digital and analog living, I’ve created something just for you.

Take the Screen Time Personality Quiz and get your 3-Day Digital Peace Plan – a free guide to help you reset your screen habits and reclaim your focus. 👉Screen Time Personality Quiz

This free quiz will help you understand your unique digital habits and provide a 3-day digital decluttering plan. It’s packed with faith-centered strategies to help you break free from screen fatigue and reconnect with what truly matters.

You don’t need to toss your phone or move to the mountains to find peace. But if you’ve been feeling distracted, drained, or disconnected… it might be time to do something different.

With you on this journey, Julianne

📲 Grab Your Free Wallpapers
Get your free gallery of truth-filled phone and desktop wallpapers, designed to help you pause, reset, and refocus every time you reach for your device. 👉Digital Wallpaper

Want more tips on healthy tech habits?
Check out Episode 5 and download your FREE Guide to Grayscale with step-by-step screenshots to turn your phone into a calm, less-distracting space. 👉Guide to Grayscale

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