The Rise of Analog Escapism: How Gen Z Is Rewiring Culture in 2025

Khoshnaw Rahmani, Jadetimes

K. Rahmani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering culture.

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Image Source: Tan E-Reng

The Cultural Shift Making Headlines

In 2025, a quiet but powerful movement is reshaping youth culture: Analog Escapism. As digital fatigue reaches critical mass, Gen Z is turning away from algorithm-driven feeds and toward tactile, intentional experiences. From journaling and vinyl collecting to typewriter poetry and unplugged retreats, analog culture is no longer a nostalgic niche—it’s a global phenomenon. Etsy reports a 40% surge in analog-themed shops, while bookstores, stationery brands, and film camera manufacturers are seeing their strongest sales in over a decade.

This isn’t just a trend—it’s a cultural reckoning. In a world of infinite scroll, Gen Z is choosing to slow down, disconnect, and rediscover the joy of the tangible.

I. What Is Analog Escapism?

Analog Escapism refers to the deliberate embrace of non-digital, tactile experiences as a form of cultural resistance and emotional restoration. It’s not about rejecting technology entirely—it’s about reclaiming balance, agency, and authenticity in a hyperconnected world.

Core Practices Include:

· Handwritten journaling and bullet diaries

· Film photography and Polaroid scrapbooking

· Vinyl records and cassette mixtapes

· Letter writing, zine-making, and typewriter poetry

· Silent reading parties, unplugged retreats, and analog clubs

These practices offer a sense of ritual, permanence, and presence that digital media often lacks.

II. Why Now? The Drivers Behind the Movement

1. Digital Burnout

With screen time averaging over 9 hours per day for Gen Z, many are experiencing cognitive overload, anxiety, and attention fatigue. Analog activities offer a mental reset—slower, more mindful, and free from algorithmic manipulation.

2. Economic Disillusionment

As traditional milestones like homeownership and financial stability become increasingly inaccessible, young people are seeking emotional wins through small, meaningful rituals. A $10 fountain pen or a handwritten letter offers a sense of control and identity that endless scrolling cannot.

3. Cultural Nostalgia

Gen Z’s fascination with the 1990s and early 2000s—seen in fashion, music, and aesthetics—extends to analog tools. Typewriters, Walkmans, and rotary phones are being recontextualized as symbols of authenticity and rebellion.

4. Desire for Authenticity

In an era of curated feeds and influencer fatigue, analog culture feels real. It’s messy, imperfect, and unfiltered—qualities that resonate deeply with a generation craving honesty over polish.

III. The Economic Ripple Effect

Analog Escapism isn’t just a cultural shift—it’s an economic force.

· Stationery sales have surged, with brands like Midori and Leuchtturm1917 reporting double-digit growth.

· Film camera production has resumed at companies like Kodak and Fujifilm to meet demand.

· Vinyl records outsold CDs for the third consecutive year, with Gen Z accounting for 45% of purchases.

· Etsy and independent makers are thriving, offering handmade journals, wax seals, and analog accessories.

This analog economy is rooted in craftsmanship, sustainability, and storytelling—values that align with Gen Z’s ethical consumerism.

IV. Global Expressions of Analog Culture

Tokyo

Analog cafés offer typewriters, rotary phones, and cassette players for in-store use. Customers pay by the hour to write letters or journal in silence.

Berlin

Zine fairs and analog art collectives are flourishing, blending punk aesthetics with mindfulness workshops.

São Paulo

“Desconecta” festivals promote digital detox weekends with yoga, journaling, and analog photography walks.

New York

Bookstores host “silent reading parties” and analog poetry slams, where phones are checked at the door.

V. Analog Escapism vs. Digital Minimalism

While both movements critique digital excess, they differ in tone and intent:

· Digital Minimalism is about reducing screen time and decluttering tech.

· Analog Escapism is about replacing digital habits with tactile, expressive rituals.

One is subtractive; the other is additive. Analog Escapism doesn’t just say “less tech”—it says “more touch, more texture, more time.”

VI. Historical Parallels

This isn’t the first time culture has turned to the analog in times of upheaval:

· 1960s Back-to-the-Land Movement: A response to industrial alienation, emphasizing self-sufficiency and craft.

· 1990s Lo-Fi Indie Scene: A rebellion against commercial polish, celebrating cassette tapes, zines, and DIY ethics.

· Post-9/11 Slow Movements: From slow food to slow travel, these trends emphasized presence and intentionality.

Analog Escapism echoes these moments—but with a distinctly Gen Z twist: it’s global, aesthetic, and digitally self-aware.

VII. The Role of Brands and Institutions

Forward-thinking brands are adapting:

· Moleskine launched a “Digital Detox” notebook with prompts for analog reflection.

· Urban Outfitters now stocks typewriters and film cameras alongside fashion.

· Libraries and museums are curating analog toolkits and hosting unplugged events.

· Mental health apps are integrating analog journaling into their programs, recognizing its therapeutic value.

The message is clear: analog isn’t obsolete—it’s essential.

VIII. Timeline: Key Moments in the Rise of Analog Escapism

· 2020: COVID-19 lockdowns spark renewed interest in journaling and letter writing.

· 2022: TikTok trends like #StationeryAddict and #FilmIsNotDead gain traction.

· 2023: Vinyl sales surpass CDs; analog cafés open in major cities.

· 2024: Etsy reports 40% growth in analog-themed shops.

· 2025: Analog Escapism named a top cultural trend by VML’s Future 100 Report.

IX. What Comes Next?

· Analog education: Schools are reintroducing cursive writing and journaling for cognitive development.

· Hybrid experiences: Events that blend analog rituals with digital storytelling (e.g., zine-making livestreams).

· Sensory design: Brands are investing in tactile packaging, scent branding, and analog-inspired interfaces.

· Cultural preservation: Analog Escapism is fueling interest in archiving, oral history, and physical media restoration.

A Culture Rewritten by Hand

Analog Escapism is more than a trend—it’s a cultural correction. In a world of infinite scroll and algorithmic noise, Gen Z is choosing slowness, substance, and self-authorship. They’re not rejecting technology—they’re rebalancing it. And in doing so, they’re reminding us that sometimes, the most radical act is to pick up a pen, press play on a cassette, and be fully present in the moment.