As technology evolved over the years, so did habits, trading scrapbooks for Instagram posts and record players for Spotify. Without even realizing it, technology slowly became intertwined with virtually everything.
However, I feel like Gen Z has started to rediscover the art of slowing down and taking a moment for yourself. I’ve seen this idea fostered in many ways: the resurgence of hobbies, social media cleanses, bringing back digital cameras.
A Digital Generation Going Analog
Gen Z is notoriously known for being up to date with technology, keeping up with social media trends, and being glued to our phones 24/7. This reputation is almost inevitable, considering we’ve grown up in an age where technology is easily accessible and new trendy apps are somehow always coming out.
While we can essentially use our phones for just about anything under the sun, staring at the same screen over and over again can become mundane. I’ve recently noticed a cultural shift from digital to analog tools, with traditional record players, scrapbooks, and polaroids all making a comeback.
You could initially chalk this up to the sense of nostalgia these items bring us, but what if this is also our digital generation yearning to be more present? It’s slightly ironic that our tech-savvy generation is the one bringing these classic items back.
Digital cameras are a key example of this; it seems like every college girl has one tucked away in her purse, including me. While you could argue that this might be due to the nostalgic photo quality of digital cameras, I’d like to make the point that these cameras also take us away from our phones.
Taking pictures with friends is now an activity in itself, from looking at photos together to getting them sent the next morning. Rather than immediately editing and posting pictures, you can simply enjoy the experience of taking them.
Having a Hobby is Officially Cool Again
Having a hobby seems like somewhat of a lost art, with the ability to choose to scroll Reels in any free time instead of doing anything else. However, more of Gen Z are sharing their creative pastimes, from scrapbooking to simple coloring and many more.
As someone who used to lie when asked what my hobbies were, I’ve since evolved as well. One new hobby of mine has been doing my own Gel-X nails at home. Not only does this save me and my friends loads of money, but I’ve realized that I genuinely enjoy doing them myself. Putting my favorite tunes on, turning on Do Not Disturb, and solely focusing on applying and painting nails is honestly therapeutic for me.
While this may be a niche hobby, it’s just one of many creative activities that can bring you out of your phone and into the present moment. Perhaps the beauty of having a hobby is that it doesn’t need to serve any purpose other than making me happy.
How I’ve Been Staying Present
I’ve become increasingly aware of how attached I am to my phone, embarrassingly crashing out when I have no service or when my phone dies. To combat this attachment, I’ve been trying to be intentional about taking time away from my phone. Whether it’s journaling, reading a book, or taking a walk, even the simplest activity can help to bring me back into the current moment.
It’s important to make a conscious effort to be more present when spending time with friends as well. We all probably know someone who’s glued to texting on their phone when in a group setting, and honestly, we’ve all probably been that person at some point.
Giving people your undivided attention has made me realize how easy it is to get caught up in what’s happening on your screen rather than what’s happening right in front of you.
A vivid memory I have from starting my new job this summer was when my manager asked if I wanted a notebook or if I would just use my computer for note-taking. He was baffled when I opted for a physical notebook, commenting on how my generation just about always chooses the digital option.
While this seemed like such a small decision at the time, it made me think about how deeply ingrained technology has become in my everyday life, with it being so easy for me to rely on it for just about everything.
Next time you’re faced with a decision like this, consider taking the old-fashioned route. Whether that’s picking up a physical book, trying a new hobby, or simply putting your phone down when you’re with friends, living in the moment doesn’t have to mean completely disconnecting from technology.
In a world that’s constantly moving forward, maybe there’s something special in slowing down.
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