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| Summer vision board, part one. I do not own any of these pics. |
First blog post of the year, say what? Somehow, we are officially halfway through 2026. 2025 belongs in the trash can where I left it, but this year has been infinitely better, despite my lack of blogging. Somehow, for me at least, this platform still persists, even though no one really blogs anymore (has the entire world migrated to Substack?). For some reason, this space feels oddly tangible; a good, solid space that waits patiently for me to return to it, even as it gathers virtual dust in the meantime. ☠️
The year’s halfway point is a perfect time for me to reflect on my two words of 2026: analog and free. I’d say I feel decently free, but living a more analog life is something I’d like to pour more effort into.
I feel like I’m constantly saying this (here, there, everywhere), but I want to be more offline. Aside from blogging, writing or other creative pursuits, that is. I realize no one is forcing me to be as connected to the internet as I am, which forces me to face a painful truth: It’s in my power, and my power alone, to form new habits and routines and stick to them.
Growing up, my dad used to have our family set aside Saturdays as something of a Sabbath. We had specific rules for that day about being online less, or not at all. Instead, we focused on art, music, people, God, food, movies - anything but scrolling. I so respect and appreciate my dad for that. That’s a parenting win right there. #GoMike
Now, as an adult who makes her own schedule and rules, I feel myself longing for the discipline of that offline Saturday routine again, the concept of Sabbath and leaning into a mandatory rest from the drain of everyday life. Analog is one of my words for a reason this year, but on further examination, I would like to do a better job of executing what that means for me in my actual day-to-day life. I want to be as offline as possible: reading physical books (hello, Dungeon Crawler Carl series!), listening to records (namely Glass Animals and Sombr), running in the park, laughing with family and friends, making cups of green tea, tending to my plants, learning to cook something, going to a coffee shop. You know...real life.
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| Summer vision board, part two. I do not own any of these pics. |
So, in this second half of 2026, my desire is to be more intentional about leaning into creativity and offline pursuits. I feel I’ve always been a kind of retro person, but in this season of healing, growing and becoming a better version of myself, I owe it to myself to take more time for what’s right in front of me.
PRACTICES TO LEAN INTO:
• Giving away clothes and items that no longer feel like me • Reading books from the library voraciously • Giving myself enough offline time to WRITE and THINK • Distance running • Taking care of plants • Enjoying graphic novels • Blogging • Listening to new records and going record shopping • Drinking green tea • Journaling • Taking nature walks • Going to church • Visiting indie bookstores • Poring over nostalgic books and magazines
I’m really about that old-school life. If Bob Dylan couldn’t do it or access it in the 60s, I don’t want it (within reason LOL). Ultimately, I want to spend more time and energy on things that matter. I recently attended author Joshua Becker’s book tour, and he spoke about how the trappings of the modern world distract us from our purpose and the most precious things. As a result, I want to rid myself of the things that steal my time, energy and joy, and have less: Less stuff. Less time online. Less distraction. More life. THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKIN’ ’BOUT!
