<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A surprising new trend has emerged in the face of 'doomscrolling', 'bed rotting' and algorithms that seem designed to keep us </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology" rel="" target="_blank" title="glued to our screens"><span>glued to our screens</span></a><span>: analogue bags.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's a trendy term for what is essentially just a bag of ordinary stuff, but it's taken off on </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/social-media" rel="" target="_blank" title="social media"><span>social media</span></a><span> in a big way over the last few months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And it could suggest young people are looking to take a break from the increasingly digital world.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/mexico-travel-warning-updated-after-drug-kingpin-killed/23bbf797-93ea-4238-8ce7-842a00ae22e9" target="_blank"><strong><span>Warning to Aussies in tourist hotspot after drug boss killed in shootout</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That's what attracted millennial Keely Jover, 31, to the trend.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's a whole movement of creating a whimsical life," she told nine.com.au.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Romanticising the mundane, creating magical moments for my children and lowering screentime."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/analogue-bag-trend-explainer/5a9e8263-9dec-40ad-88de-a6be2a9ba15c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>What is an analogue bag?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According t o the Millennials and Gen Zs jumping on the trend, analogue bags are full of everything you could need to stay offline.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Popular items include books, crosswords, sudoku and other puzzles, knitting or crocheting supplies, journals and crafts.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many of the items are just 'analogue' versions of things you can do on your phone anyway, like physical books or crosswords instead of mobile puzzle apps or e-books.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Have you got a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter Maddison Leach at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:mleach@nine.com.au" rel="" target="_blank" title="mleach@nine.com.au"><strong><em><span>mleach@nine.com.au</span></em></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The idea is to fill the bag with things that will keep you entertained without having to use your phone.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They're also portable by design, so you can take them on the go and avoid spending hours scrolling on your daily commute or between appointments.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>How do analogue bags work?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Jover discovered the trend through Siece Campbell (@siececampbell), a US TikTok creator widely credited with popularising analogue bags.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"She came up with the concept of an analogue bag as a way for people to keep occupied while lowering their screen time and reconnecting into their physical life," Jover said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I absolutely loved it; having something on hand that would encourage me to be present in the moment."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Queensland mum of two spent a modest $80 on a suede tote bag from Target to create her own analogue bag soon after.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She filled it with things she already owned, including art supplies, a journal, novels, and card games.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LATEST:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/chris-baghsarian-police-search-turns-to-glenorie-bushland/d43cafd9-53ed-44e2-b9e7-275eb3d90441" target="_blank"><strong><span>Torched car found in search for Sydney grandfather forensically linked to abandoned 'stronghold'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Since creating her analogue bag, Jover's screentime has dropped dramatically and she's been able to connect with her family over shared activities.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's also a lot of personal satisfaction in my life as I've been spending time learning a new skill or hobby," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's been really easy to incorporate into my life at home.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Whenever there's' a moment of downtime, it's the perfect thing to reach for."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Why are analogue bags trending?</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Analogue bags are the latest addition to the growing trend of young people seeking ways to reduce their screentime and get offline.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite being raised in the digital age, some Millennials and Gen Zs long for a time when life didn't revolve around social media feeds, algorithms and AI slop.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some have swapped out their smartphones for 'dumb' or 'brick' phones – basic devices that facilitate calling and texting without the high-tech cameras, apps and internet capabilities we've come to expect from mobiles – to slash their screentime.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/lardner-victoria-teenager-assaulted-antisemitic-incident/c7757698-2e51-4fdd-b47e-d85abb099af2" target="_blank"><strong><span>Teen assaulted in suspected antisemitic attack</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some have started collecting physical media like CDs, DVDs and physical novels instead of paying for streaming services.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>And some have adopted analogue bags as an alternative to scrolling social media or watching hours of short-form video content on platforms like TikTok.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The popularity of 'offline' trends has been attributed to digital fatigue among young people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many Millennials and Gen Zs have reported negative mental health impacts as a result of spending too much time online; analogue bags offer a positive alternative.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It also seems fitting that the trend has gained popularity in the almost three months since Australia's under-16s social media ban came into effect.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>That said, many Aussies under the age of 16 have reported still being able to access and use age-restricted social media platforms.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>