I have recently been introduced to the concept of an "analog bag" aka a pouch you have in the house, or you bring out with you, to give you activities to replace being on your phone. I am adding my 20 minute candle set and a journal to it, but any other recs?

Question

Karen Fischer · Answer

Mitts and baseballs: My husband and I had some second-hand baseball mitts and balls in storage and finally got them this spring. Now, we go on walks a few days a week to a local park and play ABC. This is where we play catch until we finish throwing to the tune of the alphabet 26 times, i.e. A - throw - B - throw - C - throw. Et cetera. We do about eight series of this. It's a good workout! And people really like seeing it.

Marleah · Answer

Nature journaling: Whenever I need to get out of my head/out of work mode/feel more grounded, I get outside with pencil and paper. It’s a meditative practice without actually meditating. It helps me find some joy outside of my life responsibilities!

Laura Messersmith · Answer

Adult Coloring Book & Colored Pencils: I received an adult coloring book and a pack of colored pencils as a gift a few years back and it was honestly one of the best things I’ve been given.

It’s pleasant to do with music on, easy to pick up and put down as the mood strikes (no prep or clean up required) and puts me in a meditative/creative mode as I experiment with different color combinations, shading techniques, etc.

Also super easy to throw in a suitcase for a lo-fi activity when traveling.

Courtney Walker · Answer

Get a really nice pen, doesn’t even have to be expensive, that you like to write with. I have a box of one type of pen, fine tip, only kind I handwrite with and have with every notebook (too many to count) so that I don’t have to keep swapping. It really makes a difference. I’d say also make sure your journal is just enjoyable to write in, the type of paper you like, the size that isn’t just portable but feels good to hold and have on surfaces or in lap and not too cumbersome to carry with unless you carry in bag and like ‘em big. I’m a big music person so headphones with adapter and plug - no Bluetoothand downloaded files rather than streaming if turning everything off on phone and can resist the temptation can also be useful (I try to be as analogue as possible and have an old iPod nano I also use but it may be defeating a particular purpose for you.): It’s a lovely practice to just have these things to nourish you as you move away from online consistency.